Our main aim is to provide or assist in providing local facilities and resources designed to support lifelong learning and skills development.
We run a range of exciting and educational courses, events and workshops on a huge variety of subjects throughout Sutherland. Below we have listed some examples of the varied events we have run in the past and you can browse though all our forthcoming events at our Events section.
Arts & Crafts
Patchwork
Patchwork and quilting sessions cater for all abilities, from novice to experienced, and will include using a variety of techniques, colours and patterns to make beautiful keepsakes such as artwork, quilts, cushion covers, etc.
Sewing
Provide with the essential sewing skills, from learning the basic functions of the Sewing machine to creating home furnishings, crafts and clothes.
Cake decorating
Catering from novices through to experts our classes cover beginners techniques through to skills needed for wedding cakes. We also run Saturday workshops for children aged 8 plus.
Art
From charcoal drawing to folk art painting, we offer a range of sessions that can cater for budding artists of all capabilities. Sessions include using traditional mediums such as paper, canvas and material, through to glass, wood and upcycling furniture.
Knitting, crochet, rag-rugging, plarn and tarn
Start with the basics and progress into making soft toys, bags, blankets, rugs and more.
Upholstery
Learn how to transform an old piece of furniture into something you will be proud to use again. Classes and one-day workshops are sufficient to complete a simple project, such as a footstool.
Papercrafts
Suitable for all ages and abilities, covering simple to advanced skills, you will make seasonal, birthday and anniversary cards in a wide range of styles, and innovative gift boxes to hold a range of presents.
Making household furnishings
We offer a wide range of household furnishings, which alter seasonally, so please check the latest prospectus. Recent examples include making lampshades, draught excluders, shoe holders, oak stave clocks, door stops, decorative wreaths, mosaic mirrors and keepsakes, mug holders, decorative plant holders and wooden keepsakes.
Woodworking
These sessions cover hands-on practical sessions, suitable for ages 16+, which cover basic to intermediate skills. Classes change seasonally and include garden planters, bird boxes and tables, bug hotels, tables, clocks, pirate chests, coat-hooks and decorative pieces.
Flower arranging
Sessions include seasonal arrangements, corsages, bouquets such as hand-tied, table centres and floral art arrangements.
Upcycling
Featuring an innovative range of upcycling sessions using a wide range of materials including glass (e.g. decoupage candle holders), textiles (e.g. handbags), furniture (e.g. shabby chic), wood (e.g. shoe store), paper (e.g. book planter), plastics (e.g. decorative boxes), ceramics (e.g. mosaics) and much more. Check out the CCF classes in our prospectus.
Special Projects
Women’s employability
Covering a wide range of employability skills such as team-building, raising self confidence, CV writing, managing a family and career, IT skills and much more.
Reading Between the Lines
World War 1 project which encompassed drama photography, film making, scriptwritng, poetry writing which culminated in a photographic exhibition and completed short film and a staged drama.
HALP (Patterns)
Creation of a community calendar where students took photos and poems and used IT to create a calendar featuring patterns and textures around Lairg.
Sutherland Secrets
A project run in conjunction with Brora Learning Centre and included the heritage and history of Sutherland and the research was published in a small book.
Lives of Highland women
This Project explored how women’s life in Sutherland had changed over the last 100 years and a short film was produced.
Clay workshop – Garden feature
A community project which was taught by a well-known clay sculptor, producing a solar-powered unique artwork fountain in the Learning Centre’s garden.
Outdoor Hobbies
Fruit and Vegetable growing
Grow-you-own food and cut down on pesticides, air miles and cost! Sessions include growing in polytunnels and outdoors, growing specialist crops and food, such as herbs or fruit, pruning fruit trees, rotation planting, no dig, and much more.
Garden design
Design your garden from scratch, incorporating your own personal tastes into the finished design. It incorporates what can grow in north Scotland, how to deal with pests and diseases, hard and soft landscaping, and so much more.
Garden habitats
Learn how to make your garden healthier by attracting in the right sorts of wildlife and helping them to thrive, in addition to learning about garden maintenance, planning and planting, etc
Composting
Make your own compost and learn the tricks so that it’s a good quality mix which is beneficial to your garden whilst saving you money.
Beekeeping
First learn about bees, the theory of keeping them and the dos and donts of novice beekeepers. This is followed by a session at a local bee hive, where you will experience beekeeping first hand and hear from local enthusiasts about beekeeping in Sutherland.
Photography
Learn how to use your camera properly and learn about picture composition and what makes an attractive photo. This will include field trips to use your camera and practice the theory learnt in the classroom.
Literature
Book club
Designed for beginners and ESOL learners in a relaxed informal environment.
Creative writing
Learn the basics and to be inspired on how to write your own novel.
Scottish literature
Read about Scottish literature such as Gothic and North Atlantic Rim.
Poetry café
Learn through a variety of materials to inspire students to create their very own short stories and poems.
Languages
Spanish
Covering all levels from beginners to advanced.
French
Covering all levels from beginners to advanced.
Gaelic
Covering all levels from beginners to advanced.
German
Covering all levels from beginners to advanced.
Italian
Covering all levels from beginners to advanced.
English as a second language
Covering all levels from beginners to advanced.
Heritage
Gaelic legacy
Learning the historical background of the Celtic people And the main linguistic differences between them.
Norse legacy
Learn the literature and language of old Norse and Iceland.
Archaeology
Study local history across the North West Highlands and go on a local field trip to visit a cemetery, brochs and local stones.
Family History
Sessions run are tailored to beginners or intermediate level students, and you will guided in how to research your own family tree and find out about your family history, uncovering heritage as you explore the past.
IT
IT for beginners
Basic functions on how to work your way around the computer and internet use.
Kindle/Ipad
Learn how to browse the web and how to download apps and e-books.
IT skills: Word
From creating you very first Word document to some of the more complex and advanced techniques.
IT skills: Excel
Covering all levels from creating formulas and spreadsheets to advanced functions such as pivot tables and data management.
IT skills: business basics
Learning how to use the internet to sell your business and managing your bookkeeping skills.
Internet buying and selling
Sell your unwanted items online via ebay and buy/swap/sell sites. You will learn how to market products, photography and upload information, so that you can maximise sales.
Skype and visual messaging
Stay in touch with family and friends for free using Skype and other messaging platforms. You will be shown how to make video and voice calls between computers, rather than using landlines.
A wide range of business applications are covered in our business section below, such as setting up websites, using social media, Excel for bookkeeping, etc.
Young People
Children workshops
Fun and exciting workshops for kids which have previously included Stone Age and Christmas Crafts and Face Painting and crafts for Easter, Mother’s Day, Valentines Day
Cookery
Cooking from fresh ingredients
We offer a wide range of classes from an expert Head Chef and experienced cooks. This include homemade replacements for takeaway food, such as Chinese recipes, catering for popular food intolerances, such as gluten-free meals, and using local food to produce tasty seasonal dishes. They also incorporate niche sessions, such as cooking for one, mums and toddler sessions, making breads, and much more.
Preserves and chutneys
Transform food gluts into tasty jams and chutneys, from traditional to modern recipes.
Business & Employability Classes
I.T. refreshers – Word/ Excel / Powerpoint / Outlook
Update your knowledge of Microsoft Office 2016 by writing letter, emails, controlling finances or presentations.
Professional CV Writing
Make your CV stand out by looking at different styles available. Look at CVs through an employers’ eyes and make yours work better for you.
Improve your Interview Technique
Are you terrified of interviews, or has it been a while since you’ve been to one? Come along and brush up your technique, to get that job!
Build your Confidence in the workplace
Nervous about joining the workforce? Worried about what to wear, say or do? This workshop will build your confidence so you get that job.
How to Work in a Team
Working together can be tricky. This fun informative session will teach you some of the basics of team working and touch on how to deal with difficult situations.
How to Manage Staff
Would you like a job in management? This workshop will cover different styles of management and you will analyse your strengths and weaknesses, letting you know which is the best way for you to manage a team.
Business Start Up – the Basics
If you’re wondering how to start a business then this training is for you. We will look at the basics of starting you own business including:- Start-up options, Finance for start-ups, Market ResearchTax and legal issues for start-ups, Business planning for start-ups, Finding and keeping customers.
Financial Planning and Cashflows
The reason many small businesses fail is not their success or profitability, it’s running out of money. Learn how to prepare a profit statement in Excel and then calculate the cashflow, so that you can identify any issues before they arise.
Developing Your Marketing Strategy
Learn about developing your marketing strategy. We will help you create a realistic marketing plan. It is designed to improve how you market your business and increase sales.
Writing A Business Plan
Create a robust business plan,by creating a description for your business, the business planning process and presenting your business plan.
Bookkeeping in Excel
Keeping a close eye on your finances is vital for your business. Our course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage your finances and comply with regulatory and legal requirements through a relevant bookkeeping system. This course will include invoicing, sales and purchase ledgers, cashbooks, and more.
Using Social Media for Your Business
Exploring the main social media platforms and the opportunities they can offer to your business, this workshop is suited to those just starting or need a refresher to get back on top of things.
Year End Accounts
The course is designed for people who understand basic bookkeeping but would like to take this onto the next stage. You will learn how to prepare accounts at the year end and can be used for completing self-assessment, or handing over to an accountant. Covering basic reconciliations, fixed asset depreciation/ tax allowances, accruals and prepayments, and producing a P&L and balance sheet.