Crafting Retreats at Gartmore House: a creative escape in the Scottish countryside | #LRCrafts - DIY Passion: if you can think it, you can make it
I recently stumbled upon something that got me genuinely excited: crafting retreats at Gartmore House in Scotland.
Now, as a fellow crafter, I have to say that the idea of spending a week surrounded by creativity, nature, and like-minded people sounds absolutely amazing. I mean, a whole week where you can just focus on crafting without the usual everyday life distractions? Sign me up! Well, not immediately, unfortunately. I really wish I could just pack my bags and head there right now! But it’s definitely on my wish list for the future.
Since I can’t attend in the short term, I thought the least I could do is spread the word. After all, if I can’t go just yet, maybe some of you can!
To learn more, I reached out to the lovely Lucy, part of the team at Gartmore House, who was incredibly helpful. Here’s what I found out about the lace-making course – the next one on schedule – and other events at this charming venue, that left me yearning to pack my bags and book a flight!
About Gartmore House and the crafting retreats
Gartmore House now offers over 40 courses throughout the year, ranging from traditional crafts like lace making, patchwork, and quilting to more contemporary arts such as pottery, upcycling, and creative writing.
Official websiteGartmore House and its courses
Gartmore House is nestled in the breathtaking countryside of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
This traditional Scottish manor house dates back to the 18th century and is surrounded by 100 acres of private land. From its origins as a family home to serving as army barracks and a school, the house has lived many lives throughout its history, until becoming a provider of arts, crafts, and activity holidays. During your stay, you’ll have the chance to explore the house’s stunning grounds, visit local attractions like the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, or join a group for a trip to the nearby Black Bull pub for a meal and a drink.
It’s conveniently located not far from Stirling, a city I loved visiting, yet isolated enough to create the perfect environment to switch off from daily life. Definitely a place where I could see myself turning off my phone for a whole week while I dive into my craft.
I have a passion for Scotland that’s as big as my longing for Ireland, so the location is a major draw for me. However, it’s the entire concept of craft holidays for adults that truly captivates me. A dedicated space to indulge in your craft, learn from expert tutors, and share your passion with others? It’s the kind of enriching experience I’ve always dreamed of.
The origin story of these retreats is particularly charming. The team behind Gartmore House came up with the idea after wondering why adults don’t get the same creative space as toddlers do in their playgroups.
Honestly, that’s such a good point! Why shouldn’t we have a safe, fun, and creative space to focus on our hobbies?
They also noted how the UK is filled with golf resorts where people can go enjoy their sport, but there wasn’t anything quite like that for crafters… until now.
They started small, offering a few local tutors and courses like quilting, knitting, and art, but over time, the retreat program expanded significantly, now featuring courses almost every week from February to early December.
Upcoming Lace-Making Retreats
Gartmore House offers over 40 different craft courses, from lace making and patchwork to contemporary crafts like upcycling and pottery. They even have seasonal courses like Christmas crafts – how fun is that?
One of their standout courses, the next one on schedule, is lace making, taught by the wonderful Jean Leader, former chairman of The Lace Guild and president of the International Organization of Lace. This retreat lasts five nights, during which you’ll enjoy four full days of immersive tuition, allowing you to fully engage in the delicate art of lace making.
The dates for 2024 and 2025 are already set, so if lace making is your thing, this could be the perfect opportunity to enhance your skills. Upcoming dates for this course include:
- November 24th-29th, 2024
- February 23rd-28th, 2025
- April 27th-May 2nd, 2025
- August 24th-29th, 2025
- November 16th-21st, 2025
How the retreats work
If you book a retreat, your experience is thoughtfully tailored to meet your needs. Before you arrive, your tutor will reach out to discuss what you’d like to focus on, whether you’re starting something brand new or have a project in progress. This allows the tutors to plan the week with you in mind, ensuring everyone receives a personalized experience.
The retreats start with a warm welcome on Sunday afternoon, where you meet your fellow crafters, enjoy some tea (or prosecco!) by the log fire, and settle into the house. From Monday to Thursday, you’ll have small-group sessions with your tutor, leaving plenty of time to explore your craft, learn new techniques, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
In the evenings, an optional social program is available, featuring film nights, quizzes, local pub trips, and even a guided tour of the estate, which boasts an impressive history dating back to 1498.
Why I think this is such a brilliant idea
When I first heard about these retreats, I was immediately fascinated. I’ve always loved the idea of immersing myself in creativity, and craft and learn alongside others: after all, my husband and I do something similar each year at the Celtica Festival.
And the way Gartmore House has set it up just feels so perfect. I can see how a place like this would be a dream for any crafter, whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or looking to make new connections.
While I can’t attend just yet, I couldn’t help but share this gem with you all. It’s not every day that you find something so aligned with your passions, and if you’re like me, someone who loves to craft and meet others who do too, I think you’ll find these retreats as exciting as I do.
To learn more about Gartmore House and explore the full range of courses on offer, visit gartmorehouse.com and start daydreaming and planning your creative retreat.
If any of you have been to a crafting retreat before, or even to Gartmore House itself, I’d love to hear about your experience! Did it live up to your expectations? What projects did you work on? And for those of you who’ve attended similar retreats elsewhere, please let us know in the comments what your experience was like. I’m all ears because the more I learn about these retreats, the more I want to go!
So, whether you’re an experienced crafter or just looking to explore something new, Gartmore House seems like the perfect spot to immerse yourself in creativity. If you get a chance to go, please share your thoughts in the comments below!
by Rici86.
