Joy of Yarn Craft Adventures

JOY OF YARN CRAFT ADVENTURES

Invite you to come along on our...

SCOTLAND & SHETLAND ISLANDS KNITTING TOUR

October 4th - 13th, 2026.

Have you ever wanted to visit Scotland and the Shetland Islands, to explore their knitting traditions but didn't know where to start with all the planning? Or were you worried about travelling solo? If that's the case, a guided tour can be a great option for you.

I have enjoyed many a craft adventure while travelling through Scotland and Shetland, both on my own and as part of guided tours. Most of the photos you see here are my own, to prove I've visited and enjoyed these places firsthand. I've put all my experiences together and worked with KnittingTours.com to create a unique, knitting inspired, tour through Scotland and Shetland for October of 2026.

It's amazing just how many New Zealanders have strong links to Scotland and Shetland, yet they have never been able to travel there. I have links to the South-West of Scotland and whenever I visit, I feel a sense of belonging and familiarity... it's so similar, yet different to New Zealand. I'm sure that you will enjoy your time there too.

This tour will provide a mix of touring, sightseeing, workshops, demonstrations, farm visits, shopping and of course knitting. Starting in Glasgow the tour will take you to Stirling and Aberdeen before sailing across to Shetland. Once we return to the Scottish mainland we will head back to Glasgow and then on to Sanquhar and New Lanark.

If you have an adventuring spirit, a love of knitting, and a desire to travel, this could be the tour for you!

Are you tempted yet?

If you're interested in yarn shopping, we have you covered...

In Glasgow we'll go to the yarn stores The Yarn Cake and For the Love of Yarn
On Shetland we'll go to The Silly Sheep Company
In Lerwick we'll go to the Jamieson's of Shetland store and J&S The Wool Brokers
In Sanquhar we'll go to the gift store at A' The Airts
In New Lanark we'll go to the New Lanark Spinning Company gift store

Are you tempted yet?

If you're interested in workshops and demonstrations, we have you covered...

In Glasgow we'll have a yarn dyeing demonstration at For the Love of Yarn
In Stirling we'll have a loom and weaving demonstration with the Radical Weavers
On Shetland we'll visit Garth's Croft which will include a demonstration of dog handling and sheep herding
On Shetland we'll visit The Silly Sheep farm and learn about how Rebecca moved from the Hebrides to Shetland and set up her croft and yarn business
On Shetland we'll visit Burra Bears for a talk about how the business came about and see examples of these beautiful world famous bears
On Shetland we'll visit the Shetland Jewellery Studio for a talk on their history and how they create their beautiful pieces
In Lerwick we will have a workshop with Linda Shearer on Fair Isle knitting
In Lerwick we will also have a workshop with Janette Budge on how to use a Knitting belt
On the way back to Glasgow we'll visit Lunan Bay Farm to see their goats and learn the story of Scottish Cashmere and see a spinning demonstration
In Sanquhar we'll have a demonstration and talk about Sanquhar knitting

Are you tempted yet?

If you're interested in breathtaking scenery, we have you covered...

It's Scotland and Shetland!
Travelling by air-conditioned coach you'll take in the Scottish countryside as we adventure from Glasgow to Stirling and across to Aberdeen.
Travelling by ferry between Aberdeen and Shetland you'll be out in open waters with marine views and birdlife.
Once on Shetland you'll get the sense of Island living in the North Sea with land and sea views.
A day trip over to Bressay Island including a visit to Garth's Croft and the Bressay Lighthouse
The views on the journey South from Aberdeen to Glasgow are beautiful too.

Are you tempted yet?

If you're interested in touristy things, we have you covered...

In Glasgow we'll have lunch at The Willow Tea Rooms (A must do for any Mackintosh fans)
On Shetland we will visit some Shetland ponies
In Lerwick we'll visit the Shetland Textile Museum as well as the Shetland Museum and Archives
In Lerwick we'll have time to explore the shops of Commercial St and pop over to Bains Beach to see the house occupied by DI Jimmy Perez in the Shetland TV series
On the way back to Glasgow we will visit Glamis Castle, the childhood home of Elizabeth, King Charles' Grandmother.
After Glamis Castle we will make out way to the remarkable equine statues called The Kelpies
In Sanquhar (if time allows) we will visit the Tollboth Museum which has a knitting collection
We will visit New Lanark which is a UNESCO World Heritage site

Are you tempted yet?

If you're interested in good quality accommodations, we have you covered...

In Glasgow we'll be staying at the 4 Star Radisson Blu Hotel
On the sea voyage to and from Shetland we'll be in cabins aboard one of the Northlink Ferries. (The cabins are the best accommodation option on the ferry)
In Lerwick we'll be staying at the 3 star Shetland Hotel for three nights