Individual / Private Training Days at Our Workshop – On Your Date!

Bespoke Beginner Intermediate Advanced

Your Day. Your Project. Your Pace. — On Your Date!

Imagine a full, hands-on creative day designed just for you. Pick the date, pick the project, and let us make it happen.

Step into our workshop and explore an incredible range of materials, tools, and resources, ready for you to dive in — or, if you prefer, bring your own supplies. Either way, we’ll help you create something amazing from start to finish.

Whether you’re trying a craft for the first time or perfecting a favourite skill, we’ll guide you every step of the way. You’ll leave with new skills, a finished project, and a huge sense of accomplishment — plus a big smile!

This isn’t just a workshop.


This is your creative day out, on the date that suits you. Let’s make it unforgettable.

Your Teachers

Scott Mcmillan

Scott McMillan

Scott — Creative Upcycler, Hands-On Maker & Inspiring Workshop Leader

Scott is a teacher and community worker with over 30 years’ experience, driven by a lifelong love of upcycling and turning the unwanted into the unforgettable. What started 8 years ago with friends urging him to share his creations has grown into Scott running lively, weekly workshops that are packed with ideas, energy, and real practical skill.

He teaches a wide range of creative and DIY subjects, including:
• Metalwork & reclaimed-timber projects
• Woodwork & resin techniques
• Shabby chic furniture
• Clock making
• Van-conversion skills.

Scott’s innovative use of recycled materials has caught wider attention too. He’s been featured in craft magazines, radio, and newspapers both for the courses he runs and for designing/ building community classrooms and peaceful “soul spaces” built almost entirely from reclaimed materials.

Full of enthusiasm, know-how, and encouragement, Scott helps people discover just how much they can create with their own hands — and he makes the journey exciting every step of the way.

Sue Mcmillan

Sue Adams

Sue — Master Craft Tutor & Award-Winning Community Designer

With over 30 years of experience as a teacher and community worker, Sue brings a rare mix of deep practical skill, creative vision, and a real passion for helping people discover what they can make.

She specialises in upcycling, crafting, interior design, and nature-based creativity, and she has an incredible ability to turn everyday, recycled materials into something beautiful, useful, and meaningful. Sue’s favourite projects blend natural elements with reclaimed resources, transforming spaces into welcoming, imaginative environments that people genuinely love spending time in.

Her community work speaks for itself. Two of her community-built gardens — each created using over 90% recycled materials — have won national RHS awards in recent years. One of these even went on to win the Gardening for the Disabled Award for England, recognised for its extraordinary use of recycled materials to design and build an interactive garden where people facing difficult times can find calm, connection, and support.

Sue doesn’t just teach craft — she inspires creativity, confidence, and community wherever she goes.

FAQs

What's included

Unless specified we provide all the materials, tools, and guidance you’ll need—just bring your lunch, plenty of enthusiasm, and a willingness to try something new!

All necessary PPE is supplied, but we recommend wearing old clothes suitable for the activities you’ll be doing and appropriate foot wear

Free Tea, coffee, and water are available throughout the day, and there’s a fridge where you can store your packed lunch.

Course times and attendance info

Our full day workshop days opens at 9.15am and courses start at 9:30am and usually finish between 4:00pm and 4:30pm.

short sessions are as described in the specific course description

We’ll have short breaks in the morning and afternoon, with lunch happening sometime between 12:30pm and 2:00pm, depending on the natural pause point in whatever we’re working on.

🚨 Important: Please arrive on time. If you arrive late and have missed the safety briefing, or if arriving would cause a disruption to the session already in progress, we may have to turn you away.

Course Safety

Black Paw takes safety very seriously and we provide all necessary PPE, including gloves, dust masks, and eye protection. On some of our courses, PPE is compulsory; on others, it may be optional depending on the activity. While we do everything we can to create a safe environment, you are ultimately responsible for your own actions and any issues that may arise from them. You are expected to follow all safety instructions throughout the course. We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if they do not follow the safety rules.

Before the course starts, you’ll be asked to sign a consent form confirming that you understand the safety guidelines and that you’re physically fit to take part.

If you have any medical or physical conditions that may affect your ability to take part in the workshop, it is your responsibility to inform us at time of booking your course. This gives us time to discuss any small adjustments and put suitable arrangements in place. Please note that if you only tell us on the day, we may not be able to provide the support or adaptations you need.

Under 18s

..Under 18s can take part if accompanied by a parent or guardian also on the course (one adult with each child), but only with prior agreement.

Photos and images

You’re welcome to take photos during the course, but please check with other students before including them in your pictures. Photos can be a great way to record techniques, ideas, and options—we encourage you to take them so you have a helpful reference when working at home later.

From time to time, Black Paw may also take photos during sessions to share on pages. If you prefer not to be photographed, just let us know at the start of the session and we’ll make sure your wishes are respected.

Cancellation Policy

Black Paw Course Booking Terms & Conditions

We want you to enjoy your course with us, so we’ve kept our booking terms simple and fair.

Booking

Your place on a course is confirmed once full payment has been received and space availability.

Cancellations by You

  • More than 4 weeks before your course: You will receive a full refund.

  • Less than 4 weeks before your course: Unfortunately, we cannot offer a refund as your place has been reserved and course materials may already have been purchased.

Changing Your Course Date

If you can’t attend, we’ll always do our best to help.

  • Up to 2 weeks before your course, we may be able to transfer your booking to another date at our discretion, provided we are able to fill your original place.

  • Requests made less than 2 weeks before the course will normally be treated as a cancellation and are not refundable or transferable.

Exceptional Circumstances

We understand that unexpected situations can arise. In genuine exceptional circumstances, Black Paw reserves the right to offer an alternative course date at our discretion, even if the above conditions cannot be met. This is not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If We Need to Cancel

Very occasionally we may need to cancel or rearrange a course due to illness, low booking numbers or circumstances beyond our control. If this happens, you can choose either:

  • A full refund, or

  • A transfer to another available course date.

Gift Vouchers   Black Paw gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and must be redeemed before their expiry date. Courses booked using a valid voucher may take place after the expiry date, provided the booking was made before the voucher expires.

Contact Us   If you need to cancel or change your booking, please let us know as soon as possible. The earlier you contact us, the more likely we can help.

Reviews

“This was an excellent course! Everything I expected and more. Scott took the time to explain everything and was very supportive with all questions, he had lots of helpful hints and signposted me to helpful places to buy materials. Based in such an idyllic area sue and Scott were very friendly and helpful with the best home made cake! Will definitely be going back for another course. Thank you 😊”

- Maria

I had a really lovely day with a couple of others in Scott’s workshop. It was fun and friendly and Scott is very knowledgeable, skilled and great at sharing his knowledge with others. I made a small set of shelves which I’m very proud of and learnt a lot about the use of tools, including how to use them safely. I’d love to go back and learn more.

- Heather

Myself and my husband attended the beginners resin course it was brilliant Scott was very informative we learnt loads. He made us feel at ease straight away would highly recommend thanks to his wife for the cake much appreciated

- Michael

The course gave me the skills that I needed to complete my Campervan conversion project. Thanks very much Scott. It was amazing..!

- Andrew