Categories > Guides and Tips
Kiln It in Edinburgh: 10 Top Pottery Studios to Check Out!
Ever since I can remember, my dear Gran signed me up for all sorts of classes over the summer holidays, from swimming to pottery. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve kept this tradition alive, always seeking new ways to de-stress and learn.
My latest obsession is pottery! It’s incredibly therapeutic and lets me transform lumps of clay into beautiful, functional pieces.
If you’re ready to get your hands dirty and get crafty, keep reading to discover the best pottery classes in Edinburgh!
The Edinburgh Pottery Studio
Media Credit: edinburgh_pottery_studio
Website: https://www.edinburghpotterystudio.co.uk/
Address: 9, Peffer Business Centre, N Peffer Pl
Contact Information: +44 131 661 6079 / [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday & Wednesday: 10:30AM-9PM
- Tuesday: 12-9PM
- Friday & Saturday: 12-8PM
Cost:
- Private lessons begin at £85
- Wheel throwing lessons begin at £180
- Hand building lessons begin at £180
- One day saturday pottery taster begins at £160
- Pay as you go begins at £31
With zero previous experience, I’d suggest one of the best places to start would be at The Edinburgh Pottery Studio. Owner and instructor, Yvette, is incredibly hands on, offering support and patience all throughout the session.
Because of such a relaxed and encouraging environment, it makes the entire process seem easier than it really is. Hence, you’d be surprised at how lovely your pottery will turn out in just 2 hours!
The studio offers a variety of classes, from beginner’s wheel throwing to private lessons for parents and children, so just about anyone can join in on the fun!
Pro Tip:
If you’re hesitant to commit to a full class, you can book their EPS Studio Time. This pay-as-you-go option lets you get your hands (and clay) spinning for three hours at an affordable price of just £31.
Mud Station Pottery Studio
Media Credit: mudstation
Website: https://mudstation.co.uk/
Address: 16 Montrose Terrace
Contact Information: +44 7923 853033 / [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10AM-5PM
- Saturday: 11AM-3PM
- Sunday: Varies
Cost:
- The Beginner’s Course costs £250
- Studio classes begin at £200
- One-off wheel throwing workshops from £150
Nestled in Edinburgh and founded by self-taught potter Sylwia Kolasinska in 2012, Mud Station Pottery Studio serves as a workshop, community hub, and resource center rolled into one.
For beginners, their £250 Beginner’s Course spans 6 sessions, each about 2.5 hours long, covering everything from pinching to glazing.
Seasoned potters can opt for their Studio Classes starting at £200, offering options in wheel throwing, handbuilding, or a blend of both.
Pro Tip:
If you’re looking to elevate your pottery skills, Mud Station also provides consultancy services. Here, you can receive guidance on ceramic art, throwing larger forms, and mastering glaze chemistry. Prices for these services are available upon request.
Edinburgh Ceramics Workshop
Media Credit: edinburghceramicsworkshop
Website: https://www.edinburghceramicsworkshop.co.uk/
Address: 2 Easter Rd
Contact Information: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Daily: 8AM-9PM
Cost:
- Beginner’s and intermediate classes from £130
- Certificate classes from £395
- Memberships begin at £120
Nestled within a charming old Victorian primary school setting, the Edinburgh Ceramics Workshop is an inspiring open studio dedicated to the art of pottery.
In collaboration with the Edinburgh Design School, an accredited teaching center approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, the studio offers a diverse range of pottery courses, classes, and workshops.
What we love about this studio is its diverse range of enrollment options: memberships for those serious about professional ceramics, residencies lasting 3 to 6 months, and classes tailored for beginners, intermediates, and masterclasses.
Pro Tip:
Membership and residency applications fill up quickly, so make sure to check in periodically for open opportunities.
Doodles Ceramics
Website: https://www.doodlesscotland.co.uk/
Address: 27-29 Marchmont Cres
Contact Information: +44 131 229 1399 / [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 10:30AM-9PM
- Friday to Monday: 10AM-6PM
Cost:
- Ceramic painting from £7.50
- Clay imprint from £30
- Clay sessions: Varies
Doodles Ceramics, cherished for over 20 years, welcomes professional ceramicists and newcomers alike seven days a week, inviting them to explore their creativity at the pottery wheel.
One standout feature of this studio is their clay imprint services, popular for capturing precious moments with babies, children, and pets. Prices start at £30, ensuring a cherished keepsake.
Visitors who prefer not to get their hands dirty can opt for Ceramic Painting which are pre-made, unglazed pottery items to paint. These include mugs, dinner plates, coasters, and piggy banks, among others starting at £7.50.
Pro Tip:
The studio also provides take-home kits featuring a selection of pottery items and colors for you to paint at your convenience—whether at home or anywhere else. After painting, simply return your piece to the studio for firing, and pick it up a week later.
James Chincharo Ceramics
Media Credit: jameschincharoceramics
Website: https://www.jameschincharo.co.uk/
Address: 151 London Rd
Contact Information: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9AM-8PM
- Saturday: 9AM-6PM
Cost:
- Wheel throwing taster session for £60
- Double wheel throwing taster session for £120
- Beginner’s wheel throwing and glazing course for £210
- Intermediate wheel throwing and glazing course for £210
Having earned a Bachelor’s degree from Norwich School of Art and Design and a Master’s in Ceramics and Glass from the National Glass Centre, James Chincharo has been sharing his expertise at both local and international studios.
Learning from an artist with such a distinguished background is invaluable if you’re aiming to enhance your technique and elevate your skills.
You can choose between two classes: a 2-hour taster session or a 6-week course, with each session lasting about 2 hours.
Pro Tip:
To ensure each student receives ample attention and guidance, classes are limited to just 3 students at a time. Be sure to check in periodically to secure your spot as one of the first to register.
John Burgess Ceramics
Media Credit: john_burgess_ceramics
Website: https://www.johnburgessceramics.com/
Address: 48 Home St
Contact Information: 07342 964486 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday: 12-6PM
Cost:
- 4-week courses at £200
- Single-day workshops at £70
If you can spare just a day for pottery-making, we highly recommend John Burgess Ceramics’ single-day workshop. In just 3 to 4 hours, you’ll receive a brief introduction before diving straight into wheel throwing.
John’s class is ideal for beginners eager to try their hand at wheel throwing. You can create virtually anything and as many pieces as time allows.
Alternatively, you can join their 4-week courses held each month. However, it’s important to note that slots fill up quickly (they’re already fully booked until November!), so be sure to check in often for any open slots.
Pro Tip:
If you can’t secure a spot in John’s classes, consider their open studio option. Here, potters can bring their own clay, glazes, tools, and equipment or purchase materials from the studio, including kiln space for firing their work.
Cyan Clayworks
Media Credit: cyanclayworks
Website: https://cyanclayworks.co/cyanclayworks/
Address: 5 Commercial St, Leith
Contact Information: +44 7899 892648
Operating Hours: Friday: 11AM-4PM
Cost:
- Taster courses from £58
- 1-day workshops from £95
- 6-week courses from £270
Whether you’re available in the evenings or only on certain days, Cyan Clayworks has you covered. They offer short taster classes, daytime and evening courses spanning several weeks, and 1-day workshops.
If you’re looking to go beyond the usual wheel throwing and handbuilding, the studio also offers techniques like monoprinting and surface experimentation. This allows you to explore different methods and master your craft.
Additionally, Cyan Clayworks offers one-on-one, hands-on sessions starting at £70. These sessions are perfect for potters seeking to delve deeper into specific aspects of ceramics or those looking to set up their own studio or practice.
Pro Tip:
Book your slot early via EventBrite to secure your spot!
The Potter of Leith
Media Credit: thepotterofleith
Website: https://thepotterofleith.co.uk/
Address: 4a Marine Esplanade, Seafield Rd
Contact Information: +44 7505 113836 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 2-6PM
Cost:
- Individual 1-2-1 Session is £45 per hour
- 2-Hour Taster Session is £90 per person
- 3-Hour Taster Session is £135 per person
- 9-Week Wheel Courses is £405
Andy Lang, also known as The Potter of Leith, offers a variety of pottery experiences, including 9 and 10-week courses, weekend workshops, group sessions, and one-on-one lessons.
What makes his studio unlike the others is his strong commitment to making pottery accessible to everyone. He provides free and donation-based access to those living with poor mental health, dementia, social exclusion, and isolation.
To ensure personalized attention, Lang limits his classes to just six students, creating an intimate and nurturing environment where every budding artist, regardless of their experience, can flourish.
Pro Tip:
If you’re unsure of joining Lang’s classes, we highly suggest enrolling in his Taster Session to get a feel for the class first.
Potter Around
Media Credit: potter_around
Website: https://www.potteraround.co.uk/
Address: Potter Around Overton Farm, Kirknewton EH27 8DD
Contact Information: +44 1506 238961 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10AM-5PM; Sunday: 11AM-4PM
Cost:
- Wheel Sessions for Adults at £25
- Wheel Sessions for Children at £20
Located on the outskirts of Edinburgh in rural Kirknewton, Potter Around is a charming, family-run studio offering a range of activities from clay throwing to painting, suitable for all ages.
In addition to pottery wheels, Potter Around provides a diverse array of classes including ceramics painting and clay handbuilding.
Families will find Potter Around especially delightful during the summer holidays, as there are activities available every day, from exploring watercolor techniques to getting creative with slime.
Pro Tip:
If you can’t get enough of Potter Around, they also sell take-home pottery box kits complete with a special underglaze paint and brushes to decorate your choice of ceramics. Then, you can bring them back to the studio to be fired.
Stockbridge Ceramics
Media Credit: stockbridgeceramics
Website: https://www.stockbridgeceramics.com/
Address: 76 Henderson Row
Contact Information: +44 7769 580877 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 11AM-5PM
Cost: Varies
With a rich history dating back more than 40 years ago, the Stockbridge Ceramics is both an art gallery and pottery workshop. Combined into one artsy haven, the studio is nestled in the basement of a 19th century tenement in New Town.
The studio was originally called Adam Pottery after Janet Adam who established her studio here long ago. Today, it’s run by Andrea Scholes and Geoff Calder, both graduates in Contemporary Ceramics Practice.
Stockbridge Ceramics offers lessons for interested makers at varying levels. They’re also given a chance to work with several local artisans to learn about different techniques and styles.
Pro Tip:
Visitors can join their much coveted pottery classes by booking via their website. However, they’re often full, so be sure to visit their page often to stay updated on open slots.
