Carpentry was among the DIY skills WI members were keen to learn
A Women's Institute survey has found women would prefer to learn a foreign language, DIY or martial arts than a traditional pursuit such as baking.
Scottish WI sought the views of 1,000 women ahead of its national conference in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Asked what 20 skills they would like to learn, the survey's respondents put languages, a musical instrument, arts, DIY and sports in the top five.
Sewing came sixth and baking was at number 17.
SWI, which is seeking to boost its membership following years of decline, said the results suggested six times more of the women, whose ages ranged from 18 to 95, wanted to learn DIY than baking.
The DIY included building, carpentry, carpet fitting, wallpapering and plastering.
Baking skills came in at number 17
Diving, golf, martial arts, surfing and snowboarding were the sports mentioned.
A small number of respondents listed other pursuits including free running, survival skills and contortion. One woman said she would like to learn the skills to become a witch.
The survey also examined proficiency in traditional SWI talents.
The results suggested 100% of women surveyed in the Highlands were able to bake a cake, and 100% of Orkney members have dressmaking skills.
The two areas also came out top for proficiency in use of technology and social media.
'In peril'
SWI commissioned the survey as part of a rebranding project which has seen the organisation drop the word "rural" from its name and change its logo after its membership has dropped from about 50,000 in 1980 to 17,700 in 2014.
It has also piloted holding meetings in coffee shops and pubs.
Chairwoman Christine Hutton said: "There is no doubt that we are an organisation which is in peril.
"This survey shows two key things for our organisation.
"Firstly, that institutes across Scotland are already delivering what many women want - but not everyone is aware of the scope of our activities.
"Women who join us can learn to cook, bake, sew and artistic skills as well as joining our choirs, poetry competitions, drama groups, gardening activities and photography classes.
"But more importantly, as we approach our centenary, we need to be offering skills and activities relevant to what today's women want and this independent survey gives us the evidence to show that we need to explore foreign languages, musical instruments, practical DIY and car maintenance, IT skills and professional skills such as leadership and presentation skills."
