Next week, a Wishaw tattoo artist will travel to Edinburgh as the convention that he founded celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Jim Aitken, who is based in Main Street Tattoo in the center of the town, also runs The Scottish Tattoo Convention. In addition to hosting over 200 tattoo artists, they will complete over 500 tattoos over one weekend at O2 Academy Edinburgh.
And after a break of three years due to the pandemic, Jim can’t wait to return to the venue on March 25 and 26.
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He said: “There isn’t an event like this in Scotland so after such a long gap it’ll be good to get back.
“The first one we had was back in 2011 and we were all set to celebrate out 10th convention back in 2020. All was done and locked down a couple of weeks earlier.
“This will be the first time in three years we will have seen a lot of the people so I think everyone is looking forward to it.
“Aside from the tattoo artists we have got some fantastic entertainment such as magicians, venders, body piercing and nail bars.”
Jim has been in tattoo shops over 25 years. He’s seen the industry flourish, as well as the increase in female artists.
He added: “When I was younger I was fascinated by tattoos. I used to go down to Davie O’Brien’s shop in Wishaw and to see the colour and the noise was brilliant.
“I was desperate to get my first one and it just went on from there.
“It has certainly become more mainstream these days. It all started with musicians in the 80s and 90s and now it’s footballers with full sleeves.
“It has become a lot more inclusive. In Wishaw more than 50 per cent of our artists are female, it’s open to everyone.”
“Aside from the tattoo artists we have got some fantastic entertainment such as magicians, venders, body piercing and nail bars.”
Jim has worked in tattoo shops for over 25 years. He’s seen the industry flourish, as well as the increase in female artists.
He added: “When I was younger I was fascinated by tattoos. I used to go down to Davie O’Brien’s shop in Wishaw and to see the colour and the noise was brilliant.
“I was desperate to get my first one and it just went on from there.
“It has certainly become more mainstream these days. It all started with musicians in the 80s and 90s and now it’s footballers with full sleeves.
The Scottish Tattoo Convention will take place in Edinburgh’s O2 Academy on March 25-26. Tickets cost £20 and are available on the door.
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“It has become a lot more inclusive. In Wishaw more than 50 per cent of our artists are female, it’s open to everyone.”
The Scottish Tattoo Convention will take place in Edinburgh’s O2 Academy on March 25-26. Tickets cost £20 and are available on the door.
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