Hand spin yarn and weave it into a community-made piece of fabric on an ancient style loom.
Making cloth and fabrics in the ancient past was a work of such skill, technology, time, care and many different processes that it is one of the most fascinating crafts of Scottish prehistory. We are lucky enough to look after a surviving fragment of prehistoric twill fabric in our museum's collection which came from the archaeological excavation of the ‘Oakbank Crannog’ house site, dated to 500BC in Loch Tay.
We offer a range of workshops in the skills and processes that would have produced fabrics and garments in prehistory, built up from the skills our Interpreters have honed, researched and developed over many years. A humble piece of thread is arguably amongst the most innovative developments in the human story. During this workshop, learn to make your own drop spindle, a type of traditional spinning implement, and create a ball of handspun yarn. You can then contribute to our community piece of (re)constructed Oakbank Crannog twill on an experimental archaeological two-beam loom, using the wool you have spun in the morning.
You’ll be welcomed and looked after, complete with a hearty, traditional lunch cooked in our Iron Age kitchen, and plenty of refreshments. We hope to share with you and a community of likeminded enthusiasts a passion for ancient textiles in our unique lochside setting surrounded by hills, as we sit and tell stories around the crackling fire.
Course details: £80 (+fees)
Aimed at all levels, from beginners to seasoned spinners and weavers.
Arrive at 9.00am for this course in drop spinning and nalbinding. The course will end at around 5pm.
On arrival, you’ll be welcomed with a cup of something and an opportunity to explore the site, as well as meet your fellow participants and course leaders.
Visit our museum to see the Crannog textile artefacts.
Then, in the workshop area, start to make your own drop spindle using traditional methods and tools.
Learn how to wash wool using a charcoal wash, then card your wool and learn how to drop spin a ball of yarn.
Take a break for lunch, cooked in our Iron Age kitchen.
Learn the art of weaving on a 2 beam loom helping to recreate a 2,500-year-old 2-1 twill and contribute to a woven piece of national importance and significance.
During the course, you will be offered crannog cake and tea/ refreshments.
You will leave with your own drop spindle, a ball of your hand-spun wool and some fleece to practice on and an information booklet.
Please note, the booking cut-off for these workshops is 24 hours before the workshop starts.
We reserve the right to cancel any workshops if there are not enough participants booked on to meet our minimum requirement or due to adverse weather conditions. In these cases, we are happy to help you re-book your course or process a refund.
Repeats on 7th August, 2nd September and 2nd October.
