FIELD NOTES · FOLKLORE · CANDLECRAFT
Notes from the waterline.
Stories, places and practical notes from around the Minch — from old folklore and remote lighthouses to the quieter details of candles and the way we use them.
THE JOURNAL
A little further
beyond the candle.
The names in our collection come from somewhere. Behind them are stretches of water, headlands, northern skies, seafarers and stories passed down through generations.
The Journal is where we explore those stories properly — alongside useful notes on fragrance, wax, candle care and the small rituals that make a room feel like your own.
START HERE
Stories of the Minch.
ALL NOTES
From the Journal.
The latest stories, guides and field notes from The Minch Candle Co.
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What Is a Candle Warmer and How Does It Work?
A clear guide to candle warmers: how lamp and plate styles work, which candles suit them, and the safety and fragrance trade-offs.
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Wildlife of the Minch: What Lives Between the Highlands and Hebrides
Meet some of the whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds and other wildlife associated with the Minch, with realistic advice for watching without disturbance.
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Seabirds of the Minch: What to Look For
A practical guide to seabirds of the Minch, including gannets, auks, shearwaters, shags, gulls and skuas, with seasonal and responsible-watching advice.
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When Should You Stop Burning a Candle?
Know when a candle is finished, why wax must remain in the jar, and which flame, wick and vessel warning signs mean stop immediately.
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Why Does a Candle Smoke After You Blow It Out?
The science behind a candle’s wispy after-smoke, how it differs from soot while burning, and how to extinguish candles more neatly.
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Soy Wax vs Paraffin Wax Candles: What’s the Difference?
Soy or paraffin? The answer is less clear-cut than candle marketing sometimes suggests. Here’s what genuinely differs between the two waxes — and what matters more than the wax alone.
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Can Candles Get Mouldy? Everything You Need to Know
Candles rarely develop mould, but damp storage and surface contamination can make it possible. More often, what looks like mould on a soy candle is harmless wax frosting.