Hazel Basketry
Course
Learn How To Weave Hazel With Lorna Singleton
LOCATION
Pitlochry
PLACES
8 Total
2026 DATES
3 - 7 June
PRICE
£595 inc. camping
Fully Catered
Hazel grows freely around the country and traditionally Hazel Basketry has been practiced all over Europe. Sadly, however, Hazel Basketry was listed as 'Critically Endangered' as a Heritage Craft in 2021 with very few artisans still practicing this ancient craft.
Inspired by a research trip to Romania in 2019, Lorna Singleton, one of the UKs most accomplished basket weavers now teaches this ancient skill. Join Lorna on this exciting collaboration which aims to be a 4-day immersion into Hazel Basketry.
The aim of this course is to give you the skills to collect and process hazel into weaveable material and then learn how to weave your own hazel basket. Lorna will expertly guide you through the process from collecting hazel, processing it into strips, basket design and then finally weaving
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We are excited to be able to run this course from a stunning ancient hazel coppice, on the banks of the River Tummel, where hazel was last collected and worked over 50 years ago. What joy to reinstate this woodland as a working Wood where materials can be harvested sustainably once again to create beautiful and functional craft.
The process involves a good deal of knife work and a long time preparing materials so be prepared to get engrossed in making strips before we start weaving! (The kettle will always be on though as we sit around the fire and trade stories...)
There will also be the opportunity to use a rope making machine to make straps using wool yarn. If you'd prefer to use webbing or other materials, then please bring them along and let’s get creative!
This course is suitable for beginners although experience of weaving is helpful.
Weaving Course Syllabus
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How to identify hazel, what makes a suitable rod for basketry and how to harvest it responsibly
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How to strip hazel weavers and make ribs using safe knife technique
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How to dress weavers with a knife.
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Laying out the base and turning the sides of the basket
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How to make a sandwich and sew rim
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Strap making
Weaving Course Details
This course is run from the majestic Bonskeid Estate near Pitlochry. A mature mixed woodland site on the banks of the River Tummel. The wood is full of wildlife and we are truly privileged to be able to run our courses from this special site.
Full joining instructions and arrival details will be sent out well in advance of the course.
This site is close to Pitlochry, right off the A9, and so is very accessible by car. There is ample private parking on site for those travelling by car. There is a train station in Pitlochry and taxi companies in Pitlochry which can transfer you to the course meeting point (10 minute journey).
