Wheel Throwing Taster Class

Unleash your creativity at the pottery wheel in this dynamic two-hour class in Leith.



2 hours Class size 1 to 4 guests    

  £60 - £90 (£60 for Public; £90 for Private)

Step into our studio and let the magic of wheel throwing whisk you away in this immersive pottery experience! Perfect for individuals or friends, families, and couples looking to try something new, our Wheel Throwing Taster Class offers a delightful introduction to the art of ceramics. Whether you're an aspiring potter or simply looking for a fun activity, this is a great opportunity to feel the power of clay.
Guided by a qualified instructor with international training, you'll begin with a demonstration of wheel throwing techniques and then experience the thrill of molding your own pieces, transforming clay into cylinders and bowls. Thanks to customized, hands-on guidance and a relaxed atmosphere in groups of maximum four, you'll be able to create and experiment with confidence.
Even if you've never touched a pottery wheel before, you'll find the experience surprisingly accessible. The nature of the craft appeals to anyone who likes getting their hands dirty, and there is no pressure to be technically perfect. Reconnect with the simple joy of playing with mud and let creativity carry you! You might just discover a passion that leads you to one of our longer courses.
At the end of the session, you'll select your favorite one or two pieces to be glazed and fired, turning your creations into lasting mementos.

Upcoming dates for Wheel Throwing Taster Class

Times are London time. Dates and prices as of 7 Oct 2026, 3:33am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

12 upcoming dates between 16 Oct 2026 and 18 Dec 2026.

  • Fri 16 Oct 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Sat 17 Oct 2026, 1pm-3pm
  • Fri 23 Oct 2026, 1pm-3pm
  • Sat 24 Oct 2026, 1pm-3pm
  • Fri 30 Oct 2026, 1pm-3pm
  • Fri 6 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 13 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 20 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 27 Nov 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 4 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 11 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
  • Fri 18 Dec 2026, 10am-12pm
What you'll get
Craft and take home one or two beautifully finished pieces.
Read more details   
Knowledge required
None—this class is suitable for all skill levels!
What to bring
Please bring an apron if you have it; otherwise, we'll provide one.

FAQ

Is any preparation required?
None, but please be aware that working at the wheel with long nails can be tricky. Your instructor will be available to help, if you need.
Location

Edinburgh Open Workshop, 39-41 Assembly Street, Leith, Edinburgh

Wheel Throwing Taster Class location
Verified reviews


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Recent reviews of Wheel Throwing Taster Class

  • 5/5 from Jennifer Sato, attended Oct 2026: loved the teacher and the things we made. the small class size ensured everyone got help and guidance when needed. really pleased with the whole experience.
  • 5/5 from Katie Brown, attended Oct 2026: Great morning making the pots, had a really fun time. Everything was explained brilliantly even if it wasn't executed by me very well.
  • 5/5 from Lidia Sanchez Romero, attended Sep 2026: It was an amazing experience that I completely recomend. The teacher is super nice and she explains the technique very well and pays close attention to you all the time.
  • 5/5 from Rhona Drummond, attended Sep 2026: Teacher was excellent, thoroughly demonstrated and explained techniques, Correcting issues but still clearly Our own work! Enjoyed it a lot
  • 5/5 from Karen Jarvis, attended Sep 2026: Ciara was lovely, so warm and welcoming and certainly knew her stuff! She was patient and supportive while still ensuring the class was stretchy enough for me to learn. Highly recommend
  • 5/5 from Jessamine Rachel Warburton, attended Sep 2026: Had an amazing time - Chiara was so patient and an excellent teacher, and was always on hand with any difficulties or questions. Would strongly recommend to anyone with an interest in pottery. The gift card was easy to redeem and great to use. Fantastic experience! I look forward to collecting my bowl and Cup in a few weeks!
  • 5/5 from Christine Rex, attended Sep 2026: I really enjoyed the class, our teacher was excellent. She explained everything very well and gave us encouragement and help when required.
  • 5/5 from Susanne Blair, attended Aug 2026: Absolutely loved it. Something I've never done but have always fancied it. It was mesmerising Thanks Chiara
  • 5/5 from Zara Villis, attended Jul 2026: Really great taster session to introduce you to fundamental techniques. Teach was really helpful in explaining everything!
  • 5/5 from Darren Clark, attended Jul 2026: Very good taster class! The teacher was amazing.
  • 5/5 from Thomas Crosthwaite, attended Jul 2026: Really good fun and learnt a lot!
  • 5/5 from David Milne, attended Jul 2026: All 4 of us produced 2 bowls that we were happy with and had a great deal of enjoyment making, despite no experience of doing before. Chiara is an excellent teacher - she displays real enthusiasm - and breaks the whole process down to simple steps, and explains why each step is done that way. She could accommodate me being left-handed (wheel rotates in the opposite direction to you wierd right handed people). Absolutely recommend.
  • 5/5 from Alexandra Diouri, attended Jul 2026: Did a taster pottery class. Chiara explained and demonstrated the process really well and was on hand to give tips.
  • 5/5 from Neil Davidson, attended Jul 2026: What a wonderful way to spend 2 hours. Chiara was great at guiding us newbies through the basics with wheel throwing, the fact that we all got 2 good pieces out of it was testament to her. We all had time to ask questions and get help. I loved getting to feel how the clay behaved (and occasionally misbehave). I'd definitely recommend a session at the wheel, it was so much fun!!
  • 5/5 from Grace Edwards, attended Jul 2026: Great taster session!
  • 5/5 from Sandra Martin, attended Jul 2026: Class was excellent, tuition was very clear and helpful, teacher was very nice and helpful when we asked questions. Would highly recommend this class but be warned will give you the bug to do it more, thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience now I want a potters wheel.
  • 5/5 from Katie Swanson-Smith, attended Jul 2026: Kiara was our teacher and she was fantastic. She gave clear instructions in the preview before we started and was very reassuring and professional throughout. We had booked the party for four and all four of us absolutely loved it. We think this is a great class which was really fun and it was great to learn something new we were able to make two pots each.
  • 5/5 from Vicki Brown, attended Jun 2026: I really enjoyed this class. I feel it went at the right pace for an absolute beginner. I'm looking to book again to have another go and to bring my partner and daughter! In a few weeks I'm very excited to go and collect my 2 pots. I would have loved to have had the option to book another session to decorate them but that's just me! Thank you!
  • 5/5 from Jane Lopez, attended Jun 2026: Teacher very good and very attentive. Very enjoyable class.
  • 5/5 from Tricia Alston, attended Jun 2026: Great fun and lovely teacher
  • 5/5 from Callum McIntosh, attended Jun 2026: Teacher was amazing, very helpful and friendly. Great class to experience!
  • 5/5 from Abigail Morton, attended May 2026: I had my first pottery class and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I attended with my sister, Kym, and my niece, Abigail, which made it even more special. The atmosphere was relaxed, friendly and encouraging, making it perfect for complete beginners. Kym created a beautiful tapas dish, and we are all eagerly awaiting the results after our pieces have been glazed and fired in the kiln. There was something very satisfying about working with clay and seeing our creations take shape. It was a lovely way to spend time together, learning a new skill, sharing plenty of laughs and creating memories as well as pottery. I would highly recommend the class to anyone looking for a creative and enjoyable experience
  • 5/5 from Ianessa Stromberg, attended May 2026: Really easy to book and was a lovely workshop. Felt well guided and was able to make 2 pots in the time we had. Would reccomend to others wanting to do something new by themselves work with a friend.
  • 5/5 from Kim Mackay, attended May 2026: A really fun class and a great introduction to pottery - it’s not as easy as it looks! The teacher gave really clear instructions and easy to follow demonstrations with explanations of what was happening to the clay (and always on hand to help correct mistakes). Would highly recommend.
  • 5/5 from Graeme Taylor, attended May 2026: A most enjoyable experience. Our teacher was both friendly and super efficient, not to mention patient and very helpful.
  • 5/5 from Manasi Shyam Rane, attended May 2026: Absolutely loved this pottery class. The instructor - Chiara was brilliant — so patient, friendly, and knowledgeable. She made the whole experience fun and easy to follow, even for a complete beginner like me and my friend. We walked away with a lovely handmade piece and a big smile. Highly recommend it.
  • 5/5 from Marta McIntyre, attended May 2026: Brilliant class! It was a lovely class with just the four of us as a family with two children. First time trying pottery and we all enjoyed it, had a great time, instructions were easy to follow and we always had a helping hand if something went not quite right. Would thoroughly recommend it!
  • 5/5 from Angela Nappi, attended May 2026: What an amazing class! Chiara is fantastic, she helps you throughout the whole process and you can really see that she loves what she is doing and is very passionate about it. Will definitely recommend and will for sure be back!
  • 5/5 from Ivana Rimonto, attended May 2026: Fantastic experience, Chiara is very experienced and a very good teacher. Highly recommended. I will go back.
  • 4/5 from Sharon Stewart, attended May 2026: I wanted another pottery experience. I learnt slightly different techniques with hands for centering. Teacher was lovely, easy to talk to
  • 5/5 from Aileen McLean, attended Apr 2026: Great class for an introduction to pottery and using a throwing wheel. Excited to see the end product after firing and glazing! Really well explained process at the beginning and hands on support throughout.
  • 5/5 from Heather R Steel, attended Apr 2026: Very enjoyable experience. Clear teaching. Friendly, kind and fun. Well appointed studio, easy to reach by both bus and tram.
  • 5/5 from Jahleel, attended Apr 2026: Me and my friends had an amazing time learning how to make pottery on the wheel! It was well worth the 2 hours and we cannot wait to see the result!
  • 5/5 from Nicola, attended Apr 2026: This was such a lovely way to spend a couple of hours! Chiara looked after us all really well, she was always on hand with help and advice, and the studio is bright and cosy. Great as a one-off or as an intro to further study.
  • 5/5 from Lucy, attended Apr 2026: I took part in a taster session where we learned how to throw pots on the wheel, and it was such a great experience. Chiara, our host, was fantastic—her passion for pottery is truly infectious. She was patient, explained techniques clearly, and adapted her teaching to suit each person’s pace, which made it really accessible for beginners. The atmosphere was fun and laid-back, set in a lovely location that made the whole experience even more enjoyable. What I loved most was being able to chat and relax while learning a new skill in a sunny, welcoming studio. I would highly recommend this class and will definitely be back for a full course!
Your teacher

Bottega Ceramica
Bottega Ceramica

5.0 (60)
female Women-owned

Bottega Ceramica is a ceramics studio founded by Chiara Dorbolò, an architect and ceramist trained in Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The studio's mission is to share the transformative experience of working with clay using your hands and the pottery wheel.
Crafting beautiful and functional pieces from clay is a joyful and empowering process. The repetitive, rhythmic motions involved in kneading, centering, and shaping clear the mind and lift the mood by means of mindfulness and sensory grounding. Nestled in a sunny studio space within the Edinburgh Open Workshop, Bottega offers beginners and seasoned potters alike a chance to experience this wonderful process. Whether you are touching clay for the first time or the hundredth, you'll find room to disconnect from the daily hustle and reconnect with your creative self.
The name Bottega is inspired by the traditional Italian workshop where artists and craftsmen trained under a master. Since Renaissance times, 'andare a bottega' has been synonymous with learning through observation and practice—preparing materials, replicating processes, and accumulating practical knowledge. Your instructor, Chiara, is a graduate of the Academy of Architecture in Amsterdam and the Francisco Alcántara School of Ceramics in Madrid. With two years of experience as a pottery teacher and nearly a decade as a design and architecture educator, she brings a rich pedagogical foundation to every class. At Bottega, she provides a thoughtful learning experience rooted in tradition and shaped by contemporary design practices. Through an approach that combines technical skill, material sensitivity, and spatial thinking, she'll help you deepen your understanding of ceramics as a craft and as a design language.
Classes at Bottega follow the atelier model, featuring small group sizes, personalized guidance, attention to technique, and space for experimentation. In particular, we offer:
  • Taster classes, for those eager to dip their fingers into the tactile world of ceramics.
  • Introductory courses, for beginners ready to embark on a comprehensive learning journey.
  • Weekly sessions, ideal to sharpen your skills and explore new creative horizons.
  • Themed workshops, where you are guided to create pieces inspired by seasons, topics, or celebrations.
Join us for an immersive experience tailored to your level of expertise. Dive into handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques and discover the sense of tranquillity that comes from engaging with this timeless craft. You'll leave with more than just pottery: you'll gain patience, inspiration, and a deeper connection to an ancient art form.
class 0 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 1 production edinburgh Edinburgh Scotland GB edinburgh