Weaving retreats
Unwind, learn new skills and explore!
Weaving on our 85 year old Hattersley loom and wooden Glimakra floor loom, other crafts, island exploration and relaxation
- self-catering accommodation provided including full use of sauna (breakfast and dinner not included),
- lunches of soup, bread and cake are included on days at the studio
- transport to and from accommodation/studio and on arrival/departure included and excursions out
- maximum four guests on any retreat, if booking solo please be aware the rooms and bathroom are shared
- for food shopping we offer a tesco/coop run on arrival and there is a regular bus service so easy to pop to town in the evening for extra supplies
- there aren't any restaurants nearby but if you fancy a meal out you can easily go into Stornoway by bus or taxi
7 Day Retreats
(8 nights)
Fully immerse yourself
Arrival; collection from ferry or airport terminal, trip to a supermarket and settle into accommodation
Over the course of the retreat we will;
- Discuss how to design a tweed, colour theory and patterns
- Create your own individual warp, designed by you and tailored to your loom requirements at home (if you don't have a loom (yet!) you are still very welcome to make a warp to have as decoration or to inspire future weaving projects)
- We will make the main warp for the Hattersley loom, learn chaining up, beaming on, drafting, tying-in, and setting up
- You will then learn how to weave on the Hattersley loom, use the pirn winder, choose your weft colours and create a length of cloth to take home
- You will also weave on the Glimakra floor loom and create a rug to take home in your own design, we won't set the Glimakra up but you can discuss how it works and ask questions
- We will do craft activities of your choice - we can learn spinning so you can learn how to create yarn to use in your weaving at home. Cushion/scarf/lampshade/neckwarmer making session - learn how to manipulate tweed and disparate lining fabrics, set in a zip or make a lampshade. Button/brooch making, ceramics in the microkiln, knitting if you want to learn to knit, we could do cards, painting if you want to learn to use watercolours - I do a lot of different crafts so I'm sure there will be something new for everyone
- everyone will have private weaving sessions on the wooden and Hattersley looms, and group activity sessions learning other crafts
- price includes two tour guided excursion days, lunch (except excursion days), all yarn for your warp, the fabric you will take home, enough tweed/fabric to create a keepsake cushion or lampshade etc and your rug (dependent on project there may be additional material charges e.g. if you are already competent in sewing and want to make a more complex larger project then the additional tweed will be charged at cost)
Excursion 1: We provide a private tour of the island in partnership with a local tour guide. This can be tailored to where the guests want to visit but he recommends a loop of the westside visiting Callanish Stones, Carloway Broch, Norse Mill and Kiln, South Bragar Machair, Whalebone Arch, Arnol Blackhouse, Brue Sheiling and Clach an Triuseil Standing Stone. You will need to bring your own lunch/snacks.
Excursion 2: Again our private tour guide will take you to visit the island, his recommendation for this trip is to Harris - stop at tarbert for toilets/hot drinks, visit the Distillery and Harris Tweed shop, Luskentyre beach and St Clemants church, plus see all the spectacular scenery on route! you will need will need to bring your own lunch and snacks
Departure; transport to ferry or airport
all flexible to guests requirements, additional meters of the tweed can be purchased and posted back to guests at cost
Days run from around 9am with a mid morning break including hot drinks and biscuits, lunch at around 1pm finish at around 3.30pm
We are happy to cater to any dietary requirements and local supermarkets are reasonably well stocked for gluten free, dairy free, vegan etc.
Available dates:
November 14th - 22nd 2026 - BOOK HERE
February 20th - 28th 2027 - BOOK HERE
November 13th - 21st 2027 - BOOK HERE
February 19th - 27th 2028 - BOOK HERE
Additional Supplement for booking a single occupancy bedroom or for booking a partner/friend in who isn't doing the retreat - BOOK HERE
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, 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.
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.
