Eden Wool Gathering at Whithorn Roundhouse – A Yarn with Roots – Only DAYS to GO!
Nestled beside the reconstructed Iron Age Roundhouse at Whithorn, Dumfries & Galloway, the Eden Wool Gatheringis set to unfold over 26–27 July 2025. This landmark event—Scotland’s first-ever wool‑gathering festival—is hosted in the Whithorn Trust’s historic field, bringing fibre-focused artisans, rare‑breed flocks and family activities to ancient ground.
More details of the Round house here
Purpose & Place
Organised by Wendy & David Erskine of Eden Textile Studio, this inaugural festival aims to showcase the full wool journey—from sheep to finished craft—while raising funds for the Stranraer Cancer Drop-In Centre, a charity close to Wendy’s heart. All ticket sales profit the local Stranraer charity, which supports cancer patients, their families, and bereaved communities in Wigtownshire. See the full article here
What’s On Offer: Wool, Workshops & Community
Expect a rich tapestry of experiences throughout the weekend:
- Live shearing, skirting, preparation demonstrations
- Opportunities to meet rare sheep breeds, including Wensleydale and Teeswater
- Fleece‑preparation and lock‑wash workshops with Mark Jones (Cefn Llan Fibre Flock)
- Textile artistry with Lena Archbold (felt‑making) and Shelley Steele (Felting Crazy)
- A Viking cloak showcase by Wendy Erskine
- Stalls selling fleeces, yarns, felted rugs, peg‑looms, drop‑spindles, Icelandic yarns and more
- Craft demonstrations in spinning, weaving, dyeing, knitting, crochet and natural dyeing
- A fibre fashion show on Sunday featuring handcrafted woolly garments and wearables
- See full list here
Talks & Featured Events
Saturday 26 July:
- 10:00 – Opening Ceremony, piped in by Olly McKie
- 11:30–12:15 – “Rehabilitation Through Fibre Art” with Lena Archbold & Sarah Weaver
- Screening of the Nettle Dress film (time to be confirmed)
- Details of the Nettle Dress here
Sunday 27 July:
- 11:00 – Sheep shearing & skirting talk by Cefn‑Llan Fibre Flock
- 12:00 – Repeat of “Rehabilitation Through Fibre Art” session
- 15:00 – Fibre Fashion Catwalk celebrating local, handmade wool designs
All set in or beside the evocative Roundhouse structure, connecting craft with antiquity.
Why This Matters
The Whithorn Roundhouse, a faithful Iron Age reconstruction dating from around 430 BC, sets a theatrical and symbolic stage—linking modern wool craft to millennia-old textile traditions. It serves as a living monument to ancient fibre culture.
The Eden Wool Gathering aims to nurture tradition, foster community, and preserve artisan skills for future generations—honouring both regional identity and sustainable practice.
Event Details
- Date: Sat 26 – Sun 27 July 2025
- Hours: 10:00–17:30 (Sat) / 10:00–16:30 (Sun)
- Location: Whithorn Roundhouse & Trust Field, Bruce Street, Whithorn, DG8 8NS, Scotland
- Tickets: £10 per day, £18 weekend pass; available on Eventbrite or at the gate—parking included
- Venue: Whithorn Trust café, museum and guided roundhouse tours open to visitors
- Tickets can be purchased here
“To stay up to date with event news, exhibitor announcements, and behind-the-scenes updates, join the Eden Wool Gathering Facebook page.
