Willow Work
Available Dates
All of our craft or activity holidays run for 5-nights from Sunday to Friday and start from £985 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.
TESTIMONIAL
"A wonderful experience. Perfect atmosphere and environment. Friendly staff. Loved it. Many thanks."
Christine
About The Course
Are you wondering how to weave a willow plate holder or what it takes to turn wooden reeds into something useful? Gartmore House has you covered with our willow work courses.
During the four days you will be making a selection of round baskets, starting with a cute berry basket, then progressing to a fruit or bread basket, a small kindling basket with inset handles, and if you have time, an asymmetric basket with a wooden handle.
Basket making is an ancient craft, and is enjoying a real resurgence in UK. Come and try! It will amaze you how mesmerising it is, and good for the soul. You also not only get to be creative with your hands, but you end up with beautiful and functional baskets to take home.
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.
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.
Here's what a previous participant has to say about this course:
“Did not know what to expect – but far, far better than I could have imagined.” – Joan, Willow Work Holiday
Picture Gallery
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.
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.
More Reviews...
The ‘Last Supper’ created a great finishing touch and made for a memorable stay.
Jean
Willow Work Holiday
A wonderful experience. Perfect atmosphere and environment. Friendly staff. Loved it. Many thanks.
Guest
Willow Work Holiday
Enter your text here...
Your Course Tutor: Jilly Greig
Jilly Greig is a full-time willow basket maker based in East Lothian, Scotland. For the past six years, she has dedicated herself to the craft, developing her skills through extensive training with some of the UK and Ireland’s leading basket makers.
Committed to continual learning and refinement of her practice, Jilly has studied with renowned makers including Anna Liebmann, Anna Turnbull, Eddie Glew, Hanna van Aelst and Jenny Crisp. In 2023, she completed her City & Guilds qualification in Basketry at Westhope College in Shropshire.
Alongside her own making, Jilly is a passionate teacher, delivering basketry workshops across Edinburgh, East Lothian, the Scottish Borders and the Knoydart Peninsula. She is a tutor at the highly regarded Poldrate Arts & Crafts Centre in Haddington, where she teaches beginners, improvers and intermediate-level basket makers.
Jilly is also the founder and organiser of the annual North Berwick Willow Fair, which brings together basket makers from across the UK, including exhibitors from as far afield as Newcastle and the Isle of Skye. She regularly exhibits her work and will once again be taking part in the Makers Market at Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick’s Lodge Gardens from 31 July to 9 August.
In 2026, Jilly was awarded a VACMA bursary to further her studies with master basket maker Jenny Crisp in Herefordshire, continuing her commitment to developing and preserving the traditional craft of willow basketry.
This dedication to learning, teaching and community has established Jilly as a respected and enthusiastic advocate for basketry in Scotland.
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. Your tutor will also be in contact with you, prior to your course to confirm kit lists and questions you have.
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 confirm your holiday a non-refundable 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.
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.
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.
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. We do advise you to take out holiday insurance for this reason.
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 9:15 am on 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.
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 willow work.