Exploring Orkney's Art and Craft Workshops

By Budgeting for a Week-Long Stay in Orkney
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24 Jun 2026

Exploring Orkney's Art and Craft Workshops

Why Orkney's Workshops Are Worth Seeking Out

Orkney's landscapes – the sea, the stone, the ever-changing light – have inspired makers for centuries. Today, a new generation of jewellers, textile artists and ceramicists work from studios scattered across the islands. Visiting their workshops is not just shopping; it's a chance to meet the person behind the piece, hear the story of the materials, and buy something genuinely local. For guests staying at a guest house in Kirkwall or Stromness, these visits make rewarding half-day trips, especially on days when the weather turns drizzly.

Jewellery: Silver, Sea Glass and Viking Echoes

Orkney jewellers often work with silver, gold, and locally found materials like sea glass, beach pebbles, and even fragments of ancient bone or bog oak. Designs draw on Norse heritage, Neolithic symbols, and the simple curves of the coastline. In Kirkwall, you might find a small studio above a shop where the jeweller sits at a bench, sawing and soldering. In Stromness, a converted pier building might house a maker who casts pieces inspired by the tide. Many workshops welcome drop-in visitors during posted hours, but it's always wise to check ahead – some makers work alone and may be at the bench with ear defenders on.

Buying directly means you can commission a custom piece, perhaps a ring using silver from a recycled source or a pendant containing a sliver of local stone. Prices start around £30 for simple studs and rise to several hundred for statement necklaces. Ask your guest house host for a current list of open studios; they often know who is taking visitors that week.

Textiles: Wool, Weaving and Fair Isle Knitting

Orkney's textile tradition is strong, from fine lace knitting to sturdy tweed. Several workshops specialise in wool from local sheep breeds, including North Ronaldsay and Shetland crosses. You might visit a weaver on a croft in the West Mainland, where a loom takes up half the living room and the view out the window is all moor and sky. Others work in shared studios in Stromness, producing scarves, blankets and garments in colours named after the islands: heather, lichen, storm grey.

What to look for: hand-dyed yarns, naturally coloured fleece, and small-batch woven goods.
Workshops: some weavers run half-day introductions to spinning or peg loom weaving – book well in advance.
Buying directly: you'll often find seconds or sample pieces at reduced prices, perfect for gifts.

Textile studios may be open only on certain days, especially outside July and August. A phone call or email the day before is respectful and ensures someone is there to show you around.

Ceramics: Clay from the Sea and Stone

Orkney ceramicists frequently dig their own clay or mix local materials into glazes. The results are earthy, textured and often surprisingly light. A potter on the island of Sanday might fire work in a small kiln powered by wind turbine electricity, while a studio near Birsay uses ash from burnt seaweed to create speckled surfaces. Visiting a ceramics workshop is a sensory pleasure: the smell of damp clay, the whir of a wheel, shelves of mugs and bowls cooling after a firing.

Many ceramicists sell mugs, platters and sculptural pieces from open shelves in their studio. Prices for a hand-thrown mug usually range from £25 to £45. Some offer "kiln opening" days where you can watch a glaze firing being unpacked – a thrilling moment for any craft lover. Check local noticeboards or ask at your guest house for dates.

Planning Your Workshop Visits

Orkney's makers are spread across the Mainland and the outer isles, so a little planning goes a long way. Most workshops are small, with limited parking and irregular opening hours. Here's how to make the most of your time:

Use your guest house as a base: hosts often keep a folder of current craft trail maps and can ring ahead for you.
Travel wisely: a car gives you the most flexibility, but bikes work well on the Mainland's quiet roads. For outer islands, check ferry timetables – a day trip to Westray or Eday can include a workshop visit if you plan carefully.
Time your visit: June to August offers the widest opening hours. In shoulder season, many makers open by appointment only.
Be a considerate visitor: ask before taking photographs, avoid interrupting if someone is mid-process, and don't be shy about asking questions – most makers love to talk about their work.
Payment: most workshops accept card payments, but a little cash is useful for smaller studios or rural locations with patchy signal.

Allow at least an hour per workshop, more if you plan to chat or commission. Combine visits with other island attractions – a Neolithic site, a coastal walk, a tearoom – to create a full and satisfying day out.

Bringing Home More Than a Souvenir

When you buy from an Orkney workshop, you're taking home a piece of the islands that carries the maker's time, skill and story. You'll also be supporting a local economy that values slow craft over mass production. Whether it's a silver brooch shaped like a standing stone, a scarf woven from rare breed wool, or a mug that fits your hand perfectly, these objects become daily reminders of your trip. And because you met the person who made them, they will always feel more precious than anything bought from a shelf. So next time you're planning a day out from your guest house, put a workshop visit at the top of the list. The islands' makers are waiting to welcome you.

Culture

Choosing a Cosy Guest House for an Orkney Winter Break

From agricultural shows to storytelling nights, Orkney's calendar is full of community events. Check local listings and book early for popular gatherings.

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5 Comments

Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply
- John Abraham says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
  
  I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
  Reply
  - Robert Sonnysays Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
    
    I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
    Reply
Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply

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