Calligraphy
Available Dates
All of our craft or activity holidays run for 5-nights from Sunday to Friday and start from £879 per person.
The above is based on single occupancy. A £100 per person discount is applied for art, craft and activity guests on a shared occupancy basis.
“While searching for a way to improve my calligraphy skills, I was thrilled to discover that Gartmore House offers this residential calligraphy class near me.”
About The Course
Beginners Workshop
"Calligraphy – The art of beautiful writing"
If you have always admired those ancient manuscripts, appreciated a beautifully written poem or have treasured an invitation with your name written with a flourish, then this is great way to be introduced to the captivating art of calligraphy.
Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, Annette will provide comprehensive instruction on the essential principles of crafting letterforms using a broad-edged calligraphy pen. From exploring the history behind historical alphabets, to mastering techniques, you are in for a fascinating and enlightening experience.
Throughout the four-day journey, Annette will provide a series of hands-on exercises and demonstrations along with personalised guidance, ensuring that you all progress at your own pace and achieve your calligraphic goals. By the end of the course, you will not only have learned a new script but will also have created a finished piece of calligraphy to showcase your newfound skills.
As a bonus, you will receive a specially curated starter pack, ensuring that your journey into calligraphy can extend beyond the workshop. With all the necessary tools in hand, you can continue to explore and practice calligraphy at your leisure, further honing your skills and delighting friends and family with beautifully written words.
Improvers Calligraphy Workshop – New for 2025
Take your calligraphy skills to the next level with our brand-new Improvers Calligraphy Workshop, designed specifically for those ready to continue their calligraphic journey. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of letterforms, focus on a specific project, or simply dedicate uninterrupted time to practice, this workshop is tailored to your needs. With expert guidance and support on hand, you’ll have everything you need to advance your craft in a relaxed and inspiring environment.
Christmas Themed Calligraphy Workshop - New for 2025:
Join Annette for a festive journey of creativity and the art of calligraphy with our Christmas-themed calligraphy week. You will learn how to write with a pointed nib and create beautiful marks, whilst experimenting with various inks and paints to bring your creations to life.
From elegant Christmas cards to personalised gifts, you will get the chance to create a different item each day. You’ll not only learn the skills and techniques of writing with a pointed nib but also produce a delightful array of handcrafted items to take home with you by the end of the week.
This workshop is suitable for anyone who is interested in calligraphy and the art of beautiful writing, and Christmas! Together, in a supportive and inclusive environment, Annette will provide expert guidance to ensure you have the most enjoyable and productive week.
Course Inclusions And Coverage
This course is an all-in-one package which includes the following:
Tuition
Booking for this course includes 4 days of specialist tuition from Annette Reed.
Equipment
All specialist equipment will be supplied but there will be a few essential items that you will need to bring. Please see our terms and detailed information section below.
Food & Accommodation
Full board catering and 5-nights accommodation are included when you book.
Transfers
Complimentary transfers are included when you book - subject to certain conditions.*
* Transfers from Stirling train station are available on the arrival and departure days (pick-up from the station at 15:30, departs Gartmore House at 9:15). Transfers from Glasgow or Edinburgh Airports are available at an additional cost.
tERMS & DETAILED INFORMATION
If you’re coming on one of our holidays and would like to bring a friend, partner, or member of your family, then we have you (and them!) covered. Accompanying guests will enjoy full board catering and shared accommodation with you. We also have a full programme of day trips and activities on offer for them. Please add them and day trips at the checkout stage.
How to book
To book online, please click on your preferred date above.
For any questions or to book direct please call 01877 382 991 or email mail@gartmorehouse.com
If you have any questions, you may like to take a look at our FAQs but if you have any further queries, please contact our team directly.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF BOOKING
To confirm your holiday:
A non-refundable 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.
Payment of your holiday:
The balance of your payment must be received no later than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement of your holiday. In the case of non-payment, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and any cancellation fees will apply.
If you cancel your booking:
All deposits are non-refundable. Should you need to cancel your booking up to 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, we will refund any monies paid, less your deposit. If you cancel less than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, no refund will be given.
We do advise you to take out holiday insurance for this reason.
Your Course Tutor: Annette Reed
Annette has been a calligrapher for 38 years, and since 2011, she has worked professionally as a freelance calligrapher.
Annette was taught by a renowned calligrapher at school, Peter Halliday. He introduced her to this beautiful art, gave her a solid foundation of the intricacies and skills needed to master calligraphy, and she has been writing ever since.
Since 2011, Annette has worked for many notable companies and organisations: She works as a Scribe and Heraldic Artist for the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh, has written many official documents for and on behalf Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Majesty King Charles III, and inscribes many memorial books. Other clients include the Carnegie Trust in Dunfermline, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Aberdeen, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, the Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland, Diageo and many more.
You can find out more about Annette and her work via her website (www.reedandwrite.co.uk) and Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/ReedAndWrite)
Faq
Where can I find out more about the course?
If you need any further information about your course that is not on our website, please get in contact with us and we can provide you with the tutor’s contact details who can assist with your query.
What do I need to bring on my art, craft and activity break?
Your required kit list for your specific break is shown on each course’s webpage. However, should you have any queries, then please feel free to contact us.
What is the art, craft and activity holiday booking terms and conditions?
To secure your booking, a non-refundable £100 per person deposit is required. Full payment is due 6 weeks prior to arrival. For holidays booked within 6 weeks of the arrival date, full payment is required at time of booking.
Holidays are subject to availability and subject to change. There is a minimum number of guests required to run each course. If a course is cancelled due to low numbers, you may transfer any monies paid to an alternative date or a full refund will be issued.
If you cancel a booking, your £100 deposit is non-refundable. The rest of your payment will be refunded if you cancel no later than 6 weeks prior to arrival.
What time do your transfer services for the art, craft & activity holidays operate?
We offer a complimentary transfer services to and from Stirling train station. Collection is at 3:30pm from the station on the day of arrival, and our drop-off service departs from Gartmore House at 9:15am (5 and 6-night holidays) or 4pm (2-night holidays) on the day of departure.
The closest airports to us are Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. If you require a transfer to and/or from either airport, please select this option at the time of booking. Transfers to/from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are available at an additional cost. After booking your flights, please update your Customer Portal with the time you wish to be collected from the airport on the day of arrival and the time of collection at Gartmore House, returning to the airport, on the day of departure. Please allow 60 minutes for your transfer between Gartmore House and Glasgow Airport, or 90 minutes for your transfer between Gartmore House and Edinburgh Airport.
Can I bring a partner/friend to stay with me while I am on an art, craft or activity break?
If you’re coming on one of our art, craft or activity holidays and would like to bring a friend, partner, or member of your family, then we have you (and them!) covered. Accompanying guests will enjoy full board catering and shared accommodation with you. Please add them at the checkout stage.
Picture Gallery
Spots on this course are limited!
Book your spot now and join us at Gartmore House. We are confident it will deepen your understanding of Calligraphy.