Wild Rose Escapes reviews

Jackie Wynia reviewed: Craft Retreat at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"It is difficult to describe a perfect vacation which is exaxtly the experience at the Wild Rose Escape Craft Retreat... Perfect! Rosie and her family share their lifestyle selflessly. The fabulous food, crafts, new friendships, and Highland scenery, more than met my expectations. I left the retreat feeling accomplished in my creations and inspired to do more and hoping to return! I highly recommend Wild Rose Escapes!"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Thank-you Jackie! It was a pleasure to have met you and I'm so glad you enjoyed your time with us. We'd love to have you back again, Many thanks! Yours Rosie"

Mary Barton reviewed: Craft Retreat at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"I have just had the most wonderful week, spent in the company of lovely people! Everything about the course was so well organised, even the weather was great! From first thing in the morning with Joanie doing yoga to a lovely leisurely breakfast and then the smashing walks and craft days to a lovely evening meal cooked by Rosie and assisted by Joanie! We really had a very memorable week! We even were visited by Rosie’s lovely children on Halloween who sang to us and told us jokes! Rosie and Joanie are the most delightful hosts, nothing is too much trouble for them, we were even provided with hot water bottles in case we were cold at night! The accommodation was lovely spacious, warm ( we had a lovely log fire each evening) and was set in beautiful grounds. I enjoyed myself so much I’ve already signed up for another course next year! Looking forward to it already!"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Thank-you so much Mary! it will be so lovely to have you back again next year. Yours Rosie"

Hilary Butcher reviewed: Craft Retreat at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"I have just returned from wild rose craftcourse 26th October to 1st November 2019, it exceeded all expectations from Rosie's friendly welcome to her hugging me goodbye! Rosie is and excellent host and cook/chef. She catered for at least four different dietary requirements with ease serving imaginative meals which were healthly and delicious and there was plenty of homemade cakes, bread and fresh fruit everyday ! The accommodation was modern and spacious. Rosie is a fountain of knowledge and her ability and patience is boundless! She enabled everyone to achieve wonderful results when teaching craft skills to make an eco printed scarf, shabori, batik and wet and needle felting, sending them home with the results to show off to family and friends. Well done Rosie 5 STARS from me"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Thank-you for your lovely review Hilary- I'm so glad you enjoyed your time with us, it was so nice to meet you. Yours Rosie"

Sara Condron reviewed: Craft Retreat at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"From the ride from the station this week was an amazing experience. Alex gave us a great rundown of the local environment we were travelling into allowing for this Aussie to acclimatise. The Stables accommodation was very welcoming and comfortable and perfect for our group of 6. Rosie inspired us all to explore the wonders of Highland crafting with natural dyeing techniques, eco-printing and felting. To be able to use products collected from the local area and create wonderful colours and products was fabulous. Joanie's take on the world gave me food for thought and I have another way of thinking to explore and yoga to take up. The wonderful food cooked for us could be an issue if I'd stayed longer as it was too yummy to resist. Walking through the forests of Glen Affric and Loch Ness was an experience to remember as was the beautiful weather Scotland put on for us. A swim in the loch a bonus. Learning about Scottish crafting heritage and participating in waulking singing with Ele (don't need to be able to sing) was great fun along with an evening of spinning with Ali and visits to local craftspeople. Was very sad to leave and hope I will have an opportunity to go back in the future"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Sara, Thank-you for your lovely review- i'm so glad you enjoyed your break from travels with us, it was a pleasure to have met you..and i'm so glad you got a chance to have a dip in a Scottish loch! Hopefully see you again when you next visit the UK. Yours Rosie"

Janet Fearn reviewed: Craft Retreat at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"Rosie is the icing and the cherry on the cake! The course content and accommodation met the description, however it is in the detail that you find the excellence. Rosie's consummate people skills brought 6 strangers into a cohesive group. Anyone wondering if the course would be suitable for them as a lone traveller worry not! Yoga teacher Joannie brought us peace and relaxation, Ele amazing folk singing and Ali beautiful wool! Josie's forest home where we spent time dyeing wool in cast iron pots over open fires and felting is amazing with stunning views. Her huge barn workshop was like walking through the wardrobe and finding yourself in Narnia...........magical."

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Janet, thank-you so much for your lovely words, it was so nice to have met you and i'm so glad you enjoyed your time with us. Come and see us if you make it up this way again! Yours Rosie"

Megan Collins reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"Awesome weekend with Rosie! We learned so much from her. The course was very well-paced and we covered a lot of material. I would highly recommend doing one of her workshops if you have ever been interested in natural dyes, or want to learn a bit more! Thanks again! And thanks for all the amazing food and all the tea!"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Megan, I'm so glad you enjoyed our natural dyeing weekend, it was lovely to have met you and I hope you can now really get stuck into dyeing. Yours Rosie"

Eva Stacey reviewed: Hand-Spinning & Natural Dyeing Retreat, Highlands, Scotland

"Having never ventured on a week spent together with complete strangers before, I’m happy to say that Rosie made the whole experience really relaxed, calm and very enjoyable indeed. I learnt so much about both dyeing and spinning, and within such a lovely and peaceful environment. Everything was well organised but never felt too disciplined or restricted and we could all work and develop our skills at our own pace. Ele’s singing brought something extra to the experience and it is a credit to her that we all joined in! Thank you so much for a lovely time spent in a beautiful part of the world!"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"I'm so glad you enjoyed your time with us Eva- it was lovely to have met you, i'm so glad you found it relaxing and enjoyable. Many thanks! Rosie"

Nicky Lambert reviewed: Hand-Spinning & Natural Dyeing Retreat, Highlands, Scotland

"I loved spending time with Rosie and her team! Everthing was well organised from our pick up, to our departure - I woudnt have changed a thing! The accommodation was spacious and the surroundings lovely. The food was delicious and our activities were varied, interesting and well-chosen. Most of all though, Rosie is calm, patient, endlessly helpful and a joy to be around. I found my time on the course incredibly relaxing and came home rejuvenated. I have since bought a spinning wheel!"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Thank-you for your review Nicky, -that's great you have bought yourself a wheel- just let us know if you need any advice. Happy Spinning- lovely to have met you. Yours Rosie"

Liz Scott reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"This course was well taught and great fun. Rosie was extremely generous with her knowledge and materials.Her family were welcoming and her home inspirational. Fresh air, beautiful surroundings and home baking! What more could one ask for? Thank you."

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Liz, Lovely to have you on the course and i'm so glad you enjoyed all the aspects of the weekend. Yours Rosie"

Lynda Marshall reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"Rosie’s talent, knowledge and relaxed manner of teaching made this course a fabulous experience. Use of natural materials and care for the environment were paramount. The rustic woodland setting was fabulous. I learned so much, I highly recommend this course."

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Lynda, Great to have you on the course and i'm so glad you enjoyed the weekend and I hope your exhibition goes well. Yours Rosie"

Hannah reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"I thoroughly enjoyed myself whilst on a weekend workshop learning about eco printing. I have some experience with textiles and was impressed with the amount of knowledge Rosie has in regards to textiles, dyeing process, as well the history surrounding dyes and materials. Rosie is a great teacher who is extremely accommodating, helpful and approachable. She was keen for us to explore and try out a variety of methods over the course of the weekend. She took on board our interests and adapted the techniques we were covering to allow us the options to explore these interests showing the depth of her knowledge and ability as a textile artist. I would and am already considering doing another course. Great value for money with lots fitted in, not to mention the amazing home made food offered by Rosie and her family. A really welcoming and relaxed environment with great people - thank you!"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"I'm so glad you enjoyed your time with us Hannah- I'm sure you are going to go on and print many more beautiful pieces. Yours Rosie"

Jacqueline hutton reviewed: Hand-Spinning & Natural Dyeing Retreat, Highlands, Scotland

"From the time I was picked up from Inverness I was looked after. Rosie and her family welcomed us with warmth and kindness. Rosie is the most gentlest person sharing her amazing skills in a very relaxed calm and patient way, amongst this amazing scenery. I felt that the week was very balanced, giving time for sightseeing as well as learning about preparation, drying and then spinning. Rosie's home-cooked meals were very tasty and left me very contented. Nothing was too much trouble, the week was amazing I came home buzzing. Can’t wait to return."

Carlotta Graham reviewed: Indigo Weekend -Shibori & Batik Workshop at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course I attended 11/12 May. I learnt such a lot. I had never tie dyed before, so that was new to me. My friend and I had a belated birthday treat. The indigo dying process was a lot cleaner than I had expected. Rosie kindly showed me how to Shibori using a piece of piping, as you do. I wish to translate that particular skill into felt making/dying. Great tuition, easy to follow, the pace was perfect, I didn't feel rushed, specially as a novice I was a bit tentative about it. Thankfully it was good weather so we were able to be outside for the duration of the course. A great environment to learn, spectacular views.The other attendees were great too, lovely to learn from each other. I would highly recommend the course. I would certainly hope to be back again. Many thanks Rosie (and your family), for your patience and your excellent hospitality."

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Carlotta, thank-you for your review, it was lovely meeting you and i'm so glad you enjoyed the course and I hope you get a chance to experiment with the techniques. Yours Rosie"

jeannette reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"Great course run by a fun lady. Educational and enjoyable ..a great break from life. I have learned techniques that I can use and build upon. Cannot fault the course."

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Jeanette, I'm glad you enjoyed your weekend with us and also staying in the yurt, it was lovely meeting you. Yours Rosie"

Pippa stevens reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"Fabulous weekend in lovely surroundings. Rosie is full of knowledge about plants and dyeing and shared her enthusiasm. We learnt a lot in a short time. Great food too. Left feeling inspired to experiment."

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Pippa, I'm so glad you enjoyed the course, and I hope you can now carry on natural dyeing in Harris. Yours Rosie"

Deborah Martell reviewed: Felting and natural dyeing craft holiday in the Highlands of Scotland

"I attended a weeklong fleece to felt course in May 2019, which included room and board, a sheep shearing demonstration, foraging for natural dyes, fleece washing, picking, carding and spinning. Hand dyeing fleece, silk, and cotton with natural dyes, botanical printing, wet felting, and needle felting. Anyone interested in these topics, whether a beginner or experienced will benefit from the knowledge of the instructors and the interplay with other class members. The instruction was very hands on and easy to understand and follow. Interesting historical context was included when appropriate. Instructors were very open to questions and to sharing time saving techniques. Our accommodations were very comfortable. Meals were well prepared with a focus on health, flavour, variety, and aesthetics. Our lessons on washing, carding, and dyeing were at an off-the-grid croft; an interesting setting to learn about and experience. Sustainablity practices were evident at the farm, at our accommodations, and in our course instruction. Access to outdoor walking was available all week. I thoroughly enjoyed the structured class time and the hours in between. As a visitor from America, this was a wonderful immersion opportunity for learning about Scottish history, customs, and current culture --in addition to all the class topics that I mentioned above. If you are interested in fibre arts, you won't regret taking a course with Rosie!"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Thank-you for your review Deb, and i'm so glad you enjoyed your week with us. I hope you enjoy the next part of your travels. Many thanks Rosie"

hazel mackenzie reviewed: Indigo Weekend -Shibori & Batik Workshop at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"Had a really fantastic weekend again. My 5th visit to Rosie's. The course was really informative, a great bunch of people too. Rosie always makes everything such fun. The results were really great and we produced so much. I went away with a beautiful table cloth and napkins etc. Rosie also gave me advice about material that I brought with me. It would also be a great course for someone new to craft or lacking confidence about crafting. Really fabulous weekend."

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Hazel, I'm so glad you enjoyed are new Indigo course- and great to have your feedback, it was a great weekend and so nice to see you again. Yours Rosie"

Sue Jones reviewed: Indigo Weekend -Shibori & Batik Workshop at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"I had a brilliant weekend doing craft just for myself, excellent teaching, lovely fellow crafters, great weather and some very yummy cake!"

Sarah Foxley reviewed: Craft Retreat at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"I was unlucky enough to arrive a day later than the other guests owing to a spot of freak September weather but Rosie went above and beyond the call of duty, helping me sort alternative trains and then kindly driving into Inverness late on the Sunday evening to meet me at the station. The remainder of the week unfolded effortlessly into a pattern of stunning scenic walks interspersed with craft activities such as eco dyeing, silk printing and felt making. Everything was beautifully organised yet in such a comfortingly informal manner that it felt more like a relaxed family holiday than a rigid course. Food was freshly prepared and delicious and there was a seemingly endless variety of hot drinks and homemade cake for all those in-between times! But what will probably stay with me the longest was the warmth of both Rosie and Joannie who took the time to get to know each and every guest, instinctively knowing when to listen, encourage and allow space if needed. Equally welcoming were Rosie's friends, Ally and Ele, who kindly shared their spinning and traditional singing skills with us on a couple of evenings. All in all it was a very special week and one which will stay with me for a long time to come."

Flora reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"Fabulous 2 days. Rosie is very knowledgeable and a great communicator. We spent time outdoors, identified and foraged for plants to use in the natural dyeing process. It was great to find out what plants are easily available and which parts of the plants impart the best colour. Rosie packed a lot in but never overwhelmed. We were even given a chance to try some ecoprinting-fab. By the end of the two days we had an ecoprinted bag filled with colourful samples of the fleece From our dyepots, a notebook to identify each sample and the dye process and printed instructions to follow when home. Unlike some courses the 2 days were uplifting rather than exhausting. Lovely lunch, ideal setting, perfectly organised from start to finish. Definitely recommend."

Liz Williams reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"Interesting course, well taught by Rosie. Good food as well."

Marika reviewed: Felting and natural dyeing craft holiday in the Highlands of Scotland

"It really was everything I hoped, and much more. My room was really nice and slept very well. Rosie is excellent cook, got new ideas also on that area. Course itself is well planned, each day has something unique to offer. You really see and learn about the whole process of felting and dyeing. Recommend highly and the area has amazing nature and views."

Lynn Booth reviewed: Felting and natural dyeing craft holiday in the Highlands of Scotland

"This course exceeded expectations. The instruction and felting was well planned, with a good amount of learning and work with a nice amount of breaks. The setting is breathtaking so hiking and walking were superb. The food was fantastic! Rosie was a wonderful host who was super responsive to requests and suggestions. And she was knowledgable about the subject and the area, so I learned a great deal. I would return."

hazel mackenzie reviewed: Hand-Spinning & Natural Dyeing Retreat, Highlands, Scotland

"What a fantastic week we had on the dye to spin course with the amazing Rosie. Great company, great surroundings as well as learning new skills The week was made by Rosie. She is really an exceptionally gifted facilitator who worked so well with the group and made it fun...even the hard bits It is the fourth course I have done with her ....fortunately I am not a gifted crafter and so no doubt will come back again to sample the special magic that Rosie weaves!!"

Anne Fernweh reviewed: Hand-Spinning & Natural Dyeing Retreat, Highlands, Scotland

"I enjoyed every minute of this course. Each day was beautifully balanced between hands-on learning activities and leisure time to walk the stunning landscape, knit, read or just enjoy the company of others on the course. It had something for everyone of all levels and Rosie was an extremely patient, accommodating teacher. It was wonderful to look back at the end of the week on all that we had accomplished and covered in such a short time. It was very hard to leave!"