Scottish Skeins & Skerries Tour, 2007

Don't wait any longer...space is available if you contact me immediately! knitting@joycejamestours.com

Our 11th Scottish Tour!
June 11th to June 27th, 2007.
Joyce James has the Tour experience and know-how to make these knitting tours enjoyable and insightful. Read a report from a previous participant on this trip. Click Here
Price of the tour:
$6995.00 CAD; $6414.00 USD
(see more price details at page bottom)

IMPORTANT! This tour will not be offered again in 2008.
If you are considering a knitting tour to Scotland, don't wait to book. Email me to indicate your interest: knitting@joycejamestours.com

Please check the Registration Form for complete price details and provisoes.
Note: The registration form is in PDF format requiring the Acrobat reader to open. If the file does not open automatically, Click here to get the free Acrobat reader.

Join us for our eleventh tour to Scotland. Follow a unique itinerary, exploring the many highlights of this scenic, proud land.

Highlights of the 2007 Scotland Tour

Day 5: Friday, 15 June

Among the many highlights of our day on Westray: a visit to a puffin colony; a jewellery designer; a knitting cooperative; two sisters who design knitted textiles and special buttons; an art gallery; a maker of the unique, traditional Orkney chairs; and the Westray Heritage Centre.

Depending on the availability of seats and the schedule, some people might like to take a flight to nearby Papa Westray. This route holds the world record as the shortest scheduled flight—just over two minutes!

Our return ferry journey back to Kirkwall will arrive in time for a late dinner at the hotel.

Day 7: Sunday, 17 June
This is our day for exploring mainland Orkney, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We’ll visit the archaeological sites of Skara Brae, a Stone Age village dating from 3,000 B.C., and Maeshowe, reputed to be the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe and built before 2700 B.C. We’ll also visit the harbour at Scapa Flow, the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel. Our guide will give us the historical perspective of these important sites. Craftspeople have not been forgotten and we’ll stop at a craft cooperative in the tiny village of St. Margaret’s Hope.

Day 8: Monday, 18 June
Your morning is free to explore Kirkwall: perhaps buy some of the distinctive, highly desirable North Ronaldsay yarn or the beautifully designed local jewellery; visit the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral, founded in 1137; the Orkney Museum across the street; the extensive public library and a second hand bookstore. (Some out-of-print knitting books have been located here by previous travellers.)

In the afternoon, our coach will be ready for a visit to Kirbuster Museum, to see how Orcadian ancestors lived, with Orkney’s last peat-fired central hearth and Victorian gardens; and Corriedale Farm Museum with its traditional ‘but and ben’ design. Both these sites have been preserved to show how life used to be on Orkney.

An option today:
Depending on the availability of air seats, visit the outlying island of North Ronaldsay to see the primitive breed of sheep of the same name, which live outside dykes on the seashore and feed on kelp. The soft yarn from their fleece is in high demand and comes in five natural colours, from a dark brown to a light tan/grey.

A visit will be organized to see the mill which processes the yarn and you will have the opportunity to speak with Jane Donnelly, manager of ‘Yarn from North Ronaldsay’. (The mill machinery was purchased and moved from Prince Edward Island.) Jane has fleece, roving and yarn for sale on site.

If you would like to visit North Ronaldsay, please indicate at the time of registration. There is only room for seven passengers on the plane. The same-day return fare is ₤40.00 and this reservation will have to be paid for at the time of reservation.

Day 9: Tuesday, 19 June
In the morning we’ll go to nearby Stromness, the second largest town on Orkney and former port of call for Hudson Bay Company ships during the 18th and 19th centuries. They stopped to take on fresh water at Login’s Well and to hire factors for their outposts in the Canadian north. Stromness has a very interesting museum and several art galleries.

Day 10: Wednesday, 20 June
After a relaxed morning, our coach will take us to the airport and our short Loganair flight to the Shetland Islands, ‘crossroads of the northern seas’. En route, we fly over the tiny island of Fair Isle before landing at Sumburgh Airport, at the southern tip of mainland Shetland. Located between mainland Scotland and Scandinavia, these islands share the character of both. Friendly, hospitable people, archaeological sites, stunning scenery—all make this area a special place.

Near the airport, we will visit Old Scatness Broch (probably a defensive fortification) and Iron Age village. Archaeologists are currently excavating the site and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and have a look at the Roman glass and Pictish painted pebbles which have been discovered so far. A weaver will be demonstrating on a warp-weighted loom, using local wool. She weaves cloth for the costumes worn by the staff.

Orkney designer and knitter Doreen Brown is also nearby and we’ll visit her studio before arriving at our hotel in Lerwick, Shetland’s capital. Our first stop in Lerwick will be at Jamieson & Smith (also known as the Shetland Wool Brokers) where arrangements have been made to meet Oliver Henry. Oliver is known as the ‘wool man’ and is an expert in judging fleece. He will give us an introduction to the fleece of Shetland breeds and the handling of the wool from fleece to yarn. The friendly, knowledgeable staff will be ready to give you help and suggestions to start knitting the Fair Isle and Shetland lace projects.

After dinner, you can take in the exhibition of Shetland Crafts and Culture held at the community centre of Islesburgh House. This is the 50th year the exhibition has been held and you’ll be able to hear traditional fiddle music and to watch demonstrations of Shetlanders knitting and spinning skills.

Day 11: Thursday, 21 June
Today marks the Summer Solstice—the day with the longest number of daylight hours. This will be especially noticeable in this northern locale where you will experience “Simmer Dim”, when the late evening light gradually fades into a long twilight.

In the morning, we’ll have a short walking tour of the centre of Lerwick, which is little changed from historical photos. There are many interesting small shops and a well-stocked bookstore, and your tour escort will give you an overview and suggest several places for tasty, inexpensive lunches.

In the afternoon you can take in the activities associated with Johnsmas Foy, the summer festival featuring local music, food, culture and crafts, plus the Shetland-Bergen Yacht Race.

Day 12: Friday, 22 June
Your morning is free. You may like to revisit Jamieson & Smith or go to the new museum, scheduled to open in Spring 2007. The innovative architecture of the building, located on the harbour in Lerwick, will show Shetland’s rich history from the geological beginnings to present day. Many examples of Shetland knitting will be on display.

In the afternoon, we’ll meet with the talented members of the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers for demonstrations of their traditional knitting styles and beautiful Shetland lace and Fair Isle garments. They will be happy for you to give it a try.This has always been a highlight of previous tours as Shetlanders and North Americans meet for tea and a chance to chat, ask questions and come away with many warm memories and friendships. Please bring your knitting along—Shetlanders are always interested in our projects and what’s on our needles.

An option today:
Depending on availability of air seats and favourable flying weather, it will be possible to visit the island of Fair Isle for the day. The return fare is ₤65.00 for adults and ₤28.00 for those over 60 years. While on Fair Isle you’ll be able to visit the Bird Observatory to see the many birds which stop there on their migratory paths. There is a small museum of Fair Isle knitting.

Day 13: Saturday, 23 June
Your morning is free. This might be the time to take a Seabirds-and-Seals cruise to see the spectacular coastline and many birds of the Noss National Nature Reserve. The skipper is a wildlife guide and ornithologist, and his boat is equipped with a submarine camera.

After lunch, we’ll meet our coach to visit nearby Scalloway, the first capital of Shetland. We’ll have lunch at the Fisheries College and later will visit the tiny Scalloway Museum with its memorabilia from the Shetland Bus heroism of World War II.

On our way back to Lerwick, we’ll stop at the studio of Wilma Malcolmson, justifiably acknowledged as one of the best sources of machine and hand-knitted garments on Shetland. Her choice of colours is unparalleled. We’ll also visit the home of Jimmy Work whose handmade baskets are in high demand. Hopefully he’ll have a supply on hand for us to purchase.

Day 14: Sunday, 24 June
This is a relaxed day—time to sit and knit in the hotel, revisit the museum or just walk and enjoy the fresh air.

In the evening, we’ll board the Northlink ferry for our overnight journey to mainland Scotland and the granite city of Aberdeen. Accommodation will be in comfortable ensuite cabins.

Day 15: Monday, 25 June
After our morning arrival at Aberdeen’s central harbour, we’ll be met by our coach. Before going to our hotel, you will have the chance to see the picturesque sites and attractions of this prosperous city on the North Sea.

Day 16: Tuesday, 26 June
This will be day to experience the countryside north of Aberdeen. Along our itinerary today will be a visit to Balmoral Castle, a favourite royal residence, and Lochnagar distillery to taste some of their famous single malt scotch.

Dinner this evening will be particularly special as we relive memories of the past two weeks.

Day 17: Wednesday, 27 June
Our coach will take us to Aberdeen’s airport to meet our flight, with connections to our home cities.