Once that’s done you’ll be able to experience the KnittingTours website perfectly.
Visit Edinburgh Castle which stands majestically upon the basalt core of an extinct volcano. Return to your hotel for an introductory talk on Scottish Textiles with Scottish Textiles Expert Kitty Bruce-Gardyne, followed by your welcome dinner. Overnight in Edinburgh, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Included
After your class we travel to New Lanark Mill, a unique 18th century mill and UNESCO heritage site. The mill was founded in 1786 and taken over in 1800 by Robert Owen, an influential social reformer. In Owen's time over 2,500 people lived and worked at New Lanark, many from the poorhouses of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Owen improved the lives of these workers by introducing previously unheard of social welfare programmes and a school for the children.
After time to explore the site, we travel to the small village of Sanquhar which is famous for a traditional geometric-style pattern named after its founding village. We will visit the A’ The Airts Centre for a presentation on the traditional Sanquhar pattern. You will enjoy a demonstration of hand-knitting of Sanquhar Gloves and see how the pattern is made on their knitting machines. After your visit continue to Glasgow where the remainder of your evening will be free for personal sightseeing or shopping. Overnight in Glasgow, Bed & Breakfast included.
We will see George’s Square with its ornate city chambers and pay a visit to Provand’s Lordship, Glasgow’s oldest buildings which dates from 1471. The afternoon is free for personal sightseeing or shopping or you can simply return to your hotel and relax if you wish. The names and addresses of Glasgow’s main knitting shops will be featured in your itinerary so that you can visit if you feel like it. Alternatively, you can take an optional tour to Paisley which is famous the Paisley Shawl which was produced here in droves up until the 19th century, where you can step back in time with a visit to Sma’ Shot Cottages. Overnight in Glasgow, Bed & Breakfast included.
At Auchindrain we will also meet the group locally known as ‘Sgioba Luaidh Inbhirchluaidh’ which translates to the ‘Inverclyde Waulking Group. Waulking is a method of finishing newly woven tweed by soaking and thumping it steadily to shrink and soften it. The group sings Waulking Songs as they work! Continue to Oban and check into your hotel for the night.
Following your visit travel onward to a Distillery tour and Whisky Tasting. The tour offers you a sensory introduction to the entire process of whisky-making in a historic distillery and enjoy a whisky tasting before you leave! Continue to Elgin and check into your hotel. Overnight in Elgin, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Included.
In the afternoon we will take a tour of Johnston’s Mill. Johnston’s of Elgin have proudly been making the finest cashmere clothing, accessories and fabric in Scotland since 1797. They are now the last operating vertical mill in Scotland which means all processes are done on site. Watch for yourself as the cashmere is dyed, teased, carded, spun and hand finished by the latest generation of Elgin craftsmen. For those not interested in the mill tour or the knitting workshop there is lots to see in the town of Elgin including the ruins of Elgin cathedral and Britain’s oldest museum, the Elgin Museum. Overnight in Elgin, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Included.
Listen to the stories of the mill workers, see how they lived and worked in an industry which enveloped Dundee. Continue onto the V&A Design Gallery. The V&A Dundee is Scotland’s first dedicated design museum and the Design Gallery features more than 300 exhibits from all over Scotland. After your visit, continue to your hotel and check in. Overnight in Dundee, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Included.
In the afternoon we visit Kinaldy Farm in St. Andrew’s and explore farm life, walking the Alpacas, seeing the cattle, sheep and sheep dogs in action! Continue to Edinburgh and check into your hotel and relax before this evening’s final farewell dinner in your hotel. Overnight in Edinburgh, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
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