Arrive at Edinburgh Airport and meet your friendly driver who will whisk you away to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the charming streets of Edinburgh, shop for unique treasures, or simply unwind after your flight. In the evening, gather in the hotel lobby to meet your enthusiastic tour guide and fellow adventurers before kicking off the trip with a delightful welcome dinner.
**Please note, rooms will be ready for check-in starting at 3:00 pm. If you’d like to check in earlier, you can request early access (subject to availability) or book an extra night for guaranteed early arrival (see pricing details at the end of the itinerary).
Day 2: Edinburgh fun, Dovecot Studio and the Scottish Textiles Showcase
Start your day with a delicious breakfast before heading to Dovecot Studio, a vibrant hub for contemporary art, craft, and design, known for its stunning handwoven tapestries and rugs. After a tasty lunch (included), we'll take a quick trip to the Scottish Textiles Showcase, where you can explore incredible pieces that celebrate Scottish heritage and craftsmanship. The evening is yours to enjoy—why not try a local bar or restaurant for a fantastic dinner and some lively conversation?
Overnight Edinburgh - breakfast and lunch included.
Day 3: Delightful Dundee and overnight Ferry to Shetland!
Today, we say goodbye to Edinburgh and set off for an exciting adventure to Shetland! Our first stop is in Dundee, where we’ll visit the stunning V&A Dundee, Scotland's first design museum, perfectly situated by the waterfront. Here, you’ll explore captivating exhibits that showcase design from the past, present, and future. After a delicious lunch (included), we continue our journey to Aberdeen, where we'll pop into Wool for Ewe, the award-winning wool store run by a passionate mother-daughter duo—perfect for stocking up on all things cozy and creative!
In the evening, we board our comfortable overnight ferry to Shetland. Get ready for a relaxing journey with cabin accommodations, a bar, lounge, restaurant, and a gift shop to explore. Wake up to a hearty breakfast on board before we set foot on Shetland!
Overnight Northlink Ferries -breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
After we disembark the ferry at Lerwick, we’ll drop our bags at the nearby hotel and jump straight into exploring this incredible island. Our adventure begins on the Northern side of the island at Shetlands Rural Experience, where you’ll be treated to a charming sheepdog demonstration. Watch as David and Isla showcase the amazing skills of their dogs in action! Before lunch (included), you’ll get to meet the adorable Shetland sheep and the world-famous Shetland ponies. Discover the fascinating history of these iconic ponies and learn why Shetland sheep wool has been so important to island life for generations.
The rest of the day is yours to explore the charming town of Lerwick. Wander through the streets, shop for beautiful local yarns at Jamieson's of Shetland and Midwinter Yarns, and soak up the unique atmosphere. Later, unwind at your hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner, reminiscing about your fun day!
Overnight Lerwick - Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 5: Fairisle Knitting, Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head
Today we kick off with a half-day workshop with Linda Shearer of Hamari Design, a Fair Isle knitting expert and former patron of Shetland Wool Week! She’ll guide you in knitting your very own Fair Isle headband, just like a true Shetlander. After class and a tasty lunch (included), we'll head to the southern tip of the island to visit Jarlshof, a breathtaking prehistoric archaeological site. Here, you’ll find everything from Bronze Age houses and an Iron Age broch to Norse longhouses, a medieval farmstead, and a laird’s house from the 1500s!
Continuing around Sumburgh Head, take some time to explore the nature reserve, where you’ll encounter incredible wildlife, lush flora, and unique fauna. Keep your eyes peeled—you might even spot some adorable puffins! This evening, unwind back at the hotel with a cosy Knitting Circle, hosted by Janette Budge or one of our other talented instructors!
Overnight Lerwick: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 6: Knitting Belt Workshop with Janette Budge, Silly Sheep Fibre Company and Shetland Jewellery
This morning, dive into the world of Shetland knitting with a class featuring the iconic Shetland Knitting Belt! You'll receive your own set of special needles and a handmade leather belt, crafted right here on the island. Janette Budge will guide you through the techniques of using a knitting belt, an essential tool passed down through generations of Shetland knitters. She'll show you how to add a raepin string and share different ways to hold yarns while knitting Fair Isle.
After a delicious lunch (included), we’ll visit the Silly Sheep Fibre Company, where you'll see how they create gorgeous fibers and knitting yarns from their own flock and those of neighboring farms. Then, it's off to the nearby Shetland Jewellery studio to marvel at stunning pieces inspired by Shetland, Nordic, and Celtic designs—all crafted by hand, with a breathtaking view! Finally, return to the hotel to relax and enjoy a delightful dinner.
Overnight Lerwick - Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 7: Shetland Lace with Elizabeth Johnston, Nielanell Studio and Shetland Textile Museum
After breakfast, get ready to meet the talented Elizabeth Johnston for an inspiring class on Shetland Lace. She’ll guide you through the skills needed to create your own Shetland-inspired lace designs.
Next, we head to Nielanell Studio, where you’ll meet textile designer Niela Kalra and explore her collection of contemporary knitwear, homeware, and accessories. After enjoying a tasty lunch (included), we’ll take a short trip to the Shetland Textile Museum. This community-run gem is the only museum dedicated entirely to the rich heritage of Shetland textiles and knitting, showcasing everything from historic pieces to modern creations that celebrate Shetland’s incredible craftsmanship.
Overnight Lerwick - Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 8: Burra Bears, Shetland Museum and Archives and Ferry to Aberdeen
This morning, after checking out, we head to the scenic beauty of Burra in Shetland. Our first stop is to see Wendy at Burra Bears, where she creates adorable, handmade teddy bears from old Fair Isle sweaters and leftover panels from local knitwear factories. Then, it’s back to Lerwick for an insightful tour and textile talk at the Shetland Museum and Archives. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore!
Grab a bite to eat (lunch not included) and browse some of Lerwick’s charming shops, like the Peerie Shop or the Shetland Times Bookshop. Later this evening, we'll board our cosy overnight ferry for a relaxing journey back to Aberdeen.
Overnight Northlink Ferries - Breakfast and dinner included
Day 9: Scone Palace and Discover the Secrets of the Kilt!
Enjoy breakfast on the ferry before disembarking at Aberdeen. Our first stop of the day will be Black Isle Yarns to shop for the best hand-selected local farm yarn. We continue on towards Perth to Scone Palace, iconic crowning place of Scottish Kings and the original home of the Stone of Destiny. You can wander down the Long Galley where King Charles II strode to his coronation in 1661. During the Jacobite rebellions, the ‘Old Pretender’ spent three weeks at Scone while his son, Bonnie Prince Charlie, visited in 1745. Admire the needlework skills of Mary Queen of Scots bedhangings that she worked on while in prison on Loch Leven.
Our final stop before returning to Edinburgh, is the iconic Askival of Strathearn to discover how kilts are made! Experience traditional tailored kilt making and learn the history of the kilt and Highland attire, the tartans and the construction of the kilt. Find out the difference between good and bad kilts, how to tell a well-made tailored kilt and how it should fit! Continue to Edinburgh where there is time to relax or explore before dinner.
Overnight Edinburgh - Breakfast and dinner included
Day 10: New Lanark Mill, Scotch Whisky Experience and Amber Restaurant Farewell Dinner
This morning enjoy a delightful trip to New Lanark Mill. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a unique 18th century cotton mill village on the banks of the River Clyde. Immerse yourself into a guided tour of the village, including a visit to see the 'Mule' at work. All of the yarn produced at New Lanark is spun to the highest quality on this magnificent 19th century machinery, which is powered by renewable energy generated on site by the River Clyde powered turbine. Explore the cottages and workspaces on site, replicating the time period and don't forget to spend time in the fabulous New Lanark store!
We return to Edinburgh for a visit to Ginger Twist Studio and a chat with the owner Jessica James-Thomson. Jess will show you how she dyes her amazing yarns and then have a chance to shop in her fun store! This afternoon enjoy free time to sightsee, shop or just relax and knit! We all get together for the Scotch Whisky Experience and a wee dram, before a Farewell Dinner in the Amber Restaurant, in the shadow of regal Edinburgh Castle.
Overnight Edinburgh - Breakfast and dinner included
