Where can I do a sheepskin tanning workshop/course?

[PolymahArtisan]

It's all in the title really. Ideally in the summer, after May but before August would be ideal if anyone knows of somewhere.

For some context: I've been getting into more and more oprimitive stuff recently (and spent a lot of time lurking on PaleoPlanet) and I have a design for some winter boots I want to make. I want to do everything from the 'ground up', from raw materials, with no modern tools. (with the single concession of hunting for wildanimals). So that means I have to make my tools, then make more specialist tools with those, etc. The boots I want to make are double walled, lined with sheepskin, and buckskin on the outside. I discovered this lovely place for the buckskin, and thought that the tanned rabbit and fish hides could be intersting as well. Anyway, I can't find anywhere in the uk ewhich offers courses like the ones at nettleseed, but for sheepskin, and wuld really like it if someone knew!

All help and advice (about the boots if anyone has opinions maybe?) is appreciated. Blue Skies, PA

 

[Dreadhead]

I know Peter Ananin in Fife does a bunch of tanning courses, he really knows his stuff. Will try and get his details for you

 

[PolymahArtisan]

I know Peter Ananin in Fife does a bunch of tanning courses, he really knows his stuff. Will try and get his details for you

Thanks! that would really helpful. I'm happy to pay decent money for something unusual/1-to-1 etc. if he doesn't normally do that sort of thing.

 

[Toddy]

There's an artisan tannery at Torrisdale Castle, where a lovely lady called Mary MacAlistair Hall produces beautiful and truly organic sheepskins. Only sheep and deer skins are produced there.
I found the lady very helpful and approachable when I emailed her a few years ago. I don't think she runs courses, but I might be wrong.

http://www.torrisdalecastle.com/tannery/

Other than that most of the bushcraft schools do tanning courses, of all airts, but they usually prefer folks who have at least done their basic course first. It's not a greed thing, it's often simply that they get a flavour of your character and how safe you're likely to be around sharps, etc., before they are committed to trying to teach you more than the basic stuff. Haunless wonders with enormous beliefs in their own abilites aren't rare unfortunately

M

p.s. Nice idea Hamish

 

[Broch]

Haunless wonders with enormous beliefs in their own abilites aren't rare unfortunately

I had to look that up Toddy

 

[Toddy]

Sorry

It's a good word though

M

 

[PolymahArtisan]

I had to look that up Toddy

I had to look it up too, but its a great word and I'm keeping it!

Also, @Toddy thanks for the ideas, the Torrisdale tannery looks beautiful, I'l send some emails...

 

[Toddy]

The sheepskins that MMH produces are absolutely beautiful
Not only lovely quality, but organically produced with nothing harmful used.
Mimosa bark, salt and water, time and hard work, and that's it.

M