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Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Edinburgh and The Scottish Textile Showcase!

Our tour begins in the lobby of the hotel where we introduce you to our experienced tour guide and your new travelling companions! We visit the Scottish Textiles Showcase, specialising in Scottish provenance and craftsmanship.

You can then enjoy free afternoon of wandering the charming streets of Edinburgh, exploring its historic alleys, cozy cafés, and stunning views from the hilltops, soaking in the city’s unique blend of old-world charm and vibrant culture.

Enjoy a welcome dinner in your Edinburgh hotel this evening.

Overnight Edinburgh based hotel, Dinner included

person walking on empty street with colourful buildings
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Day 2: Dundee and Overnight Ferry to Shetland

Today, we leave Edinburgh and travel towards Aberdeen to catch an overnight ferry to Shetland. En route, we stop in Dundee to visit the V&A Dundee and the RRS Discovery. We visit the RRS Discovery and Discovery Point Museum. This museum explores one of the most heroic voyages of exploration, that of Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton.

The V&A Design Museum is our next point of call - the first dedicated design attraction in Scotland. Situated overlooking Dundee’s waterfront, you can learn all about design from the past, present and future through the stunning displays on exhibit. After lunch (included), we continue our journey to Aberdeen where we board the overnight ferry to Shetland. Once on board, we have comfortable cabin accommodation as well as a bar, lounge, restaurant and gift shop. Breakfast is available the following morning before disembarking.

Overnight Northlink Ferries, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

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Day 3: Shetland - Silly Sheep, Shetland Textile Museum and Jamieson and Smith shopping

On arrival in Shetland, we disembark the ferry at Lerwick and after dropping our bags at the nearby hotel, set off to explore the island. Our first stop is Silly Sheep Fibre Company who create beautiful fibre and knitting yarns from their own flock and those of their friends and neighbours. We then take a trip to the Shetland Textile Museum, which is run by the community. It is the only one of its kind completely dedicated to the heritage of Shetland textiles and knitting. It features examples from the historic to the contemporary, all embracing Shetland skills.

After some free time for lunch (not included), we stop at Jamieson & Smith (Shetland Wool Brokers LTD), where you can shop until you drop! Settled down in the tour hotel for the evening and enjoy a meet and greet with one of our Shetland knitting instructors before dinner.

Overnight Shetland, Breakfast and Dinner included

Sheep being petted
Knitting Belt in hands
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Day 4: Shetland Knitting Belt Workshop and Jarlshof

This morning, enjoy a knitting class with the famous Shetland Knitting Belt! Receive your own special needles and leather belt, handmade on Shetland. Discover how to work with a knitting belt - an essential tool for generations of knitters who had the task of hand knitting for their families down through the years. Enjoy lunch (included) in a local restaurant.

This afternoon, head for Jarlshof, a fascinating archaeological site in Shetland, where visitors can explore layers of history from the Neolithic era through the Bronze and Iron Ages to the Viking and medieval periods, with well-preserved ruins that tell the story of thousands of years of human settlement. This evening relax in the hotel with dinner and afterwards a Knitting Circle hosted by one of Shetland’s talented instructors.

Overnight Shetland, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

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Day 5: Shetland Lace Class, Nielanell Studio and Shetland Museum

After breakfast, its time for a class on Shetland Lace. Learn the skills required to plan your own Shetland-inspired lace design. Our next stop will be at Nielanell Studio, where we will meet Niela Kalra, a textile designer who specializes in contemporary knitwear, homeware and accessories!

We journey back to Lerwick for some free time for lunch (not included). Finally, experience a special Archive Textile Talk and Tour at the Shetland Museum and Archives. Return to the hotel for dinner with your fellow knitters.

Overnight Shetland, Breakfast and Dinner included

Yarn and lace pattern
Man stood beside sheep fleeces
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Day 6: Garths Croft Tour and Bressay Island Tour

This morning, we make the short ferry trip to Bressay Island. Our first stop is a tour of Garths Croft with local farmer Chris Dyer. Experience the traditional Shetland crofting life, with a guided visit through historic buildings, working land, and stories that bring the island’s rural heritage, customs, and daily life of past generations to life. After lunch (included), enjoy an Island Tour led by Chris. The tour offers a relaxed exploration of this peaceful Shetland Island, combining stunning coastal scenery with visits to historic landmarks such as the lighthouse and ancient ruins. Along the way, learn about Bressay’s history, wildlife, and traditional island life, gaining a deeper appreciation of its natural beauty and close-knit community.

This evening relax in the hotel with dinner and afterwards a Knitting Circle hosted by one of Shetland’s talented instructors.

Overnight Shetland, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included

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Day 7: Fair Isle Knitting Class, Lerwick Brewery and Ferry to Aberdeen

This morning after checkout, take part in a Fair Isle knitting class, where we learn how to knit a Fair Isle headband in the round. After the workshop head to Lerwick Brewery. Guests are welcomed on a guided brewery tour to learn how beer is crafted in Shetland, from raw ingredients to the finished product.

The experience continues in the taproom with a tasting of four beers paired with locally made nibbles, while enjoying live traditional Shetland folk music featuring stories, ballads, and reels. Board the overnight ferry with an evening sail from Shetland and a return to Aberdeen.

Overnight Northlink Ferries, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Knitting hands at desk with yarn and pattern
Sweeping drive to castle entrance
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Day 8: Strathmore Woollen Co. and Glamis Castle

Enjoy breakfast on the ferry before disembarking at Aberdeen. Our first stop of the day will be at Strathmore Woollen Co. This visit offers an insight into traditional Scottish textile craftsmanship, with a short talk on tartan weaving and the company’s heritage. Guests will have time to browse and shop, and each participant will receive a special gift.

This castle was the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth and was also the childhood home of H.M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The gardens surrounding Glamis Castle are beautiful all year round. Continue on to Edinburgh where we check in to our hotel and indulge in a relaxing group dinner.

Overnight Edinburgh based hotel, Breakfast and Dinner included

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Day 9: Edinburgh Chocolatarium, Yarn Shopping, Knitwear Designer Talk and Badger & Co. Farewell Dinner

This morning, we visit the Edinburgh Chocolatarium for a guided Chocolate Tour, taking us on a delicious journey into the world of chocolate. Discover where chocolate comes from, see and smell how it is made, and create your own dream chocolate bar to take home. The tour concludes in the Tasting Room, with the chance to sample over 40 flavours. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to sightsee, shop, or simply relax and knit.

Time for yarn store shopping! Take time to browse a wide selection of yarns, patterns, and knitting accessories as we visit another of one of Edinburgh's well known yarn stores and hear from a Knitwear Designer about their work and inspiration.

The day finishes with a Farewell Dinner at a nearby restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Overnight Edinburgh based hotel, Breakfast and Dinner included

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Day 10: Farwell to your Shetland and Scotland adventure!

We will transfer you to Edinburgh airport in plenty of time to complete check-in formalities and that last minute duty free shopping.

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