Tartan Caledonia reviews

Jo Watson reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"Ashleigh is an excellent tutor. He explains everything really clearly, and provides excellent notes to take away as well. He’s taught me so much, and I am very grateful. "

Rachel Dimond reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"Ashleigh was a great tutor. It was well organised and he explained different processes/techniques clearly. Myself and my daughter had a really great day. We loved it and would highly recommend. Big thanks Ashleigh."

Flora reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"I thoroughly enjoyed my weaving session with Ashleigh. The Nest studio is a welcoming space. Ashleigh is a Master Weaver and an excellent teacher. As a beginner I benefited from Ashleigh’s patient and relaxed style of tuition. The loom was ready warped and Ashleigh guided me through enough weave patterns to produce a lovely sampler. It was great to be so hands on as a learner at the loom. He also provided written materials for me to take home. This was especially helpful for reflecting back on the day. I will take another course with Ashleigh and build on what I have learned."

Vicky Ward reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"Absolutely brilliant day with Ashleigh working with my new rigid heddle loom. I’ll definitely be booking another session soon!"

Maggie Page reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"My sister and I had a wonderful day on our course. Ashleigh was so patient and knowledgeable. We would recommend this course."

Pam Whittle reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"My grandaughter and I had a brilliant day thanks to Ashleigh! We may be booking again if (when) we get a loom of our own. "

Jo Watson reviewed: Weaving: free-style

"Excellent course, with just the right amount of guidance. Ashleigh is a very talented master weaver in his own right and knows his craft inside out. The handouts are incredibly useful and I feel like I achieved a lot. Highly recommend "

Angela Rees reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"A really informative day. Ashleigh is very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. Very helpful and definitely went the extra mile by answering my questions and giving me advice on my own newly purchased loom. I had a brilliant day and felt that Ashleigh was a really adaptable teacher to my learning style. As a result I created a woven sampler that has impressed my friends and family already ."

Tartan Caledonia responded:

"Thankyou for you feedback. I look forward to seeing you soon to get loom ready for weaving. "

Sheena MacDonald reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"Really enjoyed this course. A great hands on course. Ashleigh was great at explaining each step and leaving you to practice before moving onto the next pattern. Lovely start with coffee whilst talking through the set up of the loom. I personally had never done any weaving and came away with a good size sampler. My day was very much tailored to my capabilities. Time flew by which is usually a good sign. Came away feeling I had achieved and learnt a lot. I have dropped hints that I'd be happy to receive this gift again. ;)"

Helen Henderson reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"Excellent course - there is good reason why Ashleigh has so many excellent reviews. This course in my opinion is beyond excellent value! I have had a wonderful day learning about weaving, have walked away with a good amount of weaving, shown and tried several different techniques, and had refreshments as I went along. From someone that had done no weaving previously and little experience of similar crafts - I cannot recommend this course enough. Ashleigh teaches from his studio which is nested within a craft shop so there are others around but it is one to one teaching. He gives plenty of space for you to practice, dropping back into the studio area to help patiently guide you and show you new skills. "

Isla reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"Ashleigh was supportive and patient, providing one to one tuiton on learning to weave. He talked through each skill, providing pattern cards to take away, then allowed time to practice and consolidate skills before moving on to the next part of the course. I came away with a completed sampler, and keen to try out my new skills on my own loom. Everyone at the Nest was friendly and welcoming. I would highly recommend this course, and will be looking to book into the longer course later in the year. Thank you, Ashleigh!"

Tartan Caledonia responded:

"I look forward to getting you started on your own loom soon."

Lucy reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"I really enjoyed this one-day course. It’s very much “learning by doing” and Ashleigh is a superb teacher. He gave clear explanations and talked me through a variety of patterns and yarns. I could go at my own pace and had plenty time to practise and consolidate one type of weaving before going on to the next. Ashleigh struck the right balance between showing me what to do and letting me get on with it, and I quickly gained more confidence. As a complete novice, it was a great feeling to come away with a finished piece of work that I’m proud of. The workshop has a cosy friendly atmosphere and is really inspiring. "

Tartan Caledonia responded:

"Thank you for the kind words, glad you enjoyed you day. Ashleigh."

Patricia reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"I had a wonderful introduction to weaving with Ashleigh. His knowledge of the craft and skill in teaching is second to none. I learnt so much and in such a short time. He explained each step very clearly and encouragingly. Thank you Ashleigh, this workshop has given me the encouragement to continue my weaving journey."

Val Russell reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"This course was really good. Initially, I wondered how this weaving process worked, but by the end of the day it all made sense. I would love one day, to buy a small loom and continue to improve my skills. Ashleigh did a great job teaching and guiding my husband and I. He moved us on at the rate we were learning which was perfect for us as we were learning at very different speeds. I highly recommend this course for anyone who is interested in weaving."

Tartan Caledonia responded:

"Thankyou for your feedback. Hope you enjoyed Scotland. Good luck when you take up weaving."

Jacquie hardy reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"Absolutely fabulous course. Ashleigh is a brilliant teacher, with a subject he knows and loves. I have learnt a huge range of techniques and effects-giving me the confidence to warp up my loom and practice, knowing I can still ask for help and advice at any time in the future."

Iona Kelly reviewed: Cyanotype prints

"Ashleigh was very knowledgeable, which was just as well because we knew nothing about the subject at all! He provided a range of items for us to use and was very open to all of ideas, no matter how random. Cyanotype is a very niche area and it was interesting to learn about it."

Judith Roberts reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"I had such a wonderful day weaving with Ashleigh. He explained everything very clearly and was very informative about different types of weaving and patterns. I was thrilled with my finished piece and having leaner different techniques I am now set to make a scarf in my favourite pattern. The course is held at Nest which is a crafters’ delight. I would highly recommend Ashleigh and can’t wait to go back."

Sharon-Leah Perry reviewed: Cyanotype prints

"I had a fantastically inspiring time with Ashleigh who shared so many different techniques & ideas with me. He made the workshop very understandable, fun & enjoyable & had so much material prepared for me to choose from to use for my printing. I loved being able to experiment with soaking one of my pieces in a strong tea solution, that I currently have another piece soaking in very strong coffee for comparison. I have since shared my with my family who also appreciated the learning experience & knowledge that Ashleigh shared with me. I would highly recommend doing this workshop with Ashleigh, or even one of the other workshops he does. He is very knowledgeable & has a gift of breaking things down into easy to understand pieces. THANK YOU ASHLEIGH !"

Maureen Kerr reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"I have just had an amazing day with Ashleigh Slater on this weaving course. He is an excellent tutor!!! I had the best fun and tuition I’ve had for a long time. He is so patient, even with someone like me who needs constant looking after. I produced a piece of weaving about a foot and a half long in the most diverse patterns. Chuffed?? Absolutely !!! Thank you Ashleigh."

Helen Gledhill reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"As a bit of a wool nut, I’ve been wanting to learn how to weave for a while now so I decided to take my daughter (8) to a class with Ashleigh and make a day of it. I was a bit unsure how she’d manage to focus all day but I needn’t have been. She loved it. Ashleigh explained everything so well and clearly to us, he’s a great teacher. We had an amazing time, we were able to go at our own pace, Ashleigh is so knowledgeable and I think we’ve both officially been bitten by the weaving bug. Without a doubt we’ll be going back to learn more!"

Carol R reviewed: Cyanotype prints

"Lots of good content on the course and good detailed advice. Ashleigh had ensured all materials were ready for a range of techniques to try. The day ran smoothly and it was really enjoyable to work outdoors. It is very useful to get handouts and info about where to buy materials. Definitely recommend this course and you get value for money."

Caroline Pitt reviewed: Tartan design (Digital) e-course

"This was booked more for curiosity about tartan than anything. Ashleigh obviously loves his work and wants to share his knowledge. A very enjoyable experience from learning some history, to designing my own tartan. I (with Ashleighs help) am now going to register the design & hopefully get the weave made up. He has patience and amazing software to make the whole process fascinating."

Jenny Farrar reviewed: Tartan design (Digital) e-course

"Thank you Ashleigh for a very interesting and comprehensive overview of the processes involved in tartan design and registration. I have enjoyed learning something new from a patient and experienced teacher! This has been my first venture into online craft courses and it was a very positive experience that I would not hesitate to repeat."

Joe reviewed: Tartan design (Digital) e-course

"This is a fantastic course that will guide you through the entire process from concept to designing and registering your own tartan. Ashleigh is a great tutor and goes above and beyond to help you bring your vision to life and I am thrilled with the tartan I have created. Even after the course has finished Ashleigh has been at the end of a phone or e-mail to help. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in tartan or craft."

Pippa Clegg reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"My daughter and I had a lovely day with Ashleigh learning how to weave on a four shaft table loom and a heddle loom. Ashleigh patiently took us through the basics and advised on colour combinations and then we were off! We had a great day exploring different patterns and colour combinations with Ashleigh keeping an unobtrusive eye on us, ready to intervene if things were getting tricky but otherwise allowing us to try things out. We had a lunch break at the Cateran Cafe (part of the cost of the day) and then back for more experiments. Ashleigh is an excellent tutor and we both came away with pieces of work we felt proud of and delighted with."