Hazel Basketry
Course

Learn How To Weave A Hazel Backpack With Lorna Singleton

LOCATION

Pitlochry

PLACES

8 Total

2025 DATES

4 - 8 June

Full, waitlist only

PRICE

£595 inc. camping

Fully Catered

BOOK

HERE

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 designed this backpack and now teaches how to make it. 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 backpack. Lorna will expertly guide you through the process from collecting hazel, processing it into strips, basket design and then finally weaving the backpack.

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

How to identify hazel, what makes a suitable rod for basketry and how to harvest it responsibly
How to strip hazel weavers and make ribs using safe knife technique
How to dress weavers with a knife.
Laying out the base and turning the sides of the backpack
How to make a sandwich and sew rim
Strap making

Weaving Course Details

LOCATION

Pitlochry

PLACES

8 Total

2025 DATES

4 - 8 June

PRICE

£595 inc. camping

Fully Catered

BOOK

HERE

Please contact us if you are unsure about any of the items on the kit list

CLOTHING

Underwear/socks for the duration of the course
2/3 pairs of trousers - ideally robust yet quick drying.
2/3 base layers - t shirts or merino wool
Mid- range layer - light fleece or wool shirt
Warm layer - larger fleece/wool jumper
Waterproof and windproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Warm hat and gloves
Scarf for colder months
1 pair sturdy waterproof boots (you'll need sturdy shoes for the materials processing).
1 pair of camp shoes - old trainers are ideal.
Old scruffy clothes or overalls that you don't mind getting dirty (for the materials processing).

OPTIONAL

Gardener's knee pads or similar
Gardener's gloves
Any yarn you'd like to make into rope
Webbing or similar for straps
Camera
Books
Knife - no cutting tools are necessary as we will provide all tools
Fishing kit - We have access to a beautiful section of the River Tummel which has excellent trout fishing. Its fly fishing only and you will need to pick up an Pitlochry Angling Club permit in advance of the course.

EQUIPMENT

Small day sack (35 litres or so)
Larger rucksack for all gear
Dry bags for waterproofing clothes in daypack
Tent or Tarp and Hammock
Sleeping pad/mat
Sleeping bag, 3 season or two lighter bags
Headtorch and spare batteries
Wash kit, towel and swimming kit for the river (optional!)
Personal medication and small first aid kit
Sun block
Insect repellant - we like Smidge, it works well on our midges
Midge headnet (only in case of infrequent bad evenings) - best are also made by 'Smidge'.
Bowl, plate, mug, knife fork, spoon.
Water bottle
Notebook and pencil

Travel and arrival - Detailed joining instructions will be sent out to you well in advance of the course commencing. This will include where to meet, parking arrangements and options for public transport. If coming by train, Pitlochry is the closest station and we can offer a complimentary pick up/drop off service for up to 4 clients per course on a first come first serve basis. Please inform us on your booking form whether you require a pick up service from the station. ** PLEASE DON'T book public transport or accommodation until 8 weeks before the course start date as this is when we will confirm that the course will go ahead and that we have enough participants (usually minimum of 6)**.
Accommodation - This course includes on-site camping. You will need to provide your own tent/tarp and hammock or other. We may be able to loan you a tent if you are stuck. Camping is wild but there plenty of excellent flat sites. All other facilities are provided including large group areas, a kitchen and a toilet. If you don't want to camp, there is an option at some sites to stay off-site and join the course each day, however to have the best experience it is recommended to camp on location. We can suggest off-site options if you contact us well in advance of the course.
Food and Drink - This course is fully catered from the arrival evening (light supper) until lunch the final day and we are experienced at providing excellent quality food to groups. We can cater for most common dietary requirements including vegetarians and pescatarians but we ask people with celiac disease or other dietary requirements to inform us upon booking so we can make sure that we can cater for you. We have an ample drinking water on site. Alcohol is prohibited on all courses except the cooking/food courses.
Weather/conditions. We feel very at home in the outdoors and we will set up a camp that will provide adequate food and shelter to keep you comfortable in all weather. We are in Scotland however and so weather can be changeable and unpredictable! Please make sure you bring suitable clothing as per the kit list and contact us if you are at all unsure about what to bring. Courses will not be cancelled due to bad weather.
Age requirements - 16 - 18 welcome if accompanied by an adult, otherwise 18+.
Fitness/ability - Our courses are not strenuous, but they all require a minimum level of fitness. Aside from some craft courses, most courses involve walks out from camp on woodland paths or over some uneven ground. As a guide, you should therefore be fit and able enough to cope with walks of up to about 3km over this terrain. There will be a walk of around 1.5km from the parking site to base camp, we will however be able to drive your gear in for you so you don't have to carry it. Our courses are also hands-on experiences which are educational and we expect students to get involved and not view the course as a normal holiday or demonstration style event.
Payment - We take a deposit upon booking and the full balance is due 8 weeks before the course. If we cancel the course for any reason (unforeseen circumstances or not enough participants) then we will refund 100% back to you. See our full Terms and Conditions.
Insurance - We have comprehensive liability insurance and risk assessments, but we recommend that you have a basic level of insurance which covers yourself and your possessions for adventurous activity - no outdoor activity is free from all risk.
First Aid/Medical - Your course leader will be trained to First Response Emergency Care level 4 (Ambulance ECA) and will carry a comprehensive first aid kit with the group at all times. Please bring with you plenty of any required personal medication.
Toilets/showers - We set up a 'woodland composting toilet' - private tent with toilet seat over a big hole. Its hygienic, pleasant, ecologically sensitive to our special sites and private. We dig a fresh hole for every group. On courses longer than a weekend we also set up an expedition style shower and water can be heated up over the fire.

What happens if I'm late for a course? Please keep us informed on your journey if you are going to be late.

Where do I park and is it safe? Parking for the walk can be in Aberfeldy town and the indoor venue has parking on site.

Do you allow dogs? I'm afraid not. In our experience dogs are very hard to manage around our kitchen and food so unfortunately we have a no dog policy.

Do most people come on their own? Yes they do, and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and like-minded people. We also have many people that choose to come with a friend or family member who also wants to have an awesome time.

Do I need prior experience? Not at all. Some courses are aimed at a more advanced level but this is made clear in the course description. Most courses cater for all abilities including absolute beginners.

Are there any hazards or risks I should be aware of? There's no such thing as completely risk-free outdoor activities. Your course leader has 20 years of experience of bushcraft and running these types of courses so rest assured the risks have been carefully assessed and mitigated as best as is possible. You are in good hands and a full safety brief will be given for all activities.

What is your cancellation policy? Full terms and conditions are available here but basically;

You'll get a 100% refund if we cancel the course (almost never for weather, sometimes if there are not enough bookings but 8 weeks in advance of the course)
If you have to cancel then we will always try to refill the course place, and if we can we will refund you in full.
Full course fee is due 8 weeks before course
- If you cancel 4 - 8 weeks before the course you are liable for 50% of the course fee.
- If you cancel less than 4 weeks before the course then you are liable for 100% of the course fee
- This is due to the fact that courses involve a large amount of planning and expense in advance.
- Sometimes we can transfer you to another course if there is availability.

4th - Arrive at 1900, camp orientation & light supper

5th

Working in an ancient hazel coppice that hasn't been worked for 50 years, you will learn how to select and cut hazel for basketry. We harvest all the materials we need for the project.

7th

Begin to weave your own backpack

6th

We prepare the materials ready for weaving

8th

Continue weaving your backpack, creating the rim and straps.

This course is run from the majestic Bonskeid Estate near Pitlochry. A mature mixed woodland site on the banks of the River Tummel, this site has an ancient 8 acre mature hazel coppice perfect for making these baskets! 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. We offer a complimentary train pick up service from Pitlochry rail station for up to 4 clients per course on a first come-first serve basis. There is ample private parking on site for those travelling by car.

Hazel coppice used for basket weaving course

Hazel Basketry Course

Learn How To Weave A Hazel Backpack With Lorna Singleton

Weaving Course Syllabus

Weaving Course Details

Hazel Basketry
Course