After leaving the Parachute Regiment in 1990, Neil Ballantyne and his wife Michelle moved to the Scottish Borders and founded Ballantynes of Walkerburn with a simple but lasting vision:
'To capture the spirit of positive endeavour, believing that our work will uplift and brighten our customers' lives.'
Now joined by three of their children - James, Isobel, and Stuart, Ballantynes remains a close-knit family business with a dedicated team of 15.
Today, we're proud to be recognised as the UK's leading figurine manufacturer. Our sculptures are presented to elite military and emergency service personnel worldwide, and we work closely with a growing number of corporate and institutional clients.
Alongside our sculpture work, our Special Bottle Service and engraved crystal range have become established and highly valued parts of what we offer - from personalised presentations to bulk-branded solutions
As we grow, we continue to embrace new technologies, including powering our production with renewable solar energy. But while much has evolved, our purpose remains the same:
To create meaningful, lasting pieces that reflect pride, identity, and achievement.
Ballantynes remains a family business. We are committed to creating products that commemorate a lifetime of service, celebrate achievement, and recognise the dedication behind every role.
Every piece is carefully handcrafted. No two items are exactly alike.
When you choose Ballantynes, you're choosing a small, specialised team that takes pride in its work - whether it's a statue, a bottle, or a piece of engraved crystal.
It's a range that is second to none
When Henry Ballantyne founded Walkerburn in the 19th century, it was to support the workers of his tweed mill. Today, we carry forward that heritage of valuing the people who make our work possible.
The Ballantynes team is made up of around 15 people, including several who have been with us for over 20 years. They bring creativity, skill, and care to every item that leaves our factory - and we believe their hard work shows in every detail.
We work with clients across the globe - from the British military and emergency services to international corporations and private individuals. They choose us for the quality that speaks for itself in every figurine, bottle, and glass that leaves our factory - but it doesn't stop there.
As a family-owned and fully independent business, we protect our values at every stage of production. You're not just working with a supplier - you're working with a manufacturer that stands behind every piece we make.
Our close-knit team includes four senior craftsmen who have worked with us for more than two decades, giving us the wealth of experience it takes to create detailed and accurate sculptures and engravings.
Every decision we make is first driven by our duty to deliver the finest quality items to our customers. Then, we prioritise our team, paying above the living wage and providing secure employment.
We protect our reputation for incredible quality by keeping all our statue production in-house, all the time. When you buy from us, you can be confident your item has come directly from our factory on the banks of the River Tweed.
It's not just our figurines. We source all of our bases, trays and packaging materials from UK-based suppliers, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and feeding back into our economy.
Beyond our ongoing reductions in waste materials, we refit our factory in 2015 to be more energy efficient. Our 30kW solar array provides more carbon free electricity than we use, protecting the serene environment around us without compromising on production.
Uniquely, our approach blends the traditional techniques and skills of craftspeople with modern technology including precision design using the latest CAD technology.
Every case is unique and made to fit it's statue. The inner rubber mold has to regularly be repoured from the master to maintain the detail in each casting.
Using our secret recipe which we've perfected over the years, the bronze resin is mixed, poured into the mold and cured.
Once the resin is set the statue is carefully removed from the mold. Next the base is sanded smooth and it moves to Fettling and Assembly.
In fettling the seam lines are removed and any imperfections in the casting repaired. The statues are also assembled, some are cast in multiple parts and finer details like rifles are made in pewter since resin would break to easily.
Once the statue is assembled it moves on for touching up. Here a special bronze resin is used blend the statue and pewter parts into a seamless piece.
In a final finish the statues recieves a coat of lacquer which seals the bronze and gives it extra lustre.
In final assembly of the statue the brass plate is engraved with the wording and mounted on the wooden base. A cap badge can also be added to the statue.
Each statue is packed in special expanding foam to offer maximum protection wherever in the world it is going.
