SCOTLAND
basket weaving workshop
in Edinburgh and Shetland
June 27 - July 6, 2026
sold out
$6,200 usd per person, shared room
$6,900 usd per person, shared/private room
$7,600 usd per person, private room
Join Thread Caravan & Hannah Haworth of Handa Textiles in Scotland where we will be taught the ways of willow and straw by veteran local weavers Anna Liebmann and Eve Eunson. All experience levels welcome.
Basketry has a long history in Scotland, deeply rooted in the country's social and economic life: Many essential tools for domestic, social, and economic activities were woven from local materials such as willow and straw. The baskets were integral to the crofting and fishing communities, used for storing, carrying and merchandizing various items, from peat and seaweed to fish and animal fodder. In historical construction, willow was woven for wattle and daub walls in dwellings as well as used for fences on mainland Scotland as well as in the Western Isles. In the North Sea archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland, weaving materials were scarce and thus developed a fascinating regional tradition of weaving with the straw left behind from farming crops such as oats. Straw was used in a unique way to make furniture such as chairs as well as multi use baskets. Basketry is an important part of Scottish cultural heritage, reflecting the ingenuity of past generations and their connection to the natural world.
Our trip will take us via road and overnight ferry from the gothic city of Edinburgh to the remote islands of Shetland in the North Sea; where we will immerse ourselves in the traditional straw basketry of the region. Our breaks will be taken on scenic hill and beach cliffs around this stunning northern island led by our mountain guide Martin Haworth - an expert on local ancient history and folklore.
Experience Shetland
Shetland in July offers a mix of clear northern light, mild weather, and long days, ideal for exploring its history and cultural traditions. The islands sit between Scotland and Norway, and this location has shaped everything from their language influences to their architecture and seasonal customs. Shetland was under Norse rule for centuries before becoming part of Scotland in the 15th century, and that blend of Scandinavian and Scottish heritage is still visible in daily life, the landscape, and community events.
During this trip, we’ll be weaving a Skekler hat, a craft connected to one of Shetland’s old midwinter traditions. Skeklers were masked figures who appeared around New Year, wearing tall straw hats and full straw outfits. They went from house to house performing simple dances and offering symbolic good wishes for the coming year. The practice likely has roots in both Norse winter rituals and local farming culture. Although it faded out in the early 20th century, interest in Shetland’s folk traditions has led to a careful revival of Skekler costume-making, guided by local researchers and craftspeople.Learning how to weave the hat provides insight into the islands’ agricultural past and the communal nature of their festivals. Afterward, we’ll celebrate with a traditional music performance.
After weaving hats, we’ll spend time weaving traditional style Shetland baskets with oat straw. In the afternoons and evenings (sun will set after 10pm!), we’ll explore the vast and scenic history of the island with Martin’s guidance.
cohost,
hannah haworth
Hannah Haworth has been interested in craft since she was a child, fortunate to grow up in a small indigenous village in the Philippines with a very rich cloth + basket weaving culture. As a teenager she returned to her native Scotland and became increasingly interested in local textiles and their ancestral regional practices. She studied sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art where she took up knitting and made several large-scale sculptures of animals and other natural forms, which she continued to produce and exhibit throughout her 20s when she emigrated to the US. At that time she began working in design in NYC and started really enjoying making garments and homewares for herself and friends whilst learning more about needlecraft.
In 2016, she moved upstate to the Catskill mountains and founded her business ‘Handa’ where she currently deals handmade textiles and objects from all over the world, beginning with the work of the village she grew up in. She also offers a small range of knitting patterns that she designs in partnership with local farms/yarn producers as well as co-running a small handmade furniture business with her husband Brian Persico in the historic village of Oak Hill.
Cohost,
Martin Haworth
Hannah's father Martin has been enjoying Scotlands outdoors since he first moved to the Highlands to work as a forester on a historic estate as a young teenager. He deeply connected with the landscapes of the Highlands and embarked on his lifelong mission to climb every Scottish hill and mountain over 2,500ft -which is over 500 peaks (now completed!).
As a young adult, his work brought him all over the world including Italy, Russia and the Middle East. He ultimately spent a decade in the Philippines with his wife and young children where they lived off-grid in the remote mountains of Mindoro, working for a nonprofit with a small indigenous community there.
After returning to Scotland in 2000 (the place he still believes to be the most beautiful he's ever seen), he published his first book based on his time in the Philippines and he then went on to publish several more with a focus on his keen interest in Celtic history. In 2017, he founded 'Roaming Scotland', where he shares his most beloved parts of the country as well as his extensive knowledge of Scotland's history and folklore with small group tours. He's a much sought after certified mountain guide and we are feeling very fortunate to have him (and his trusty border collie, Zak) with us in Shetland to revel in what the landscape has to offer.
itinerary
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Arrive in Edinburgh. Free afternoon to enjoy the city at your leisure.
Group meet + greet and trip orientation at our accommodation, historic home The Rock House.
Welcome dinner at a favorite restaurant in town.
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Group breakfast at the Rock House.
Make our way to Musselburgh, known for their traditional fishwives baskets. Here, we’ll spend the day with basket weaver Anna Liebman, beginning to work on our own projects.
Group lunch.
In the afternoon, optional visit to the fishwives museum.
Return to Edinburgh. Independent dinner.
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Group breakfast at the Rock House.
Make our way back to Musselburgh to finish working on our projects with Anna.
Group lunch.
In the afternoon, optional visit to Anna’s studio, to see willow being processed and see some of her finished works.
Return to Edinburgh. Independent dinner.
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Group breakfast at the Rock House.
Make our way via road from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, stopping at favorite landmarks en route. Group lunch and dinner.
At 7:30pm, catch the overnight ferry from Aberdeen to Shetland.
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Early morning arrival on Shetland. Head to Scalloway Hotel to settle in.
After settling in, head to the Shetland Museum for a Skekler straw hat weaving workshop led by Eve Eunson.
Group breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Afternoon optional visit to Culswick on the western peninsula for a hike to settle into the setting.
In the evening, optional outing to a weekly town social.
Overnight at Scalloway Hotel.
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Return to the Shetland Museum to begin weaving Shetland-style straw baskets.
Group lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to the south of the mainland to Bigton and walk across the tombolo (double-sided beach) to St Ninian’s Isle to a ruined chapel and walk up on to the high ground and across to the west side of the isle. Good swimming opportunity for the hardy in the sheltered waters of the tombolo.
Optional visit to the Shetland crofthouse museum at Bigton.
Group dinner.
Overnight at Scalloway Hotel.
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Return to the Shetland Museum to continue weaving Shetland-style straw baskets.
Group lunch.
In the afternoon, optional visit to Sumburgh on the southern part of the island. Here, we’ll visit Jarlshof, an intriguing site with literally layers of history laid on top of one another from Neolithic age through to the Vikings as each era re-purposed this village.
In Sumburgh, we may also be lucky enough to see the seasonal puffin visit!
Group dinner.
Overnight at Scalloway Hotel.
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Return to the Shetland Museum to continue weaving Shetland-style straw baskets.
Group lunch.
Afternoon visit to the Esha Ness cliffs for a 2 hour walk along the high cliff tops riven with geos and sink holes. A rugged, grand place.
Group dinner in Brae.
Overnight at Scalloway Hotel.
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Return to the Shetland Museum to finish weaving Shetland-style straw baskets.
Group lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll have a gathering of basket makers presenting their work, followed by group dinner celebration with traditional Skekler musical performance,.
After dinner, make our way to the ferry station for overnight ferry back to Aberdeen.
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Arrive to Aberdeen in the early morning.
Group goodbyes, and private transportation onward to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
TRIP DETAILS
GROUP
This trip is limited to 10 guests, who will accompanied by Thread Caravan founder Caitlin Garcia-Ahern and co-hosts Hannah and Martin Haworth.
PRICING + PAYMENT
A $2,050usd non-refundable deposit is required in order to reserve your space on the trip. The remaining payment is due at least 2 months prior to the trip start date.
Pricing is tiered (from $6,200-$7,600usd) based on accommodation type. Please see explanations of accommodation options below.
Scholarships are not available for this trip, but we encourage guests to apply for third-part grants when able. We are happy to create a letter of participation to support in grant funding.
ACCOMMODATION
During this trip we will stay at a mix of accommodations. We’ll spend 3 nights at Rock House, a historic artful home in Edinburgh, 4 nights at family-run Scalloway Hotel on mainland Shetland, and two nights in cabins on the Northlink Ferry.
Trip pricing is tiered based on accommodation type, with the following options available:
Private Room: (and bathroom) for entire duration of trip - $7,600usd
Shared/Private Combo: Shared room (with separate beds) in Edinburgh and on the ferry (5 nights total), and private room on Shetland (4 nights total) - $6,900usd
Shared Room: with separate beds - $6,200usd
Shared Room: with shared bed - $6,200usd
As we will be changing hotels, we ask that everyone pack as lightly as possible.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Experience Level: This trip is open to guests of all experience levels, including beginners. Working with willow can be hard on the hands, so please plan to bring lotion or balm.
Weather: June/July in northern Scotland, we can expect long days of sunlight (approximately 19 hours!).
Scotland’s weather this time of year can change instantly, and its likely that we will experience a range of weather conditions during our trip: sun, rain and high winds. This contributes to both the adventure of the trip, and to the beauty of Scotland’s rugged nature.
As many of our extra activities will be outdoors, we ask that guests be prepared for these conditions by bringing appropriate attire.Mobility: During this trip, activities include leisurely hiking. Please let us know prior to booking if you have limited mobility or will require special assistance.
Extra Time in Scotland: This trip will have guests returning to Glasgow or Edinburgh in the late afternoon of our last day together. We suggest booking an evening flight, or staying extending your stay in one of these two cities, or traveling onward in Scotland!
VISA: Please remember to check visa requirements from your respective home countries before reserving a space on this trip.
Passport Validity: Your passport must have at least 3 months validity at time of entry as well as at least one empty page.
Trip Preparation: We will send a trip preparation packet to you one month before the trip. It will include an exact itinerary, a suggested pack list, useful country information and more.
COST INCLUDES
Basket Supplies: We will provide willow, oat straw and all other materials needed for the craft portion of this trip.
In-Country Transportation: During this trip we will be taking a mix of transportation including local train, taxis, private shuttles and a ferry.
Most Meals: Most meals are included and will offer unique dining experiences whenever possible. In some rural locations, food options are limited. Our open meals will be in Edinburgh, allowing guests the opportunity to explore the city’s food scene at their leisure.
Accommodation: More details in the previous “Accommodation” section.
Support: Two Thread Caravan trip facilitators will guide this experience in partnership with our local guide and local artisan hosts. Our team will be available in the months leading up to the trip to help you prepare.
Carbon Emissions Offset: We’ve partnered with Sprout to plant 25 tress on your behalf in order to offset the carbon emissions of your travel to Iceland.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
Airport transfer upon arrival: We ask guests to make their way to our hotel in Edinburgh upon arrival. On trip departure day, we will take guests to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Arrival/Departure Airfare/Trainfare: Arrival to the Edinburgh airport or train station. Departure from the Edinburgh or Glasgow airports or train stations.
Personal Travel Insurance: Personal travel insurance is required for this trip. Please find an insurance that covers medical emergencies, theft, and trip cancellations. If this is your first time buying travel insurance, we recommend Allianz or World Nomads.
Extra Excursions: Our itinerary includes scheduled activities to fill each day. However, should guests choose to venture on their own, they will be responsible for incurred expenses.
Personal Expenses: Shopping, medicine, snacks, etc.
Alcoholic Drinks: Thread Caravan does not cover the cost of alcoholic beverages except when noted in the itinerary.
GETTING TO/From Scotland
This trip starts and ends in Edinburgh. We ask that guests arrive to Edinburgh by 5pm on the trip start day, June 27.
On the trip end day, July 6, we will be driving guests to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Please plan your departure or continued travels from either of these two places. As we will be arriving in the afternoon, we suggest booking an evening flight (8pm or later), or staying a night in either city before departure or continued travel.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about arrival or departure logistics.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US.
