In response to many requests, another tour to Scotland is being offered in 2008. Join us for our twelfth visit to this scenic, proud land. Enjoy a varied itinerary that is unique, fascinating and educational...

Highlights of the 2008 Scotland Tour - July 4th-19th, 2008

Always a popular itinerary, this is the twelfth time this tour has taken place, with visits planned to match your interests.
This trip has garnered many repeat participants.
Accommodation in Edinburgh, Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, in comfortable, locally-owned hotels with ensuite facilities.
British Heritage Pass for 15 days.
Small group. Maximum of 20 participants.

Workshops with members of the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers.
Private visits with talented craftspeople: knitters, weavers, spinners, a basket maker, jewellery and textile designers, mills.
Opportunities to explore your interests: music, bird watching; nature walks; museums and galleries; archaeological sites; crafts & culture.
Relaxed time for knitting.
Much, much more!

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Here's the exciting itinerary:

Day 1: Friday, July 4th
Our tour starts in Edinburgh, at our hotel - Channings, centrally located and within walking distance of famous Princes Street. On arrival at the hotel, maps of Edinburgh will be distributed to give you an orientation of this stunning, historic city and its many attractions.

There will be time to rest at the hotel or take a stroll prior to our informal reception before dinner. This will be an opportunity to meet and chat with fellow tour members and to talk about plans for our unique trip.

At this time, Calum Macnee, popular manager of Rabbies Tours, will join us to answer your questions about Scotland. Calum's presence at our reception has become something of a tradition, and previous tour members have very much enjoyed his overview of politics and daily life, and the opportunity to ask him questions. In past years he has planned day tours to gardens, castles and touring, especially designed for the interests of our group.

As a result of requests from participants of previous tours, the following two days have been planned for you to take advantage of unscheduled time in Edinburgh and surrounding area. Your tour escort will be available to accompany you on your explorations.

Day 2: Saturday, July 5th
If you spend the day in Edinburgh, one suggestion for this free day is to use your British Heritage Pass for entry to most of the museums and famous sites. Edinburgh Castle is a must for first- time visitors, followed by a walk down the Royal Mile. Don't miss the stunning Museum of Scotland and walk down Victoria Street (which is little changed from Victorian times). Bill Baber's knitwear store in the historic Grassmarket is well worth a visit, as are the small shops in the area. An alternative could be to take an optional day trip, perhaps to the Borders area or to some of the Scottish sites included in The Da Vinci Code.

Day 3: Sunday, July 6th
An additional free day to further explore the city or to take a day trip in the surrounding area, either on your own or as part of a tour. Perhaps go to Glasgow, just one hour away by train.

Day 4: Monday, July 7th
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll be met by our coach for transfer to the Edinburgh airport. Our flight is on Loganair, Scotland's national airline, 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. Shetland has been voted the third most desirable island in the world by a panel of 522 travel experts organized by the National Geographic Magazine.

Near the airport, we will visit the archaeological sites of Jarlshof and Old Scatness Broch (probably a defensive fortification) and an 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 has woven the cloth for the costumes worn by the staff.

Designer and knitter Doreen Brown is also nearby and we'll visit her studio before arriving at our hotel in Lerwick, the very comfortable Kvelsdro, Our first stop in Lerwick, Shetland's capital, 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 help and suggestions to start knitting your Fair Isle and Shetland lace projects.

After dinner at the hotel, you can take in the exhibition of Shetland Crafts and Culture held at the community centre of Islesburgh House. This is the 51st 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 5: Tuesday, July 8th
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. Your tour escort will give you an overview. No doubt you'll want to stop at Jamieson's, producers of the Simply Shetland yarns. Their retail outlet is on Lerwick's main street and their mill is located in the West Mainland.

In the late morning, we'll meet our coach to visit nearby Scalloway, the first capital of Shetland. We'll have lunch at the Fisheries College, where Shetlanders come to study in a number of fields associated with its maritime location, fisheries, oceanography, ship maintenance. After lunch we'll visit the tiny Scalloway Museum with its memorabilia from the Shetland Bus heroism of World War II.

We'll stop to meet Wilma Malcolmson at her studio. Wilma is widely acknowledged as an expert in colour selection and she has a wide selection of both hand and machine knitted garments.

Before returning to Lerwick, another highlight of past tours is our visit to the home of Jimmy Work, talented basket maker. Mr. Work is an octogenarian and is featured in the book Scotland's Crafts, which showcased the best of Scotland's craftspeople. He has promised to have a selection of his baskets available for you to purchase, and will also give us a demonstration of his basket making skills. His wife, Mary, frequently has beautifully hand-knitted articles for sale.

Day 6: Wednesday, July 9th
In the morning, one of the many talented members of the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers, will meet us at the hotel for a workshop in the intricacies of Shetland lace.

Your afternoon is free to practice the fine points of lace knitting, or revisit the shops. A must is the Shetland Museum, which was opened in summer 2007 by the Prince of Wales and the Queen of Norway.

An option today or on Friday:
Depending on the 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 learn about the many birds which stop there on their migratory paths. There is a small museum of Fair Isle knitting.

Day 7: Thursday, July 10th
After breakfast, another member of the Shetland Guild will meet us for a demonstration and workshop of Fair Isle knitting. You will no doubt admire their speed and extreme talents, and see how they use their traditional knitting belt and double-pointed pins.

Your afternoon 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. Tour members from past tours have thoroughly enjoyed this cruise

Day 8: Friday, July 11th
The tour includes visits to museums and craft studios A free morning with lots of options. In the afternoon is another tour favourite is scheduled: 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.

Day 9: Saturday, July 12th
After breakfast, our coach will take us back to Sumburgh Airport and our Loganair flight to nearby Orkney. Our hotel in the capital of Kirkwall is the Ayre. Before dinner at the hotel, Blue Badge Guide Kim Foden will provide insight into Orkney's history which spans many centuries.

Day 10: Sunday, July 13th
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 11: Monday, July 14th
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.) The talented members of the Orkney Craftsmen's Guild will have an exhibition during our stay.

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. We'll also 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.

Another 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 a maximum of 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 12: Tuesday, July 15th:
There will be one last chance to enjoy the sights of Kirkwall before we leave Orkney in the late morning for Lewis, one of the islands of the Outer Hebrides.

Ceud Mille Failte...A Hundred Thousand Welcomes to the Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles.
We are fortunate to be on Lewis during their annual Hebridean Celtic Festival.

After checking into our hotel in Stornoway, the Caberfeidh, we'll meet Joan Morrison, our popular Blue Badge Guide from previous tours. Joan will accompany us and will enrich our travels, providing an interesting commentary on the Hebrides with their strong Gaelic traditions.

Day 13: Wednesday, July 16th:
Shetland Pony Today is our opportunity to visit the Isle of Harris, not actually a separate island, but joined with Lewis by a narrow peninsula.
Visits today:

Weaving shed of Katie Campbell, traditional Harris tweed weaver. Katie will give us a demonstration, and you can purchase lengths of her woven goods and yarn;
Margaret MacKay, of Soay Studio, in Tarbert. Margaret will show us her dye pots and explain the mysteries of the local plants she uses to produce the remarkable range of colours in her yarns;
Chris and Bill Lawson at the visitor centre called Seallam, home of the exhibition, Co Leis Thus?, Gaelic for "Who Do you Belong To"--a common phrase in the Hebrides. The Lawsons are welcoming and informative hosts, and have written books about the genealogy and history of the Hebrides.
Donald John MacKay, designer of the Isle of Skye tartan. His weaving shed is located overlooking the beautiful beach of Luskentyre. Donald John demonstrated his weaving talents at the Tartan Week Show in New York City last April.

Day 14: Thursday, July 17th
Your morning is free to visit downtown Stornoway, within easy walking distance of our hotel.
In the afternoon, we'll explore Lewis and Joan Morrison will rejoin us to enhance our travels. Some of our stops:

the most northerly point of the Hebrides, the Butt of Lewis, and an opportunity for stunning photos;
Calanais Standing Stones, a prehistoric site of Neolithic Standing Stones. This stunning setting of lunar significance is older than Stonehenge, and the most visited site in the Western Isles;
Borgh Pottery (pronounced Borve) and its selection of quality items made by local craftspeople;
Morven Gallery which features paintings by local artists and a selection of Alice Starmore's sweaters and designs;
Blackhouse Museum. A traditional Lewis thatched house.

Day 15: Friday, July 18th
Another free morning. In the afternoon, we will visit Shawbost Mill, with its wide choice of woven yard goods and the Coast Guard Station, responsible for marine rescues over a wide area.

A special evening has been organized for dinner with a community group and a Ceilidh, a memorable time during our stay in the Western Isles and a special way to end our Scottish travels.

Day 16: Saturday, July 19th
After breakfast, our coach will take us to Stornoway's airport for our flight to Glasgow and connecting flights to our home cities.

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Read a PDF article about the Scottish Skeins and Skerries Tour which appeared in
"SHIRL THE PURL'S KNITTERS NEWS". Click Here

Note: You will need the free PDF reader to view the article. We apologize for slight layout and transcription inaccuracies in the PDF reproduction of the article, despite these it is still very readable and informative.
Thanks to Shirley Scott for allowing the reproduction of her excellent chronicle of the trip.

Specialist Counselor on Travel to Scotland

Photo credits: With thanks to The Orkney Tourist Board, Patricia Hathaway, Mary Morrison, Shetland Museum,
Scottish Tourism Board, Shetland Islands Tourism.