In this story:
- Sketching Edinburgh's hidden streets with Mark, The Edinburgh Sketcher
- Film photography and darkroom printing with Daniel Dabrowski
- Forging your own axe with Sandy at Athelstane Forge
- Upcycling and sustainable sewing with the The Edinburgh Sewcial Club
- Hand embroidery with Sammy Bishop at Paraffle
- Why unusual beats obvious in Edinburgh
- Which unusual Edinburgh class is right for you?
Did you know that you can learn the ancient art of embroidery, forge your own axe, and explore the art of printing photographs right here in the heart of Scotland's capital? If you've been searching for fun things to do in Edinburgh in 2026 and you've ticked off all the usual suspects, read on — because have we got a treat for you.
Whether you're a local creative crafter looking for a new challenge, or you're visiting the city and want to stay away from the usual tourist traps, we've rounded up five of our quirkiest, most interesting classes that will make your weekend in the city one to remember. And you don't need to just take our word for it — we've teamed up with some of our ClassBento crafters who were so happy with their sessions that they just couldn't hold it in.
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Sketching Edinburgh's hidden streets with Mark, The Edinburgh Sketcher
Fancy getting creative and exploring all the nooks and crannies of Edinburgh at the same time? The Edinburgh Sketcher is here to take you — pencil in hand — on a guided tour of his favourite parts of the city and show you how to capture the beautiful architecture in pencil, ink and watercolour. In this two-and-a-half-hour city centre sketching tour, you'll learn all about perspective, depth and composition and get to marvel at spectacular historic locations — and uncover a few hidden gems along the way. All materials are provided; no drawing experience necessary.
They loved it and think you will too…
“Mark was very kind and approachable, and welcoming to all skill levels. He provided all the materials we needed, and also shared the details of these in case we wanted to buy them for ourselves after the session. I learnt a lot about shading, perspective, and kindly embracing my mistakes.I really enjoyed the session and would recommend this Edinburgh experience to other artists at any skill level!” - Louise Harkness
Film photography and darkroom printing with Daniel Dabrowski
If you’ve been wanting to get away from the ‘snap-and-go’ vibes of modern picture-taking, then lifelong photographer Daniel Dabrowski is here to help! Whether you’re keen to get a little more creative with your images or you’d just like to learn some time-honoured skills, his photography darkroom experience will take you back in time and let you get to grips with printing pictures the traditional way. The session runs for two and a half hours (£60 per person, 1–2 guests). You'll spend the evening immersed in the peaceful sanctuary of the darkroom learning the entire process — from developing your film to producing prints, it's all covered — and you'll leave with your own set of professionally finished photographs. Black and white film featuring Edinburgh images is provided, or you can bring your own developed film.
They loved it and think you will too…
“This was such a hands-on workshop! Daniel was very informative and his way of teaching was learning by doing. He showed us the entire process from start to finish, beginning with taking photographs with a cool film camera, then step-by-step treating the film and finally developing it into photographs. I was blown away! Thank you for this learning experience Daniel, you are a fantastic teacher!” Pinelopi Metaxa
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Forging your own axe with Sandy at Athelstane Forge
Desperately seeking quirky Edinburgh activities? If you’re looking for out-of-the-ordinary experiences that will fire up (sorry!) your creativity, Sandy at Athelstane Forge is here to introduce you to the ancient and beautiful art of blacksmithing. At this axe making workshop, you and your fellow crafters will learn how to forge your own axes from start to finish — guided by Sandy himself, you'll learn how to heat and shape metal and add a functional wooden handle. The class runs for four hours and costs £240 per person; small groups mean plenty of one-on-one attention throughout. Sandy's forge is in Newbridge, a short drive from the city centre. Wear cotton clothing and sturdy footwear; bring a drink — it's thirsty work.
They loved it and think you will too…
“Sandy was an excellent teacher! We learned how to forge and heat treat steel, and came away with a fine axe. All the tools and equipment were great, and the PPE provided along with Sandy’s advice kept us safe.” Richard Atkey
Upcycling and sustainable sewing with the The Edinburgh Sewcial Club
Whether you’re looking for fun places in Edinburgh to hang out and get crafty, or you’ve got a serious urge to get stitching and give your wardrobe a makeover, the Edinburgh Sewcial Club is the place to be. Led by a talented textile artist, their upcycling course is intermediate level and perfect for anyone who wants to show a little love to their old clothes, homewares, or the planet. The course runs across four consecutive evenings (£110 in total) and during those sessions you'll learn a variety of pattern cutting skills and sewing techniques that will let you transform old clothes and charity shop finds into the garments of your dreams — so get ready to dazzle in bespoke dresses, sparkle in made-to-measure shirts, and wow your nearest and dearest with some out-of-this-world accessories. Bring a few items of clothing you'd like to upcycle.
They tried it and think you should too…
“Really great class, thank you! It was such a dream to walk into a room full of sewing machines; just so nice to get out of the house and sew with like minded people. I got some really great inspiration for future projects, and I'm so happy with what I made during the class!” Erin Figov
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Hand embroidery with Sammy Bishop at Paraffle
Sticking with Edinburgh activities for serious sewing fans, Sammy Bishop of Paraffle has got a treat in store if you’re looking for soothing weekend experiences to help you wind down. Over the space of three hours, this beginner’s embroidery workshop will teach you the basics of hand stitching — from choosing your design right through to the very last stitch. The studio is in St Margaret's House, Edinburgh. Perfect for anyone who's new to working with a needle and thread, you'll learn a range of different embroidery techniques, be guided through the different stitches, and will finish the class with a completed piece of embroidery — perfect for framing, or adding to another textile project. All materials are provided.
They tried it and think you should too…
“Sammy was very friendly and helpful, and the small group meant that we could all see clearly as she was demonstrating the different stitches, and she was able to give us all individual help or advice if required. There were lots and lots of beautiful embroidery kits all suitable for beginners, so it was very hard to choose, and the materials, thread and embroidery hoop were all very good quality. It was really good value for money! I’m pretty much a beginner, and by the end of the session, I felt able to go home and continue confidently with my piece. I’d recommend this class to anyone interested in trying out embroidery for the first time, or as a refresher. Loved every minute! Thank you.” Valerie
Why unusual beats obvious in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has no shortage of things to do. Ghost tours along the Royal Mile, whisky tastings in the Old Town, another evening in a city-centre pub — all fine, but none of them give you anything to take home, or a skill you'll still have in six months. A four-hour session forging your own axe with Sandy at Athelstane Forge (£240) gets you a handmade tool, working knowledge of blacksmithing, and a story that's entirely yours. A darkroom evening with Daniel Dabrowski (£60) gives you physical prints you developed yourself and a process most people have never seen in person. The comparison isn't really about cost — it's about what you walk away with.
Which unusual Edinburgh class is right for you?
| Your situation | Best match | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| You want something to take home | Axe making with Sandy at Athelstane Forge | £240 | 4 hours |
| You want a solo or two-person session | Darkroom photography with Daniel Dabrowski | £60 | 2.5 hours |
| You want to get outside and explore the city | Sketching tour with The Edinburgh Sketcher | [confirm price] | 2.5 hours |
| You want something slow, meditative, affordable | Beginner's embroidery with Sammy Bishop | [confirm price] | 3 hours |
| You want a course over multiple sessions | Upcycling with the Edinburgh Sewcial Club | £110 | 4 evenings |
If you'd like to pair one of these classes with a local Edinburgh spot before or after, our guide to hidden Edinburgh activities has seven class-and-attraction combinations worth a look.
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Runs regularly
Edinburgh
1 to 4 guests
£65 - £85
6 years in business
4k followers
