The Salmon Fish Skin Tanning Weekend offers a rare and fascinating opportunity to work with one of the most remarkable natural materials available. Under the guidance of highly experienced instructors, participants explore the transformation of raw salmon skins into a strong, supple, and highly durable leather, prized historically for both its beauty and performance.
Often overlooked, fish skin leather has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures across northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Its unique fibre structure creates a material that is exceptionally tear-resistant while remaining flexible and lightweight. Over the course of the weekend, participants gain hands-on experience of the complete tanning process, developing both practical skill and a deeper appreciation for traditional material knowledge.
Each participant works with two salmon skins, allowing techniques to be practised and refined while producing finished leather suitable for future craft projects.
13:00 Friday - 12:00 Sunday
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The Salmon Fish Skin Tanning Weekend offers a rare and fascinating opportunity to work with one of the most remarkable natural materials available. Under the guidance of highly experienced instructors, participants explore the transformation of raw salmon skins into a strong, supple, and highly durable leather, prized historically for both its beauty and performance.
Often overlooked, fish skin leather has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures across northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Its unique fibre structure creates a material that is exceptionally tear-resistant while remaining flexible and lightweight. Over the course of the weekend, participants gain hands-on experience of the complete tanning process, developing both practical skill and a deeper appreciation for traditional material knowledge.
Each participant works with two salmon skins, allowing techniques to be practised and refined while producing finished leather suitable for future craft projects.
Salmon Fish Skin Tanning Weekend
Salmon Fish Skin Tanning Weekend
Salmon Fish Skin Tanning Weekend
Salmon Fish Skin Tanning Weekend
Salmon Fish Skin Tanning Weekend
Salmon Fish Skin Tanning Weekend
Hands-On Craft: From Skin to Leather
From the outset, the weekend is highly practical. Participants begin by learning how to properly flesh and descale the skins, removing residual tissue and preparing the surface for tanning. Instruction includes both modern and traditional scraping techniques, offering insight into how these processes have been carried out across cultures and time periods.
The course then moves into degreasing, a critical stage when working with fish skins. Participants learn how oils affect the tanning process, how to remove them effectively, and how to assess when the skin is ready to progress.
Throughout each stage, instructors explain not only how the techniques are performed, but why they matter—helping participants develop the confidence to repeat the process independently after the course.
Tanning, Softening, and Smoking
Participants are introduced to two distinct tanning methods over the weekend: oil tanning and vegetable tanning. Working with plant- and bark-based solutions prepared during the course, participants gain insight into how different tanning agents interact with the collagen structure of the skin, influencing strength, colour, and feel.
A range of softening techniques is explored, teaching participants how to work the skins to achieve flexibility and durability. This stage rewards patience and sensitivity, as subtle changes in texture signal progress.
The process concludes with traditional smoking, which completes the tanning process, improves water resistance, and enhances longevity. Participants learn how to control smoke quality and temperature, and how to recognise when the skins have been properly finished.
Inspiration and Future Use
Once completed, the finished salmon leather is remarkably versatile. Instructors share examples of how fish leather can be used in clothing, footwear, pouches, bags, decorative panels, and fine craft items, offering inspiration for future projects.
Participants are encouraged to ask questions and draw on instructors’ first-hand experience, gaining practical tips and creative ideas for turning their finished skins into meaningful and long-lasting items.
In Summary
The Salmon Fish Skin Tanning Weekend is a unique and rewarding immersion into traditional tanning and material craft. Participants leave with beautifully finished salmon leather, a thorough understanding of multiple tanning processes, and the confidence to continue working with fish skins independently.
This course is ideal for those drawn to heritage craft, sustainable material use, and the quiet satisfaction of transforming natural resources into something both functional and enduring.
