The Big Tree Society reviews

13 May 14'

Sue Owen reviewed: A stool making day

"What a great day - it was lovely to be able to work outside and produce something really practical using a lot of skills that I never knew I could manage to do. Eoin and Gail gave really good advice and information and working within a group was very enjoyable. As well as learning how to make a stool, and the transferable skills which would allow us to make other furniture, we also learnt about the importance of woodland management. Alasdair's Gaelic song about trigger fingered Celts and Gail's chocolate cake also helped make a very memorable day."

24 Apr 14'

john pollock reviewed: A rustic chair making weekend

"had a wonderful day,working in great space and company.the confidence and knowledge of leaders was so helpful. when you think things are going wrong there, help was great advice soon blew away any doubt.such great day looking forward to another course."

22 Apr 14'

Peter Mehta reviewed: A rustic chair making weekend

"I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into when my partner bought me a chair making weekend - but I thoroughly enjoyed myself and have a chair made by myself out of a pile of logs and with minimal use of modern machines. A special bonus for me was to find out that the Borders tradition of community woodlands is still alive and well. Tim Stead would be proud of the work that is continuing in this beautiful part of Scotland."

21 Apr 14'

Gilly Robertson reviewed: A rustic chair making weekend

"A first class introduction to working with green wood delivered in a friendly, informative manner which could be understood by someone like me who was only vaguely familiar with the tools & terminology. I have a fabulous chair, made by Me,of which I am extremely proud. All credit & thanks to the team delivering the course & to my fellow attendees who were excellent company. Have already booked next venture!"

21 Apr 14'

Tim Hughes reviewed: A rustic chair making weekend

"The learning experience was ensured by the skill of the explanations and assistance, and for me the balance of supervision and letting get on with the job was well judged. The other students were good company and great all round start to green wood working. Thinking of the next box: despite all the possibilities of a different outcome, I still have 5 functioning digits on each hand and foot!"

16 Mar 14'

David Kerr reviewed: A stool making day

"Very good course,excellent tutors who did not interfere but were always available. Health and safety on a course using sharp tools is very important and the tutors managed their obligations well without being overly fussy. Could recommend chair making to anyone who likes wood and working with their hands and brains."

12 Mar 14'

Robert Sproul-Cran reviewed: A stool making day

"I really needed a break from the routine - to reconnect my brain with my hands. The atmosphere was supportive and very much tailored to individual ability and experience. I felt that I learned so much, and know that future efforts will benefit from that practical experience. I'm very proud of the chair that I made, and will haunt my family forever to make sure that it's handed down through the generations."

18 Feb 14'

Greg Morris reviewed: A stool making day

"What a fantastic day out! Exceeded all my expectations! Had an amazing time and everyone there looked the same. I learned a huge amount in what seemed to be a very short period of time and came away with a stool that now sits pride of place in my living room. I would well and truly recommend this course to anyone with or without a keen interest in wood work. Thanks very much to Gail, Dave and Eoin, will 100% be back to sample the chair or bench course this year at some point!"

17 Feb 14'

Niels Girvan reviewed: A stool making day

"Just wanted to say what a great time I had on the stool making course. The weather didn't look promising but I hardly noticed because the course was so involving. It was excellent to have three such knowledgeable and helpful tutors which meant we were well looked after. Also nice to meet participants from such a wide range of backgrounds. I got this course as a Christmas present and it was a brilliant change from the usual. I'll maybe think of signing up for a two day course to see what else I can make. Many thanks to Gail, Dave and Eoin!"

17 Feb 14'

Jason Ram reviewed: A stool making day

"I had a truly brilliant day with the lads and lady. This was the first time I had done any wood work since school and was made to feel relaxed from the moment I arrived. The tutors were excellent, the tools were first class and the stools we all left with at the end of the day were excellent. I have been made to feel inspired to go on and do more, us we got some great home made soup to boot. I would urge everyone to visit at least once and you are sure to leave with something you have made or bought. Thanks again and see you soon. First class."

29 Jan 14'

Stuart Macpherson reviewed: A stool making day

"I had a great day last weekend, shaping a big tree trunk into a stool. Idylic rustic setting where it never rains and a day full of good instruction and chat about the what, how and why of wood working. If you have toyed with the idea of doing a bit wood work then go on the course. You'll really enjoy it."

27 Jan 14'

joe nunn reviewed: A stool making day

"Course was excellent - five stars! Learned a lot and was really entertaining as well (down to the teachers!). In a beautiful court yard so a really nice spot to spend the day. The most fun I have had making stools!"

27 Jan 14'

Gaynor reviewed: A stool making day

"This course is brilliant. I went along thinking I might learn how to use a saw, and came away with a whole stool, some top knowledge on timber, and inspired that a place like this has grown up over 30 years and is going strong. Super fun, beautiful setting, great company. Thanks so much."

27 Dec 13'

Tom reviewed: A stool making day

"This was a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a Saturday. I felt motivated from the outset thanks to the wonderful environment in which the workshop takes place and the awesome teachers Eoin and Gail who patiently guide you through the different skill sets for working with green wood and in the end building a stool. Met some great folks, we had a laugh, we got creative and what a feeling of accomplishment at the end when you leave with a work of art under your arm. I absolutely recommend this class to those wishing to ignite their creative side!!!"

24 Dec 13'

Juliana reviewed: A stool making day

"A lovely day working with wood in an attractive courtyard with supportive companions and alert leaders - as soon as anyone needed extra help and guidance, it was there. We were reluctant to stop for lunch as we were so involved in trying to shave rough wood to smooth round legs. Lots of laughs too. I think were all surprised and delighted with what we had created."

17 Dec 13'

Juliette Oxford reviewed: A stool making day

"This course was arranged for me as a birthday present and I couldn't have asked for anything more enjoyable. I loved learning new skills lead by the excellent tutors Eoin and Gail, and making a stool all by myself ( with a little bit of help to make the holes ). Every time I look at or use the stool I feel so pleased. Thank you Big Tree!!"

17 Dec 13'

Chris Hellawell reviewed: A stool making day

"Had a wonderful day, learning new skills and meeting some lovely folks. Felt so motivated and creative afterwards that I was truly inspired to do some things to make a difference in my life, thanks in no small part to a super chat with Eoin in the pub after all our hard work. The stool has been re-wedged and is as sturdy as ever, taking pride of place in our living room. Many thanks."

17 Dec 13'

Michael bairstow reviewed: A stool making day

"Book now, you wont be disappointed, I had a Great day, i cant believe I actually made proper furniture out of some bits of tree !! If you want to get away from it and create something with your own hands i cant recommend this highly enough"

16 Dec 13'

Jono Ellis reviewed: A stool making day

"I went from zero practical experience to having made 2 stools in one day! :) The course was great - outside in the courtyard working with a range of tools to take green wood from logs all the way through shaping to be stool legs. The day was a good mix of chat and work and I definitely came away feeling like I'd learned enough to give this a go myself. Many thanks to Eoin and Gail - great teachers."

16 Oct 13'

Jim McManners OBE reviewed: A stool making day

"I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, everything from the drive up through the boarders on a beautiful day to the session in the pub at the end. Best of course was the work. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday. we worked individually but with just enough help to make us all successful and with lots of team work when needed. The venue is excellent with a real old fashioned feel of timeless workshop and an adjoining craft center to inspire us to want to do more. Eion and Gail have got this just right, the right balance of challenge and help, nothing soppy! hard work and very satisfying."

7 Oct 13'

Gavin Innes reviewed: A stool making day

"The stool making day at Buy design is a day to look forward to and treasure. The organisation, facilities and tuition from Eoin and Gail are perfectly prepared and organised. The day is paced in such a way as to feel both relaxed and at the same time filling you with a real sense of achievement. Throughout the day Eoin provides a real tuition in the principles behind community woodland management and the provenance of the timber you are given. Guidance and instruction in the various tools are also given all at the right pace and timing. This course is about enjoying making things with your hands and green wood, but you'll get so much more out of the day. I guarantee you will spend most of the day with a smile on your face! I managed to finish a stool in ash which, once it is engraved with his initials,will be passed to my youngest lad. Cheers Eoin and Gail I will certainly be back for another!"

21 Sep 13'

Gill M reviewed: A stool making day

"Great course(s)! Done two now - I have a beautiful stool / bedside table and now a hedge chair which is so nice nobody else is allowed to sit on it! The setting is great relaxing and welcoming, the instruction is clear and you learn so much more that just how to make the stool or chair. There was also lot of banter and laughter, our group ended up in the pub to celebrate our achievements with great local tipple from the Scottish Borders Brewery. Altogether the best weekend I'd had in ages. Try it - You'll be amazed at what you can create."

19 Sep 13'

janine blackmore reviewed: A stool making day

"What a fantastic weekend. I really didn't know what to expect having never lifted so much a saw prior to the course and I sincerely doubted that i would be walking away with a 'hand crafted'chair at the end of the two days - how wrong could i be!! Eoin and Gail were delightful and inspirational instructors,and, alongside their sense of humor and patience, put everyone at their ease with their'can do'attitude. The course was inspirational and i will certainly look at wood in a different way ( today we were scouring our local woodland area for branches in which to turn into legs and spindles).The course was well worth travelling over 300 miles to attend and i would recommend it to anyone wanting to do something satisfying and enriching."

17 Sep 13'

Alex Miller reviewed: A stool making day

"The stool-making course was brilliant! Beforehand I thought it would be a fun and novel way of spending the day, but several months have passed now and so many times when i see a woodland or even a lone tree, I think of the things I learned that day, from the shave horse to sustainable management of our forests. The instructors were great fun and extremely helpful, and the hands-on nature of the course meant i really earned those cups of tea! Thank you for a wonderful experience, and I'm looking forward to coming back for more." Alex"

16 Sep 13'

Kerry-Anne Martin reviewed: A stool making day

"Just back from the best weekend I've had in a long while making a chair. What an amazing achievement having turned up on Saturday morning with absolutely zero experience of tools or woodworking and leaving Sunday afternoon with a complete chair. I can't recommend it highly enough! Eoin and Gail who were facilitating the course were wonderful. Very inspiring and helpful giving you just enough instruction and knowledge to move you along but without being patronizing and letting you take the lead. And they were extremely patient too - a question was never too stupid! I have my chair at home and have to keep passing by it to touch it and remind myself that I really did create it!"