Learn Traditional Crafts

at Naturally Useful on Marcassie Farm in Scotland

Join our Hands-On Learning Residencies Programme and learn basket weaving, felting, spinning, natural dyes, textiles, eco-printing, knife making, woodworking, bushcraft and more through practical experience. Numerous individuals have enhanced their skills and unleashed their creativity by staying as residents at our Hands-On Learning Residencies Programme on Marcassie Farm in Scotland.

Flexible start and duration: Customise your stay from one week to several months.

Tailor your traditional crafts course to your personal preferences

Willow

Willow weaving, growing and caring for willow. Celtic frame, square, oval, round, coiled and bark / rush/ flax/ mixed media baskets. Willow fence panels and plant supports, animal sculptures and bird feeders. Willow coffin making and even more…

Textiles

Felting, natural plant dyes, botanical printing, bundle dyeing, batik, screen printing with natural dyes. Animal hide skinning and tanning, cordage, loom weaving, spinning, rag rugs, paper making and much more…

Metal & Wood

Forged knives, hooks, pokers and burnished bowls. Wooden spoons and traditional Celtic Quaiches.

Additional Skills

Foraging, animal tracking and bush craft.

Check our FAQ section further down for the full list of crafts you can learn.

Features and Benefits

Customised Learning

Choose your craft focus area
Tailor your learning experience to the crafts you’re most passionate about. There aren’t specific starting dates as we can work with your requirements.
Hands-On Experience

Hands-on workshop
Perfect your craft with daily practice and real-world projects that bring your skills to life.
Expert Guidance

Learn from master craftsmen and artisans
Gain insights and skills from leading experts in traditional Scottish and international crafts.
Accommodations

Stay with us
We have accommodation available if you need it, to suit various budgets

"Having immersed myself in the residency programme for the last month, I have taken a welcome break from the routines of city and working life. Taking the time to learn many new skills to create beautiful and functional pieces in willow, wool, wood and metal has inspired me to continue being a maker now. I am looking forward to seeing how far these new skills can take me in life. I now have the confidence to embark on the life of a self employed craftsman, all thanks to the team at Naturally Useful. The accommodation on the field is bliss and has to be seen to be believed."

Martin - stayed for a month, made a 3 x tier celtic frame storage basket, round and rectangular shopping baskets, a large log basket, a backpack, a lidded willow storage box, a felted tool roll, a knife and a wooden spoon.
"Karen's second workshop week was keenly anticipated by locals and over 100 people attended. Her skill at being able to adapt to all abilities meant everyone took something away regardless of talent or age. Others have taken the challenge to further their skills by attending workshops with Naturally Useful"

Kate from Boat of Garten Wildlife Group

Ready to make the leap but have questions?

We understand committing to a programme like our Hands-On Learning Residencies Programme is a big decision. That’s why we’ve designed our programme with flexibility and support to ensure it fits your life and goals. Whether you're concerned about timing, skills, or the investment, we're here to help you make an informed decision.

FAQs

Willow weaving:
- Celtic frame, square, oval, round, coiled and bark / rush/ flax/ mixed media basket making.
- Willow fence panels and plant supports. Living willow domes, tunnels and fences.
- Animal and garden sculptures and bird feeders.
- Willow coffin making.
- Growing and caring for willow.
Textiles:
- Felting (Wet - tufted rugs/ wall hangings, Nuno, shrouds, seamless hats, bags or slippers, needle creatures and jewellery).
- Natural plant dyes.
- Botanical printing and bundle dyeing.
- Batik, Shibori and other resist techniques and screen printing with natural dyes.
- Cordage.
- Inkle and peg loom weaving, tapestry and how to weave on a 4 shaft table or floor loom.
- Spinning.
- Rag rug techniques - hooky, proggy, plaiting , tufting and using an Amish style tooth brush needle.
- Paper making.
- Animal hide skinning and tanning.
Metal and wood:
- Forged knives.
- Hooks and pokers.
- Hammered and burnished copper bowls.
- Wooden spoons.
- Traditional Celtic Quaiches.
Additional skills:
- Foraging.
- Animal tracking.
- Bush craft.
- Mending cane or rush chairs.
- Making charcoal and naturally sourced paints and inks.
Marcassie Farm
Rafford, near Forres
Moray
Scotland
IV36 2RH
When using Sat. Nav. please use the address and not the postcode as the postcode will lead you astray.
Once on the Marcassie Farm track, take the left hand fork, go past the white farmhouse on your left and you can park next to the trees on the grass to your right. We are in the pole barn which is around the corner following the track to the left.
Our programme welcomes individuals at all skill levels, with tailored learning paths to suit your specific needs and interests.
Absolutely! We offer flexible durations to accommodate different schedules and commitments.
Our programme is dynamic, allowing you to pivot and explore different crafts and activities as your interests evolve.
At Naturally Useful on Marcassie Farm, we offer a variety of unique, rustic accommodations to enhance your learning experience.
Choose from our hand-built eco shepherd hut, a charming gypsy caravan known as a 'Vado', an off-grid octagonal cabin, or a compact caravan, each designed to integrate you fully into our tranquil willow field environment. The octagonal cabin features a truckle bed and can accommodate up to two people, while our other options are perfect for solo stays.
For those who prefer to bring their own accommodation, our Willow Field is available during the summer months for camper vans and tents.
All residents share access to the 'Hub', which includes cooking facilities, toilets, and showers designed to be as accessible as possible, complete with a communal fire pit to gather around in the evenings.
Pricing for our accommodations is as follows:
- Shepherd Hut/Vado/Octagonal Cabin: £45 per night for 1-2 nights; £40 per night for 3-6 nights; £230 for one week; £420 for one month; further discounts for longer stays.
- Caravan: £25 per night for 1-2 nights; £20 per night for 3-6 nights; £120 for one week; £340 for one month.
- Own Camper van/Caravan or Tent: £15 per night.
A deposit is required for all options and is non-refundable if cancellation occurs within 7 days of your arrival date.
For those seeking additional comfort, local B&B accommodations provided by our neighbours and beautiful lodges at Marcassie Farm are also available.
Please contact us to coordinate your accommodation and training dates to best suit your needs and ensure a truly bespoke learning experience
Participating in our Hands-On Learning Residencies Programme is an investment in your craftsmanship and personal development.
We recommend dedicating at least one week to focus intensively on each craft to truly hone your skills, with five days of bespoke training priced at £550.
For longer commitments of three months or more, the cost is approximately £1,300 per month. This fee includes all necessary materials, tools, and expert tuition.
Should you choose to extend your stay beyond the initial three months—up to nine months, for instance—we offer the possibility of reduced rates through negotiation. This adjustment depends on the marketability of the crafts you produce, such as baskets or textile pieces, reflecting your progress and expertise gained during the residency.
Each participant’s journey is unique, and we are committed to accommodating individual paths and pacing in learning these valuable skills.
We understand that this is a financial and time investment in your craft. We wrote a blog with the latest independent funding options for you here: https://www.naturallyuseful.co.uk/nu-news/blog-post-title-one-j9stx