Join this teen-friendly workshop that will teach you traditional weaving techniques to create a sustainable, fat-ball-holding bird feeder.

You will learn basic basketry techniques such as creating a round base, using a spiral or pairing weave, and forming hanging loops. Along the way,you’ll develop an understanding of working with willow - how to handle it, tension it, and read what the material wants to do. This course is open for teenagers aged 13-19 yrs old, with plenty of guided support throughout. The pace is steady and achievable and by the end of the session, you’ll take home a finished bird feeder. All materials and tools are provided.

Martin Henretty is a basket weaver originally from Banchory now based near Forres, where he teaches on behalf of Naturally Useful.This small Scottish rural business offers hands-on learning opportunities, residencies and hosts their own willow field. Their ethos is to reconnect people to nature by making tactile functional things from materials that are naturally occurring and readily available, such as willow.