The Scottish Maritime Museum on Irvine Harbourside has announced two more dates for the popular Solitude at Sea ‘Make and Take’Crafting Sessions – Saturday 14 May and Saturday 4 June.

Up the three children visit the Museum for FREE with each adult admission and the sessions, which are suitable for five years of age upwards, are drop in between 11am – 3pm.

The ‘Make and Take’ sessions are part of the events programme for the Museum’s Spring exhibition Solitude at Sea. 

After taking in the Solitude at Sea exhibition, which explores isolation and connection, from the past up to the Covid-19 pandemic and how creativity has been so significant through periods of separation, visitors can fire their own imagination.

Everyone can enjoy making their very own ‘Message in a Bottle’ on Saturday 14 May and a ‘Solitude and Me’ Zine on Saturday 4 June.

The Scottish Maritime Museum is also midway through a series of Solitude at Sea: Sunday Sketching Sessions in collaboration with Impact Arts.

The next artist-led Sunday Sketching sessions, which suit beginners through to more experienced sketchers and painters, will run between 11am – 1.30pm on Sunday 22 May and Sunday 5 June.

The sessions with artist Rene Johansen cover different techniques and areas of the Museum’s maritime heritage and art collections.

After exploring the exhibition themes of solitude and mindfulness in the creative process, Rene, who was born in South Africa and now lives in West Kilbride, shares helpful drawing techniques.

On 22 May, participants will sketch some of Scotland’s most historic vessels.

On 5 June, they will capture objects from the Museum Store.

Participants can also add their sketches to a new Solitude at Sea Mural Wall which will be on display until the exhibition closes on 5 June.

The Solitude at Sea: Sunday Sketching Sessions are priced £4 each with all materials included and suit participants of 16 years and up. Booking is highly recommended.