Hey Geoff, how are you and welcome to the site. Easiest way to stain is use a product called Angelus Leather Dye. It applies easily and they have a massive amount of colours I've used the red yellow and orange. And you can mix the colours easily. I know Angelus is available in UK as my buddy Jamie uses it. Just make sure you get the leather dye. The red and yellow is amazing.Then when you are ready you can use either acrylic spray in either gloss or satin. If your not into spraying use Crimson Guitars guitar finish supposed to be a clone of true oil in bigger bottle cheaper. Supposedly had two chemists to work on the formula and improved on it. There's enoughin one bottle to do one guitar gloss or two guitars satin. Make sure you wear gloves using the Angelus not because it's incredibly toxic. It just loves to attach to your skin and likes to stay there. The beauty of the Angelus dyes is they blend beautifully. Have fun enjoy your guitar.
Best Wishes
Kimball
Guitar Finish for UK builders
https://crimsonguitars.com/shop/luth...nishing%20-oil
Angelus Dyes for UK Builders
http://www.streetlab.co.uk/products/...eather-dye-3oz
P.s just use the leather dyes not suede and leather versions Geoff
Loads of other places do the Angelus Leather Dyes even flea bay as DB calls eBay.co.uk
Here's a look at the colour chart and will give you an idea of colours only check out the red then the picture of the actual red I used. The other pics are yellow and orange mixed final pic no gloss finish was red orange and yellow.