Weaving & Craft Retreats
Unwind, learn new skills and explore!
Come and stay in our cosy cottage and enjoy a week of crafts/weaving, island exploration and relaxation
- self-catering accommodation including full use of sauna (breakfast and dinner not included),
- lunches of homemade soup, bread and cake included on days at the studio
- transport to and from accommodation/studio and on arrival/departure included
- two excursion days with a local island tour guide for a fantastic day out
- for food shopping we offer a tesco/coop run on arrival, and can take you to the local shop for top-ups
- There is a regular bus service so easy to pop to town in the evening
- There aren't any restaurants nearby but if you fancy a meal out you can easily go into Stornoway by bus or taxi
Weaving Retreats
(7 days)
This course is aimed at weavers looking to learn new skills or those interested in learning to weave as our warping, beaming on and tying-in skills are transferable to smaller wooden looms. We are only taking bookings from groups of four, if you don't have a group to come with I can make a list and if we get four folks interested we can book you in together. We will only be carrying out two retreats per year with a maximum of eight spaces per year!
We will collect folks from the accommodation at around 10am, have lunch around 12.00 and then finish at around 3pm.
Arrival; you are welcome to arrive one or two days early to give you time to recover from the journey and get ready for the activities. Our tour guide will collect from ferry or airport terminal, take you on a trip to a supermarket and bring you to the accommodation
Day 1;
Create your own warp/rug weaving. One guest will work with me on their warp and one will go with Martha in the morning to weave their rug, the remaining two can participate in a craft activity with our other sister Mary or watch the warping, we are flexible to what you guys want to do and usually find folks enjoy watching each other! In the afternoon we will rotate so that every person gets a morning/afternoon to warp/weave their rug.
- we will discuss how to design a warp, colour theory, tweed patterns and tweed basics.
- you will design your own 8m long warp from a choice of colours, then using six cones learn how to make the warp on our warping frame - in particular how to make the all important cross! The width can be varied depending on how fast you warp and how wide your loom is.
- you will chain your warp off and choose a weft colour to take home to weave your tweed on your own loom.
- each person will have the chance to weave a rug on the wooden Glimakra floor loom. You will go with my sister Martha to her house, learn about the wooden loom and how it works, discuss how to set it up (this will already be done as it is very time consuming) then weave your own rug using your choice of selvedge from the colours we have available.
Day 2;
Own warp making/ rug weaving
- We will continue as we did yesterday with folks making their own warps and weaving their rugs on the wooden loom.
Day 3;
Main warp day!
-As a group you will design the warp to go onto the Hattersley loom and help Martha as she creates the 40+ meter long warp, 696 threads wide! Each person will get to try making the cross with 12 threads and then help chain up the finished warp
- together you will beam the warp onto the loom, learning about tension, using the raddle and how to ensure the threads remain in order
- we will talk about drafting and have a practical of how to switch the draft order
- you will then learn how to tie-in using a weavers knot
Day 4;
Excursion day!
- A full day guided tour with a local experienced tour guide. Bring your own lunch but stops for hot drinks will be arranged. Listen to his wealth of local knowledge and become immersed in the island culture and history.
- For the first excursion day our guide will take you around the west side of the island, visiting Callanish stones, Carloway Broch, Carloway Mill (dependent on them being open), Garenin blackhouses (again dependent on it being open), Shawbost Norse Mill and Kiln, Bragar Whale Bone arch, Arnol Blackhouse and Clach an Triuseil Stone (depending on time!). He is very flexible and happy to amend and change the route if folks prefer. He also adds special surprise extras!
Day 5:
Weaving and Crafts
- The most important task today is to sew the ends on the rugs you have all woven! Each person will learn how to sew the hem and sew it themselves on my sewing machine. I will then finish the rugs in my washing machine (as they are machine washable which is very helpful) and get them dry ready to take home! You can either take the rug home with you at the end of the retreat or I can post it back for you at cost
- taking it in turns you will all learn how to weave on the Hattersley loom, what to look out for, how to get the right speed, and pressure, loading the shuttle and keeping an eye for when it runs out! Don't worry we will be right there with you!
- Each person will get half a day to weave their own piece to take home, this usually gives around 2-3m worth of fabric.
- Chose your own weft colours and see how much the tweed changes when you put a different weft through. Plan a specific colour pattern repeat or go random!
- While one person weaves another can be on pirn duty. Learn how to use the pirn winder then wind pirns for each other while they are weaving
- If folks wish they can watch the weaving process or participate in another activity
Day 6;
Weaving and Crafts
- the folks who haven't woven will get their turns on the loom while everyone else can participate in a different activity or watch the weaving
- we can then either, send your pieces with the rest of the roll to the mill, to get finished to then post to you in a few months time, or we can hand finish so you can take them home when you leave.
- any additional fabric from the roll you designed can be purchased by the meter at a 30% discount
Day 7;
Excursion day!
- This time you will go down south to Harris, our private tour guide will take you to at least one of the spectacular beaches, the distillery (if open), the Harris Tweed shop, historic buildings and the stunning scenery. He has a few options for this trip so it can be tailored to the groups wishes. Again you will need to bring your own lunch and snacks
Departure; transport to ferry or airport
We are happy to cater to any dietary requirements and local supermarkets are reasonably well stocked for gluten free, dairy free, vegan etc.
Preferred available dates, happy to adjust around these times but unfortunately due to our busy tourist season we can only offer retreats in the winter:
November 14th - 22nd 2026
February 20th - 28th 2027
November 13th - 21st 2027
February 19th - 27th 2028
Obviously with the retreats being held in the winter there are risks of transport delays due to weather. I have left plenty of time on either side of the dates to accommodate weather delays, so if folks are delayed arriving we can move the days back and if folks can't leave, don't worry we won't kick you out! Just be aware this could happen and factor in contingency plans to your travel plans.
Please bring waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes/boots, we would recommend wearing older clothes for the retreat as potential for oil from loom etc.
Please also be aware we have dogs and we will be working with pure wool products if you have allergies
If you would like to stay longer before or afterwards to see the island some more, very happy to offer the accommodation for extremely reduced rates for a longer stay
Rooms are twin shared rooms
Accomodation
Bedroom 1; downstairs, two twin beds (in the summer and in the photos we have a super-kingsize but we split it into two singles so folks don't have to share), TV, chest of drawers, wardrobe and original artworks
Bedroom 2; upstairs, with two twin beds, chest of drawers and hanging hooks, antique furniture and original artworks
Living room; upstairs, with a feature decorative fireplace, comfy three seater couch, armchair, TV, upcycled loom beam lamp, desk and chair, original artworks and plenty of textiles!
Stairs; upcycled driftwood light feature, window seat for cosy reading nook
Kitchen/Diner; four seater dining table with feature driftwood light fixture, upcycled vintage sideboard kitchen unit, antique furniture, induction hob, oven, sink, fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster, window seat and lots of textiles and art everywhere!
Bathroom; downstairs, walk-in shower, toilet, sink, freestanding bath, heated lit-up mirror, handmade accessories and art
Sauna room; a four person sauna with changing area and additional shower! (separate entrance to main house)
Utility room; washing machine, tumble dryer, drying rack, iron / ironing board, sink (separate entrance to main house)
Fiber optic broadband in the holiday cottage for all your needs
Obviously with the retreats being held in the winter there are risks of transport delays due to weather. I have left plenty of time on either side of the dates to accommodate weather delays, so if folks are delayed arriving we can move the days back and if folks can't leave, don't worry we won't kick you out! Just be aware this could happen and factor in contingency plans to your travel plans.
Both rooms are twin shared rooms, so if booking individually please be aware you will be sharing. If you wish to have a single room you are very welcome to pay a supplement to secure that bed so you don't have to share. We are also very happy to offer a discounted rate for a couple to book together but with only one of them doing the course.
