Joy of Yarn Craft Adventures

JOY OF YARN CRAFT ADVENTURES

Invite you to come along on our...

SCOTLAND & SHETLAND ISLANDS KNITTING TOUR

October 1st - 10th, 2025.

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. All the photos you see here are my own, with the exception of a couple, 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 this year.

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 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 Sanquhar, New Lanark, Dundee and Aberdeen before sailing across to the Shetland Islands.

A highlight of the tour is that our first day in Shetland coincides with the final day of the legendary Shetland Wool Week. This means that we will get to experience the excitement this event brings. We will be visiting the Wool Week 'Hub' as it is hosted at the Shetland Museum and Archives where we will be having a guided tour. Watch this space for when the Wool Week 2025 programme is released to see if we can include any specific events into our plans for that day.

Once we return to the Scottish mainland the tour will make its way south to its conclusion in Edinburgh.

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 store For the Love of Yarn (and you'll get to choose a skein for FREE for one of the workshops)
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
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 Edinburgh we'll go to the yarn store Kathy's Knits

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 Sanquhar we'll have a demonstration and talk about Sanquhar knitting
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 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.
In Edinburgh we will have a talk with the designer Lucy Hague
In Edinburgh we will have a lace knitting workshop with Karie Westermann

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 Sanquhar and back. Then we travel across Scotland from Glasgow 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 Edinburgh are beautiful too.

Are you tempted yet?

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

In Glasgow we'll visit Glasgow Cathedral
In Glasgow we'll have lunch at The Willow Tea Rooms (A must do for any Mackintosh fans)
In Glasgow we'll have an afternoon free to explore the central city
On the way to Dundee, we'll stop off at Blackness Castle (This was used as Fort William in the Outlander TV series)
In Dundee we'll visit the V&A Gallery
In Lerwick we'll visit the Textile Museum as well as the 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
In Edinburgh we'll visit Edinburgh Castle
In Edinburgh we'll visit the Scotch Whisky Experience (Which includes a wee tipple)
In Edinburgh we'll have a little time to explore the Old Town and Royal Mile

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 Apex City of Glasgow Hotel for two nights
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
In County Edinburgh we'll be staying at the 4 star Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club for two nights