Ardchattan Pottery Course Spring 2026

Time & Location

11–12 April & 18–19 April 2026

The Ardchattan Centre, Bonawe, Oban PA37 1RH

Please note: the time shown by the booking system (10:00 on Saturday) refers to the overall event start time, not your individual wheel session. See booking details below.

About the class

Ardchattan Pottery Course – April 2026

Join us for a complete pottery experience at The Ardchattan Centre, taking clay from your very first throw on the wheel through to finished, glazed pots.

The course runs over two weekends:

• Weekend One: Saturday–Sunday, 11–12 April 2026

• Weekend Two: Saturday–Sunday, 18–19 April 2026

The week between weekends allows your pots to dry to leather hard, ready for trimming, decorating, and refining in week two.

Teaching is hands-on, calm, and limited to five people per session, with two experienced potters guiding you throughout. Everyone has their own wheel.

Important booking information – please read

Each day is split into three wheel sessions:

morning · midday · afternoon

When you receive your ticket, you may notice it shows a start time of 10am on Saturday 11 April.

This is the overall event start time generated by the booking system, not your individual wheel session.

👉 Your actual booked wheel session day and time is shown on your ticket underneath the event start time.

This corresponds to the time slot you selected when booking. Please check this carefully before arriving.

How your time works

You are not restricted to only attending during your wheel slot.

As long as you attend on the day you’ve booked (Saturday or Sunday), you’re very welcome to:

• arrive as early as you like

• stay as late as you like

• bring lunch and spend the full day in the studio

Outside your wheel time, you can explore hand-building, slab work, coil building, sculpture, and other techniques at your own pace.

What your ticket includes

• Two fixed 2-hour wheel sessions

  • one on Weekend One

  • one on Weekend Two

  • 4 hours of wheel time in total

• Open access for the rest of each day to hand-build and experiment

• All tuition, clay, glazing, and firings included

Because we run five wheels per session, wheel times can’t be moved on the day. Arriving outside your booked wheel slot simply means you’ll hand-build first or wait until your session begins.

If you’re unsure about your booked time at any point, just get in touch before the weekend and we’ll happily confirm it.

Weekend One – 11 & 12 April 2026

Three sessions available each day

Morning · Midday · Afternoon

• A 2-hour wheel session, focused on throwing and fundamentals with close guidance

• Full-day creative access outside your wheel slot

• Time to explore hand-building, slab building, coil pots, and other techniques at your own pace

This weekend is about making. Expect clay everywhere and steady improvement by the end of the day.

Weekend Two – 18 & 19 April 2026

You’ll return to your own pots to:

• Trim and refine forms

• Tidy bases and rims

• Carve, decorate, and add surface detail

You’ll again have a 2-hour wheel session, plus the option to stay all day to continue hand-building or experimenting.

This is where pieces start to look intentional rather than accidental.

Finishing & Glazing

On the second weekend, you’ll choose from a range of glazes and finishes.

We’ll then glaze and fire your work for you. This process takes up to four weeks, after which your finished pieces will be ready for collection. All the magic, none of the kiln anxiety.

Key Details

• Dates: 11–12 April & 18–19 April 2026 (Your time slot is choosen by you when booking)

• 5 wheels · 5 people per session

• 2 experienced tutors throughout

• 2-hour wheel sessions, with freedom to stay all day

• Venue: The Ardchattan Centre, Bonawe

From first throw to finished pot, this course gives you the full pottery process with time, space, and support to enjoy it properly. Calm, focused, and quietly addictive.

Below you can book your wheel time. This secures your 2-hour wheel session at the same time on each weekend.

On the day, you’re very welcome to arrive as early as you like and stay as late as you like, using the rest of the time to explore other techniques such as slab work, coil building, hand-building, or sculpture.