Coopering (spirits) - Heritage Crafts |

Status

Currently viable

Craft category

Wood

Historic area of significance

Scotland

Area practiced currently

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Current No. of professionals (Main income)

202 time served coopers

Current No. of trainees

118 apprentices in 2025

Issues affecting the viability

The need for casks is entirely driven by market requirement. At the moment there have been no issued raised regarding material shortages or lack of tutor coopers,.

Support organisations

Training organisations

The National Cooperage Federation oversees apprenticeships for coopers in the UK, ensuring a standardized, four-year program that combines practical skills with theoretical knowledge and a focus on traditional techniques.

In 2025 there are 118 apprentices in various stages of their 4 year apprenticeship. Members of the NCF predict they will recruit a further 33 apprentices in 2025.

Overview:

The National Cooperage Federation (NCF) plays a crucial role in the preservation and development of the cooper trade in the UK, which focuses on the making and repairing of wooden casks and barrels, particularly those used in the whisky industry.

Apprenticeship Program:

The NCF oversees a 4-year apprenticeship program designed to train young individuals in the art and skill of coopering. It is a work-based, assessed program, with a focus on developing practical skills and techniques in the craft. The first three years are dedicated to learning the history of coopering and the physical craft techniques before moving into mechanical cooperage in the fourth year.

The apprenticeship is assessed and governed by the NCF as an independent body that oversees all cooperages in the UK.

Craftspeople currently known

The National Cooperage Federation carry out an annual survey of coopers and have confirmed that, in 2021, there were 284 coopers making spirit casks in 16 UK companies.

This is a significant increase on figures from 2019 and there has also been an increase in trainees to replace older coopers who are coming up to retirement.

References

‘I’ll do it till I die: Rolling out the barrel with the last master cooper’, The Telegraph
Kilby, Kenneth, (1977) The Village Cooper
Kilby, Kenneth, The Cooper: a short history, unpublished manuscript
Kilby, Kenneth, (1971) The Cooper and his Trade
Kilby, Kenneth, (2004) Coopers and Coopering
Gilding, Bob, The Journeymen Coopers of East London, History Workshop Pamphlets Number Four

Red List reviewers 2025

Our thanks go to our 2025 reviewers:

National Cooperage Federation – Survey of members 2025
Clerk, Worshipful Company of Coopers

We consult with a wide range of practitioners and organisations to review and update the Red List. Some choose to remain anonymous but all feedback is taken into account.

If you would like to suggest any changes or additions to this page please contact us here

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