Latest news from Green Aspirations
Welcome to the third edition of our newsletter. And what a few weeks it's been since our last update! The sun has been shining, the charcoal kilns have been burning, and we've even won a silver plate! Read on to find out what's been going on, and what's coming up over the next few months.
What’s on
Craft Hoolie 2025
Join us for a special event in August, bringing together the best crafters and trainers from around the UK and beyond over a 10-day period. The first weekend focuses on wood-based crafts and the second weekend has a range of traditional crafts. We're also hosting a great set of guest workshops throughout the week in between. A fantastic opportunity to try new crafts and meet like-minded people. Read more below!
Find out more
Shows and events
Our first show of the season was a winner! We won best small trade stand and best stand overall at the Drymen Show at the end of May, and we're totally delighted! We were at Helensburgh and Lomond Highland Games this weekend, then Luss Highland Games on 5 July, and Newbattle Summer Fare on 12 July. Our stalls mean we can chat about our work, demonstrate some of the crafts – blacksmithing and some woody stuff – and sell our products.
Find out more
Workshops
Our workshops have continued in May with charcoal making and tool sharpening, and we're now looking forward to blacksmithing and Pole Lathe making in June, and then more blacksmithing, spoon carving and rustic stools in early August. We're also out and about with some workshops: spoon carving in Killin on 26 June, rustic stools at the Japanese Gardens in Dollar on 6 July, and shrink pots in Killin on 28 July. All our workshops are aimed at young people and adults (12+).
Find out more
Charcoal
Spring and summer really mark the height of our charcoal season, which we supply to shops and restaurants throughout Scotland (and now England, too!), so we're doing regular burns - at least a couple each week. This year, we've picked up a few new stockists across Scotland (from Forres to the borders). You can also buy direct from us, online or on site. And we were delighted to supply a whole 500kg of charcoal to Meatopia in Glasgow this weekend. It's been a lot of work, but worth it!
Find out more
Wee Skelfs: Summer Dates!
After a great few days over the Easter holidays, summer dates are now live online! The club is running Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays between 15 and 31 July. It's a great way for kids aged 6-12 years to get outdoors, get creative, and get close to nature, with a focus on risky play. Places are £40 per day, with 10% off when you book 3 or more places.
Find out more
News from the Craft Hoolie - (probably) the best craft festival in Scotland!
From 15th to 24th August, Green Aspirations becomes home to the best trainers and crafters from across Scotland, the UK, and further afield as they gather for the Great Scottish Craft Hoolie 2025 – a celebration of traditional crafts right in the heart of rural Stirlingshire. Known for being a small but perfectly formed craft festival, the Hoolie creates a fun and informal space to learn alongside these experts, so participants can hone existing skills and learn new ones.
The first weekend (15th-17th August) celebrates wood crafts – from spoon carving and pole-lathe turning to wood carved figurines. The week between features in-depth workshops led by the visiting trainers – in bowl turning, bowl carving, carving for fun, end-grain cup turning, figurine carving, basket weaving, fidget ring making, brush making, hand weaving, and carving for wellbeing – while the second weekend (22nd-24th August) showcases traditional pottery, screen printing, jewellery making, blacksmithing, and basket weaving. No matter what your skill level or crafting interest, you’ll find something for you in the programme.
Weekend passes offer great value with camping included, plus the option of campfire-cooked meals using the team's own Scottish charcoal and locally-sourced ingredients. Book both weekends and save 10%, or add weekday workshops at a discount. Weekend day passes are also available. Spaces are limited for both weekends and the weekday workshops, so book today!
The Craft Hoolie is a really important part of our annual calendar, helping us both to meet our social aim to get more people reconnnected to the landscape through traditional crafts, and to make a contribution to our operating costs. So we're really grateful to everyone who buys a ticket and comes along or helps in any way. We're relying on you to make this year a success!
Get in touch!
We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions about what we do or how you can get involved. Just email us on hello@greenaspirationsscotland.co.uk.
