Knitting In Shetland
2026 Tour
See What's Included
- £1500 - Deposit Due immediately to secure your place on the trip
- £2990 - Final Payment due 4 months prior to the trip starting
Paid in two separate instalments.
£4490 per person
OPTION 2 - Private Room Price
- £1500 - Deposit Due immediately to secure your place on the trip
- £2490 - Final Payment due 4 months prior to the trip starting
Paid in two separate instalments.
£3990 per person
OPTION 1 - Twin Room Price
Price
BOOKING FORM
10th - 17th June 2026
8th - 15th July 2026
6th - 13th May 2026
JUNE
MAY
JULY
2026 Tour Dates
Our immersive tours are designed to give an insight into Shetland's knitting traditions and local textile industry. Each trip offers a carefully planned blend of workshops and classes aimed at opening up the world of Shetland knitting, with walks and excursions to explore and appreciate the landscape and history of our islands. You will visit some of Shetland's most scenic locations and sample delicious local produce too.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime-holiday.
Join us on an unforgettable journey to discover Shetland and our unique textile heritage.
Create a thread between you & Shetland that spans oceans.
Trip Highlights
- A visit to Shetland Museum and Archives where we will be given a guided tour of the textile collection which was deemed a Recognised Collection of National Significance in Scotland in 2013.
- Visits to local crofters to learn about Shetland Sheep in their native environment
- A visit to the Sandness spinning mill, home of Jamieson’s of Shetland yarn
- A visit to Shetland Textile Museum, a vibrant showcase of Shetland’s textile culture and heritage
- A visit to Jamieson & Smith where we will learn about the art of wool sorting and grading
- A visit to the Unst Heritage Centre to view their famous Shetland lace collection
- A Fair Isle class with Donna Smith
- A Shetland lace class with Elizabeth Johnston or Anne Eunson
- A Shades of Shetland class with Donna Smith
- A class on colour blending and Fair Isle yokes with Hazel Tindall
- An introduction to the history of Shetland textiles and knitting talk by Dr. Carol Christiansen
- Ella Gordon's Shetland knitwear trunk show
- A walking tour of Lerwick with Laurie Goodlad – step back in time to the 18th century to the days of the Dutch fishermen, smugglers and whalers.
- Excursions to many Shetland spectacular places and areas of interest such as St Ninian's Isle, Unst, Yell, Burra, Northmavine, South Mainland, Westside or Bressay
- Many Shetland yarn and knitwear shopping opportunities
1 0o is wool in Shetland dialect.
2 Please note that Jamieson's is a working mill so a tour of the factory is not always possible. If this is the case an alternative programme will be provided.
- After breakfast we will head to the Westside of Shetland. Our first stop will be in Bixter, at Marion Anderson's Breckenlea Croft and Shetland pony Stud to see her Shetland sheep, ponies and working sheepdogs.
- Then we will head to Sandness to visit the Jamieson's of Shetland Spinning Mill, where their yarn and knitwear is made. We will be given a tour of the factory and we will learn about the full process of yarn and garment production including grading, scouring, dyeing, spinning, knitting and linking.
- After lunch we will return to Lerwick to visit the charming Shetland Textile Museum, a vibrant showcase of Shetland's textile culture and heritage, run by volunteers.
- We will then head to Jamieson & Smith Shetland Woolbrokers. Oliver Henry will give us a demonstration in Shetland wool sorting and grading and there will also be an opportunity to shop for yarn.
- After a delicious home-cooked dinner we'll meet Ella Gordon and learn about her fabulous Shetland knitwear collection.
Shetland Museum and Archives, Fair Isle Class with Donna Smith and Old Lerwick
DAY 3
- Our day starts at Shetland Museum and Archives where we will be given a private guided tour of the textile collection which was deemed a Recognised Collection of National Significance in Scotland in 2013.
- After tea and cake we will start our Fair Isle class with Donna Smith, Shetland Wool Week 2015 patron and the iconic Baa-ble hat designer. The class continues into the early evening.
- After dinner we will take a leisurely walk around old Lerwick with local travel writer and Lonely Planet guide contributor Laurie Goodlad. She'll guide us back to the 18th century; to the days of the Dutch fishermen, smugglers and whalers. We will soak up the atmosphere and hear stories about life in the old closes, courts and lodberries. Laurie will also explain the truck (barter) system, in place until the 1930s, by which Shetland knitters produced garments not for cash, but for credit at the local shop.
The Westside, Shetland Oo, Shetland Textile Museum and Vintage Shetland Knitwear with Ella Gordon
DAY 2
We'll gather at 6pm for a welcome dinner. We will get to know each other, go over the itinerary and talk about the days ahead.
There will also be an introduction to Shetland textile heritage and tradition. Bring your knitting with you!
Arrival & Welcome
Day 1
Full Itinerary
- We will begin our Sunday with a class in traditional Shetland lace with Elizabeth Johnston, one of the islands' most respected lace makers and spinners and learn the delicate art of creating a Shetland lace sampler or wall hanging.
- The afternoon will take us on a breathtaking journey through some of Shetland's most spectacular landscapes. We'll walk across the famous sand tombolo to St Ninian's Isle, after we'll step back in time at the Croft House Museum.
- The day conlcudes at Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and Nature Reserve for a short walk. Here dramatic cliffs meet the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, and during summer months, witness thousands of seabirds including the beloved puffins, fulmars, guillemots and shags.
Shetland Lace with Elizabeth Johnston & South Mainland
DAY 5
- The fourth day will take us to Yell and Unst, Britain's most northerly island. Unst is one of the most spectacular and interesting islands in Europe, fascinating for both its natural and human history. The beautiful and varied landscape supports a rich variety of wildlife, Viking sites, as well as pure-bred Shetland sheep and Shetland ponies which roam the common grazing land.
- The highlight is our visit to Unst Heritage Centre to view their world-renowned collection of fine lace knitwear.
- On our return journey, we'll stop on the island of Yell to explore The Shetland Gallery, which showcases contemporary arts and crafts by some of Shetland's most celebrated artists and makers.
- We'll also visit the Old Haa Museum, a beautifully preserved 17th century laird's house, offering thoughtful exhibits on Yell's rich social history, maritime heritage and local culture.
Top of Britain - Yell, Unst & Lace
DAY 4
- Our penultimate day begins with a Fair Isle yoke class led by Hazel Tindall, renowned as the world's fastest knitter. This comprehensive session includes a show-and-tell, knitting demonstration, and hands-on instruction to help you master colourwork and the traditional Shetland techniques used in Fair Isle yoke construction.
- After lunch, we'll visit Nielanell's vibrant studio and the Shetland Woollen Co in Hoswick.
- The tour will then take us to Levenwick to a unique culinary experience with Jenny Watt, local food blogger, forager and gastronomy graduate. We'll explore Shetland's distinctive foodscape - sampling local produce and foraged ingredients like herbs, berries, seaweed and coastal plants. Together, we'll prepare and share a memorable farewell dinner crafted from these island treasures
- This final class will focus on key Shetland knitting techniques, bringing together the skills and knowledge you've gathered throughout the week. Details are still being finalised, but you can expect a comprehensive session designed to reinforce traditional methods and inspire your own knitting projects. It's the perfect way to reflect on your journey and celebrate the artistry of Shetland knitwear.
Fair Isle Yokes Class with Hazel Tindall, Hoswick, Nielanell and a Cookery Class
Final Fair Isle Class
DAY 8
DAY 7
- We will begin the day with a visit to Ronnie Eunson's Uradale organic farm. This is a wonderful opportunity to see Shetland sheep in their native environment, learn about organic crofting practices, and draw inspiration from the surrounding scenery. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase Uradale's beautiful yarn.
- Next we'll travel to Burra, home of designer and 2015 Shetland Wool Week patron Donna Smith. Donna will welcome us to her croft, where she'll share insights into her design work and the story behing her Langsoond yarn, named after the stretch of sea behind her home.
- After lunch we'll settle in for a class focused on the Shetland hap - a traditional shawl that has long been part of daily life in Shetland. You'll learn the distinctive techniques of hap construction and explore their cultural significance while connecting with this enduring island tradition.
Uradale Farm, Burra and Hap Class with Donna Smith
DAY 6
- Seven nights accommodation in a centrally located, fully renovated townhouse in the historic centre of Lerwick.
- Daily breakfasts, packed lunches, tea/coffee and snacks, plus evening Shetland Seasonal Supper Club meals with wine
- Airport and ferry transfers
- All transport within Shetland
- Knitting classes led by Shetland expert tutors - some hosted at the SWA creative space in Lerwick's historic lanes
- All visits and entry fees as detailed in the itinerary
- The services of a dedicated tour manager
- Professional Shetland tour guides throughout
- Knitting materials for all workshops
- A beautifully curated Shetland Wool Adventures goodie bag
- Email support for any Shetland adventure-related queries before your trip
Pricing Includes
- £1500 - Deposit Due immediately to secure your place on the trip
- £2990 - Final Payment due 4 months prior to the trip starting
Paid in two separate instalments.
£4490 per person
OPTION 2 - Private Room Price
- £1500 - Deposit Due immediately to secure your place on the trip
- £2490 - Final Payment due 4 months prior to the trip starting
Paid in two separate instalments.
£3990 per person
OPTION 1 - Twin Room Price
Tour Details
*Please note that travel to and from Shetland is not included in the price.
For more information please email Info@shetlandwooladventures.com
CONTACT
All meals are prepared using fresh, seasonal Shetland produce. Due to the nature and size of the trip, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate specific dietary requirements, allergies, or intolerances.
This tour is best suited to those with an open and adventurous approach to food, and who are happy to enjoy a variety of traditional Shetland flavours - including lamb, beef and dairy - as part of the experience.
FOOD
We have a team of talented and experienced
Shetland tutors who have a wide range of textile knowledge and expertise.
Our guides are professionally trained, accredited and insured and they are members of STGA (Scottish Tour Guides Association).
TUTORS & GUIDES
We reserve the right to make small changes to the tour where practical.
ITINERARY
We keep our group size small, with a maximum number of 6 participants, to ensure quality and individual attention.
Our expert tutors and guides are always on hand to help you and provide you with help, advice and insightful information, all backed up by years of experience.
We pride ourselves in a truly individual and personal approach to ensure you have the best possible experience.
