This 9-day creative experience combines a series of workshops with local makers, talks and tours of textile studios, with exploring the island and learning about its history and heritage. We’ve also included a luxury boat trip to the nearby Isle of Raasay.
With its wealth of long established as well as new enterprises the Isle of Skye, the largest of the Inner Hebrides, has grown into a textile destination buzzing with creativity.
This unique textile adventure includes:
> Full-day weaving workshop using hand-dyed wool/silk yarn at Skye Silks
> Half-day yarn dyeing workshop using local plants at Shilasdair Yarns
> Full day at Island at the Edge croft including introductory workshop to spinning and wool processing; full croft tour (meet the sheep!)
> Full day workshop at The Handspinner Having Fun – choose between felting and peg loom weaving
> Dorset Button making workshop with TJ Frog
> Optional knitting session
> Luxury day tour by boat to the Isle of Raasay, with opportunity to visit Raasay Distillery and Raasay Gallery
> Storytelling session with local storyteller Seoras MacPherson
> Visits to Skye Skyns, Skye Weavers, West Coast Weavers
> Day of touring including visit to Dunvegan Castle
and for your comfort:
> 8 overnight stays at tasteful, high quality accommodation in Portree
> 8 continental style breakfasts
> 3 lunches
> 7 evening meals
> All workshop materials
> All transportation during tours
> Pick up at Kyle of Lochalsh on arrival day
> Drop off at Kyle of Lochalsh on departure day
> Admissions to sites during tours
> Surprise gift bag
> Personalised service and detailed pre-travel information by email
> Support of 2 tour leaders throughout
> Financial protection insurance
Your tour leaders
Wild at Art director Ute Amann-Seidel and textile maker Lucy MacLeod will be your hosts and accompany the group throughout the experience. We deeply care about your safety and wellbeing – and also very much for your enjoyment! Together with all the local partners involved in the trip we work to ensure everything goes smoothly and that you get as much as possible out of the experience.
Our accommodation
Two charming historic buildings in the island capital Portree will be our homes during the trip.
Historic Seafield House, nestled on the shores of Portree Bay is a substantial Georgian House dating from the 1830’s. It is located within its own grounds and walled garden, from where it offers beautiful views across the sea. You may even see an otter in the bay or an eagle flying over Ben Tianavaig!
The other house is the nearby Old Mill. Built over 200 years ago, the house is the main part of Portree’s former grain mill, retaining attractive original features. Above a burn, flanked by beech trees and close to the shore, it commands fine views across to the Isle of Raasay. Over three floors linked by a spiral staircase, the house has high quality, flexible accommodation. The middle floor is an attractive open plan living area with a multi-fuel stove and the original mill stone.