Where are you based?
We are based on the beautiful Isle of Mull, near the village of Bunessan where we have set up a stunning new teaching space. But we travel across Scotland to work with groups and communities that would like to build boats.
What is a Folkschool?
Folkschools (or Folk Schools) are quite an old concept, but one interpreted in lots of different ways. Started in Denmark in the 19th century, they spread around Scandinavia and then to the USA. While there is lots of variance, the essential elements are pretty much always the same - education for the people often for adults with a focus on enriching lives and society. We see it as a way to include a whole range of activities under a broad principled banner - the idea that people can connect with each other and with active making through the learning of craft skills.
What is included in a course?
In 2024 all of our weeks are residential in nature and your course fee includes all materials, tuition and use of tools to get the boats built. As well as this we include an option to camp on our croft and use the facilities in the workshop - toilets, showers and a self catering kitchen with cooker/oven and fridge space. We provide a welcome meal on the first night, and tea and coffee and snacks through the week but you’ll have to bring your own food for breakfasts, lunch and dinners. We don’t provide alcohol, but many find a wee glass of wine at the end of a day in the workshop is quite nice - you might want to bring a bottle (or two) with you.
Yes! We run courses all around Scotland in all kinds of ways - we can fit a whole workshop in our van and can come to you. In some cases it can work out cheaper for us to travel to you and work with your group where you are, rather than to book onto a course. We work with community groups as part of funded projects but also for private clients. In 2023 we organised a week of boatbuilding for an individuals’ 50th Birthday celebration!