RESIDENTS are being encouraged to unleash their creative skills at an exciting workshop in Cumnock.

Those interested in learning stonemasonry and decorative embroidery techniques are being invited to Make it Mondays at Dumfries House

The programme offers beginners the chance to try their hand at a variety of different traditional craft skills.

Dozens of local people have taken part in the series so far, and members of the public with an interest in producing bespoke carved stone and learning to produce ribbon embroidery as a decorative element in garment-making.

A stonecarving and stonelettering workshop will give participants the opportunity to learn the traditional craft of forming a bespoke stone piece with inscription. A master craftsman will run three sessions, on September 2, October 7, and November 4. Those signing up have the opportunity to enrol on one, two, or all three sessions to create a personalised, ready-to-take-home item.

On Monday 2 September, those with an interest in embroidery can learn the intricacies of the ribbon technique, which combines three-dimensional fabric manipulation.

The Make It Mondays Ribbon Embroidery workshop will be held in the decadent surroundings of The Rothesay Room in the main house and is open to those over the age of 16.

Future Make It Mondays workshops include opportunities to use wildflowers on the estate to create dye used to print floral patterns on fabric, gardening during winter, and instruction on a range of cooking, baking, and craft. More information can be found in the What’s On section of the Dumfries House website.

Christian Harvey, education co-ordinator for The Prince’s Foundation at Dumfries House, said: “Through The Prince’s Foundation’s education programmes, we offer workshops and training to hundreds of trainees and school pupils every year. Visitors to the estate are always asking us about the crafts we teach so we wanted to give members of the public the chance to have a go themselves.

“Our Make It Mondays classes have been incredibly popular last year and we’re looking forward to welcoming participants of our stonecarving and ribbon embroidery workshops in the coming weeks.”

Participation in each workshop costs £25 per person. Advance booking is necessary and can be made by calling 01290 425 959 or via https://www.dumfries-house.org.uk/book/tickets

From modest beginnings, Dumfries House is now the second-largest employer in East Ayrshire with more than 250 full-time and part-time staff across the house, estate and education and training programmes.