Arrive at Edinburgh Airport and make your own way in to your city centre hotel. Today is free to explore or relax after your long-haul flight. This evening, meet the rest of your group and experience a pre-dinner talk with Lucy Hague, a well-known pattern designer and author, who will discuss her design inspiration and processes along with conducting a book signing. Afterwards, enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Overnight Edinburgh City Centre Hotel, Edinburgh, (Dinner included)
After breakfast, board your coach and journey west towards the city of Stirling to visit the iconic Stirling Castle. The current castle dates from the late 14th to 16th century when it was a favoured residence of the Stuart monarchs. Strategically, Stirling was politically crucial from early to medieval times and it was always said that “whoever controlled Stirling, controlled Scotland”.
During your visit, enjoy a guided tour of the castle, particularly focusing on the tapestries exhibit. Here, you will learn how the tapestries were made along with seeing some of the equipment used in putting together these master works of art. After lunch (included), you will also meet the group locally known as ‘Sgioba Luaidh Inbhirchluaidh’ which translates to the ‘Inverclyde Waulking Group’ for a waulking session in the castle followed by afternoon refreshments. Overnight Stirling Town Centre Hotel, Stirling, (Breakfast and Lunch included)
This morning, stop to the picturesque location of Luss to breath in the fresh air of Loch Lomond before you continue north for lunch at the Glencoe Gathering before a demonstration of the dyeing techniques at Loch Ness Knitting. Loch Ness Knitting is a small business located in Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness.
Owner Dwynwen is passionate about creating original knitwear and yarn inspired by the Highland landscape. Overnight Inverness located Hotel, Inverness, (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Today, journey North West to the ferry terminal in Ullapool where you will board your ferry to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Explore locally before you check in to your hotel and enjoy some free time in Stornoway town centre in search of local yarn and book shops including Wool 4 Ewe, which won 2019 Independent Yarn store of the year.
There will also be a chance this afternoon to pay a visit to the Calanais Standing Stones which form one of the most complete circles in Britain. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant this evening. Overnight 4 star hotel, Stornoway, (Breakfast and Dinner included)
This morning, travel the short journey to The Carloway Mill for a tour. The mill is one of three working Harris Tweed textile mills in the world, which produces the renowned Harris Tweed fabric. After lunch (not included), it’s on to Donald John Mackay’s studio, a well-known Harris Tweed weaver who has been making Harris tweed in his own shed.
John reigns from the small village of Luskentyre in the Outer Hebrides and the art of weaving goes back a long way in his family. Enjoy some free time in the village of Tarbert before heading back to your hotel in Stornoway in time for dinner. Overnight 4 Star Hotel, Stornoway, (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Travel this morning to the ferry port of Tarbert to board a ferry to Uig on the Isle of Skye. On arrival in Skye, pay a visit to Shilasdair Yarns before checking into your Portree hotel and enjoying the local scenery. This evening, dine in your hotel.
Overnight Isle of Skye Hotel, (Breakfast and Dinner included)
This morning, check out of your hotel and enjoy a visit to the nearby historic Dunvegan Castle and Gardens. Travel south to the town of Armadale for a visit to The Handspinner Having Fun for a Dorset Button Workshop. The group will be split in two for this workshop and the other half of the group will be taken to a tasting session at Gaelic Whiskies.
Following lunch the groups will switch. Travel the Skye Bridge back to the mainland stopping at Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most evocative castles which has long been associated with the ‘picture-perfect’ postcard of Scotland. Overnight Inverness Located Hotel, Inverness, (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
This morning, visit Culloden Battlefield, the scene of the 1746 Battle of Culloden between the Jacobite and the British armies. As the last battle being fought on British soil, Culloden marks the beginning of the dismantlement of the structures of Highland society. In the aftermath of the battle, kilts and tartans were banned. It was here that the Jacobite army fought for a Stuart king in order to reclaim the throne of Britain from the Hanoverians.
Today, 250 years on, Culloden is still a site that connects us intimately with Britain's past. Find out why this battle lasted only one hour but still changed the course of Scotland's history. Next, it’s onto Clava Cairns, a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex of passage graves; ring cairns, kerb cairns and standing stones, where were used as a shooting location for the television series Outlander. Enjoy lunch in Culloden before an afternoon visit to Tomatin Highland Distillery for a tour and a wee dram! Overnight Inverness Based Hotel, Inverness, (Breakfast and Lunch included))
Today, check out of your hotel and pay a visit to the Highland Tartan Rebels at Prickly Thistle! Begin your return journey back to Scotland’s capital. On the way, visit the Highland Folk Museum which gives visitors a sense of how Highland people lived and worked from the 1700s up until the 1960s.
Your tour will pay special attention to traditional crafts like spinning, knitting and weaving and you will enjoy a special textile talk from the museum’s curator. Enjoy lunch (not included) in the onsite café. Next, continue your journey south towards the city of Edinburgh. Here you will enjoy a pop up shop brought to you by the colourful and fun Ginger Twist in the comfort of your hotel! Overnight Edinburgh City Centre Hotel, Edinburgh, (Breakfast included)
After breakfast, travel to nearby Dovecot Studio for a chance to view the brand new Knitwear Chanel to Westwood Exhibition. Travel down to picturesque Melrose on the Borders for a workshop at the award winning knitwear design house of ERIBÉ Knitwear. Return to Edinburgh for your Farewell Dinner.
Overnight Edinburgh City Centre Hotel, Edinburgh, (Breakfast and Dinner included)
