Create Your Own Harris Tweed Bag in the Islander Edinburgh Workshop

In nearly every souvenir store in Edinburgh, you’ll see Harris Tweed bags, Islander bags, and knock-offs. Rather than simply buying one, how about creating your own custom Islander tweed bag in the Islander Edinburgh Workshop?

I enrolled in the Islander Workshop Experience in Edinburgh and had an incredible time putting together my very own tweed backpack, complete with mismatched straps. Here’s a complete guide about the Islander Edinburgh Workshop, including everything you need to know before enrolling.

About the Islander Edinburgh Workshop

Islander was founded by a Chinese woman who moved to Scotland, married a Scottish man, and then started her own business. In 2010, she changed the name of her business to Islander and started selling Harris Tweed bags.

The Islander Edinburgh Workshop is fairly new, having started in 2022, but it’s caught on like wildfire and has become a popular thing to do while visiting Edinburgh.

Now that I’ve done the workshop, I can see why.

The format of the workshop makes it so fun to customize a unique bag with whatever colors you want! And most of the bag is already constructed, so all you have to do is screw on the straps and tweed. An easy but memorable task to do within an hour.

What to Expect in the Islander Edinburgh Workshop

The Islander Edinburgh Workshop lasts an hour and the time goes by so fast.

We were only given 5 minutes to select all the elements of our bag. The rest of the hour was dedicated to construction.

Before you know it, you’ll be walking out into the streets of Edinburgh with your very own Harris Tweed Bag, a perfect souvenir for your time in Scotland.

Did you know that Islander bags are made from vegan leather and authentic Harris Tweed? Harris Tweed is handwoven, finished, dyed, and spun by islanders in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

In the Islander Edinburgh Workshop you’ll gain a greater appreciation of Scottish tweed in addition to creating your custom Islander bag. So, let’s get into all you need to know before enrolling in this incredible workshop.

1. Introduction to the Islander Edinburgh Workshop

Once the Islander workshop begins, your instructor will introduce themselves and tell you how the next hour will go.

Our workshop instructor, Jill, was absolutely phenomenal. I was seriously impressed by her patience and friendliness as she guided all of us in the workshop to create our bags. She helped anyone who was confused and even checked every bag to ensure the bolts were tight enough. Shout out to Jill. If you get her as an instructor, count yourself lucky!

During the Islander workshop you’ll learn about Islander, tweed in Scotland, and how bags like these are created. It’s a very hands-on workshop, so the brief 5-minute introduction in the beginning is the only time you will just be sitting on your hands. The rest of the time, you will be working on your bag.

2. Select Your Bag Components in the Islander Edinburgh Workshop

The best (and most stressful) part of the workshop is when you select your bag components.

And for this important step, you’re only given 5 minutes!

The workshop is well organized with each wall of shelves housing all the components for each bag type. For example, there’s a wall of backpack components, a wall of medium satchel components, a wall of mini satchel components, and a wall of washbag components.

Here are the components you’ll need to select:

• Bag base
• Tweed
• Straps for the front (they do not have to match!)
• Shoulder strap or top strap (depending on your bag type)

Specific colors aren’t guaranteed. There’s no guarantee what color tweed or bags will be available on the day of your workshop. I actually wanted a tan or beige backpack base but it wasn’t offered on the day of my workshop. So I settled for my second-best option: green.

You don’t have to match colors. You can match or mismatch your combination of components to your liking. Make it uniquely your own.

It gets crowded when picking components. For those creating a satchel, it will get crowded at your wall of shelves. It’s helpful if you know what colors you want before you get up. But, it’s okay if you don’t. In my workshop, I was the only one who opted to create a backpack. So that meant I had the backpack wall to myself and didn’t have to fight to get a certain color tweed.

Once you make your selections, you’ll place them in the baskets they give you and sit back at your table, ready for further instruction.

3. Construct Your Bag in the Islander Edinburgh Workshop

Your instructor will walk you, step by step, in constructing your bag. You’ll be given little screwdrivers and bolts, and they’ll tell you where to fit them into which pieces.

The material you are working with is thick vegan leather, and so it was harder than it seemed to put together.

Thankfully, our instructor came around and helped everyone tighten their bags if they were having trouble. I know I did.

4. Wrap Up Your Bag in the Islander Edinburgh Workshop

Once your bag is finished, you’ll be given a dust cover and shopping bag to wrap up your masterpiece. You’ll also be given a small bag of bolts in case any of yours break loose in the future. Try not to doubt your construction abilities, but anything can happen, and it’s nice they plan for it.

Don’t forget to take a photo with your bag before you leave the workshop.

I wished we had wrapped up our bags after taking the photo outside, under the pretty floral doorway. But, whatever, at least now you can see what the dust covers look like in the photos below.

Tips about Enrolling in the Islander Edinburgh Workshop

Save space in your luggage. I signed up to create a backpack, which is quite large and can fit a laptop. I traveled with a larger, empty backpack as my personal item on the way to Scotland, so I could fit in my new backpack on the flight home. Consider leaving space in your suitcase or personal item for your new bag!

Get there early. The workshop room is small, and every chair will probably be taken. Arrive early to pick your seat and get a good look at all the tweed and strap colors before others arrive.

Note that the Candlemaker Row shop has stairs. The Edinburgh workshop on Candlemaker Row is upstairs, and no elevator is available. However, in April 2024, Islander opened a second shop in Edinburgh at 37 Marshall Street, which is accessible. There are no stairs at that shop on Marshall Street or in their St Andrews store either.

It’s okay to be indecisive. If you can’t decide on a tweed color, you can purchase extra components of the bag (i.e., a different tweed or strap color) to switch out later.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Islander Edinburgh Workshop

Is the Islander Edinburgh Workshop worth it?

Yes, the Islander Workshop Experience is definitely worth doing! If you like the look of the Harris Tweed bags, you’ll love creating your own. It’s not just a souvenir you’ll come home with but a memory.

How much does it cost to create your own Harris Tweed bag in the Islander Edinburgh Workshop?

Cost of the workshop ranges from £60 to £85.

• £60 for Mini Satchel
• £60 for Washbag
• £70 for Medium Satchel
• £85 for Backpack

The cost includes a seat in the workshop, the bag you create, as well as extra bolts in case any come loose.

How do you sign up for the Islander Edinburgh Workshop?

Sign up for the Islander Edinburgh Workshop on the Islander website. Advance bookings are highly recommended because these workshops do sell out!

There are a limited number of spots per workshop. In the Edinburgh workshop, there are only two tables, with about 6-8 people per table.

When you sign up, you’ll select the type of bag you’d like to create and pay at the time of your booking.

If you change your mind about your bag type, don’t worry. You can upgrade or downgrade to a smaller or larger bag at the workshop. If you downgrade, you won’t get a refund; instead, you’ll get a credit to use in the store. Perhaps you can find a matching tweed wallet or get an extra component for your bag?

Do men enroll in this workshop?

Yes! While my workshop consisted of all women, our instructor told us that she’s had several men take the workshop to create custom purses for their wife, girlfriend, mother, or other loved one.

Additionally, the backpack option was introduced specifically to draw in men. Create the backpack of your dreams, only at the Islander Edinburgh Workshop.

Are Islander bags made of real leather?

Islander bags are made from vegan leather that is both waterproof and sturdy.

Are Islander bags really made in Scotland?

Islander bags are made of authentic Harris Tweed. Did you know that Harris Tweed is inspected and checked before being stamped as authentic? Harris Tweed must meet the following requirements:

• It was hand woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
• It was finished in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
• It was made from pure virgin wool, dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

Most components of Islander bags are made in Scotland. However, our instructor told us that the linings in the bags are made in China, something they are up front about and don’t hide.

Where to stay in Edinburgh if planning to do the Islander Workshop?

Both of the Islander Workshop locations in Edinburgh are in Old Town.

The workshop at 37 Marshall Street Edinburgh is near the University of Edinburgh.

The workshop at 42 Candlemaker Row Edinburgh is near Grassmarket.

Here are nearby hotels I’d recommend:

• Apex Grassmarket Hotel (for views of the castle)
• Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel (for views of the castle)
• The Witchery by the Castle (on the Royal Mile, for a splurge)

What should I pack for visiting Edinburgh?

Warm, waterproof wear

If you’re visiting Edinburgh during its cold and rainy season (almost every month of the year besides a few weeks in summer), you should definitely bring a warm waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots.

• This waterproof jacket and these waterproof boots I took with me to Scotland helped us explore no matter the weather. We walked around Edinburgh in the rain and snow, during foggy mornings and chilly evenings, and enjoyed it all. Be prepared for rainy weather, and dress for it, so you don’t miss out.
• Also consider bringing fleece-lined leggings — I loved this pair I packed!

Favorite travel essentials

• I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
• I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
• I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
• I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
• For Americans, I recommend getting the Capital One Venture X credit card to relax and eat free food in select airport lounges. I’ve had my Capital One Venture X credit card for a few years now, and accessing airport lounges is my absolute favorite perk of the card. Every lounge is different, but most have a buffet available where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content. The annual fee of this card is high, but it evens out with the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles you get (on top of lounge access and free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry)!

Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to Scotland

3 Day Edinburgh Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide for First Timers

17 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh For Free

20 Best Places to Visit in New Town Edinburgh

Is There an Underground City in Edinburgh? (Guide + Map)

10 Best Places for Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh (I Tried 4!)

Complete Guide to Joining the Edinburgh Torchlight Procession during Hogmanay

20 Best Things to Do in Inverness, Scotland

Is a Day Trip to the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh Worth It?

All About the 2-Day Isle of Skye Tour from Inverness

Guide to Visiting Dunvegan Castle on Isle of Skye

Day Trip from Inverness to Dunrobin Castle (and Dornoch)

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