Tartan Caledonia

I was taught how to weave by Ashleigh and rate his teaching and course content very highly. He is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about all aspects of weaving, and combines a sound knowledge base with the ability to let a learner move at her own pace. As a result of doing a weaving course with Ashleigh, I bought a small hand loom and was able to go back to see him as I developed new skills. What I really liked about this course was its setting in Blairgowrie, with its links to weaving history. Highly recommended.

I attended Ashleigh's weaving class last Monday and Tuesday. I had just bought a rigid heddle loom and I thought this class would be a good chance to have practical help in how to use it - and I wasn't disappointed! I learnt how to warp up, how to weave plain weave and how to weave some other techniques too such as clasp-weaving and the use of the pick up stick to create patterns and how to read and interpret a weaving pattern. Ashleigh shared lots of other tips and advise too which no doubt came from his many years experience as a professional weaver. Ashleigh was very attentive, but also sensitive to times when I just needed to be left alone to weave at my own pace! Lunch on the first day was included in the price of the class and consisted of a soup and sandwich lunch with tea or coffee at a local cafe. There were plenty of eating places in Blairgowrie to try out on the second day, and I chose one just over the road from Ashleigh's studio. Blairgowrie is a very pleasant little town, and I was able to explore the local shops during the lunch hours and also take a walk along the riverside paths. Altogether this was a very interesting and enjoyable two days, and I learnt a lot about weaving. It was well worth the cost and the journey from my home town of Liverpool to attend.