Scottish Skeins & Skerries
May 17th to June 2nd, 2002 
with Joyce James, CTC
and Shirley Scott
Read a report from a
participant on this trip. Click Here )

New Tours for 2005
Click Here

Join us for the seventh memorable trip through the scenic beauty and historic charm of Scotland.

As a member of this unique escorted tour to Edinburgh, Shetland, Orkney, the Isle of Skye, and the Hebridean islands of Harris and Lewis, you have many opportunities to take part in activities selected to appeal to your interests in knitting and the textile arts--a wonderful blend of sightseeing, cultural activities and leisure. Nor have we forgotten friends and companions whose major interests are not textile-oriented. Many alternative activities are available.

This fully-escorted tour includes: trans-Atlantic and domestic flights; accommodation in twin-bedded rooms; Scottish breakfasts and dinners each day; transportation by private coach; local taxes; gratuities and service charges; luggage porterage.

Photo Credit: Eva Lambert's studio, Shilasdair on the Isle of Skye

Rare opportunities are provided to meet local craftspeople, members of textile guilds and knitting cooperatives, knitwear designers, and woolen mills. One of the many highlights of the trip will be a private talk and presentation by Alice Starmore. Shirley Scott, popularly known as ‘Shirl the Purl’ will be coming this trip and has designed a special pair of gloves for our group project. Yarn for the project will be supplied and you can choose your colours when we visit Jamieson & Smith on Shetland.

For non-knitters, activities and visits to other sites will be arranged, as time and interests permit: for example, archaeological sites, golfing, fishing, bird watching; and of course, some famous Scotch whisky distillers

To view and print a Registration Form, CLICK HERE

Daily Itinerary

DAY 1: Friday, May 17th

Departure from Toronto on our flight to Glasgow - the beginning of a unique itinerary and a memorable visit to Scotland.

Day 2: Saturday, May 18th

Morning arrival at the modern Glasgow airport.  A private coach for the short journey to the welcoming Channings Hotel, in Edinburgh, where we are staying for the next three nights. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or to explore the city on your own. This evening, there is a special welcome reception and dinner to meet your fellow travellers and discuss our plans for the next two weeks.

Day 3: , Sunday, May 19th

This is your opportunity to explore historic and beautiful Edinburgh, either as part of a tour or on your own.  Your tour leader will be available to answer questions and make suggestions for activities.

You may wish to ride on the local tour bus, called Guide Friday. This service by double-decker bus offers a guided tour through Edinburgh, highlighting many points of interest, and it also provides you with bus transportation for the day.
 

Day 4: Monday, May 20th

Another chance to continue your exploration of the city - walk, shop, browse or visit the outstanding museums and galleries.

Day 5: Tuesday, May 21st

After breakfast at the hotel, we board a non-stop flight of Logan Air, Scotland's national airline, to the Shetland Islands, the "crossroads of the northern seas'.   Located between Scotland and Scandinavia, these islands share the character of both. Friendly people, stunning scenery, migratory bird observatories and archaeological sites make this area a special place.

For the next four nights, our hotel in the capital, Lerwick, is the Shetland Hotel, centrally located opposite the ferry terminal and conveniently located next door to Jamieson & Smith, also known as the Shetland Wool Brokers.  Our visit to Jamieson & Smith is a wonderful introduction to the famous Shetland yarns.  Oliver Henry (known as "the wool man") will discuss the different breeds of Shetland sheep and the handling of Shetland wool from fleece to yarn.  There will also be an opportunity to chat with members of the family, knowledgeable staff and to choose your yarn for our special tour project.

In the evening Shirley Scott will tell us about the gloves she has designed for our project.  Look forward to an evening of knitting and fun!

Day 6: Wednesday, May 22nd

Your morning is at leisure for a visit to the Lerwick town centre, little changed from a century ago. In addition to some shopping, you may wish to visit the Shetland Museum, which has extensive displays of the archaeology, social and marine history of the Shetlands, as well as exhibitions of local contemporary art.

In the afternoon, our coach will meet us for the short trip to Scalloway, former capital of the Shetlands. We will visit the Scalloway Museum, which chronicles the history and heroism of those who took the 'Shetland Bus' during World War II.

After dinner, we will be fortunate to visit Isleburgh House, for a memorable evening of Shetland culture and traditions, and an opportunity to hear live fiddle music.

Day 7: Thursday, May 23rd

Today we explore the southern part of the mainland. Along the way we visit the Crofthouse Museum, a restored family croft; the knitwear studio of Wilma Malcolmson, one of Shetland's foremost hand-framed knitwear designers.

Lunch is at 'Da Warp & Weft', a community museum and tearoom, which serves tasty homemade food.

An optional cruise, conducted by Shetland Wildlife Tours has been arranged for the late afternoon. This memorable cruise, led by an ornithologist, will circle the nearby island of Noss, which is a national nature reserve and offers a special opportunity for a close-up view of the birds which nest there. The company won the Scottish Thistle Award in 1999, given by the Scottish Tourist Board as a recognition of their commitment to the environment and local wildlife. The cruise is limited to a maximum of twelve participants. The charge is £25.00 per person.

After dinner, arrangements have been made to visit a new shop called 'Fibres' and speak with the young owners and designers.

Day 8: Friday, May 24th

Today is one of the highlights of the tour, both for those staying on the mainland and for the group visiting Fair Isle.

Our first visit is to Weisdale Mill, home of the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.  This will be an opportunity to chat with guild members and to view their collection of antique Shetland lace and Fair Isle garments.  We will also be able to see the Guild's collection of antique Shetland crafts.  In the afternoon, we will meet  members of the guild for a workshop.  They will also bring spinning wheels and show us how to use the traditional knitting belt.

Before lunch there will be time to visit Jamieson's Mill, formerly the processors of Alice Starmore's Broad Bay yarns, who now produce their own Jamieson Soft Shetland yarns.

Lunch will be at the Burrastow House, known widely for its outstanding cuisine. The co-owner and chef Bo Simmons has written a cookbook called "A Taste of Burrastow - Seasons in a Shetland Kitchen".

Burrastow House

For those who wish to visit Fair Isle today, please look at the details for May 22nd. 

Day 9: Saturday, May 25th

This morning is at leisure in Lerwick, with an opportunity for some last-minute shopping.

We depart in the early afternoon for the 35-minute flight to the Orkney Islands, where we will stay for the next three nights. 

There is no better introduction to the rich history of these unspoiled islands than this evening's presentation at our hotel, given by professional guide and local historian, Kathleen Hogarth.  Kathleen's family has lived on Orkney for several generations, and her knowledge of the history and culture of the Orcadian islands will greatly enhance your stay.

Day 10: Sunday, May 26th

Kathleen will be our guide for the day.  Among the many highlights will be visits to the archaeological sites of Skara Brae, a Stone Age village dating from 3,000 B.C. and Maes Howe, reputed to be the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe and built before 2,700 B.C.  We will also visit the harbour at Scapa Flow and the Churchill Barriers.

Craftspeople have not been forgotten and we will stop at the studios of jewellery makers and the designer, Stephane Jaeger.  Formerly from France, Stephane will welcome us to her workshop and gallery.

A reservation has been made for the group at Highland Park distillery, the most northerly distillery in the United Kingdom, for a tour and 'sampling'.

Day 11: Monday, May 27th:

This is your free day on Orkney. You may wish to visit the historic port of Stromness, former port of the Hudson Bay Co. ships during the last century, with an interesting museum, bookstore and galleries; one of the outer islands, accessible by ferry; or just relax in town.  Your tour leader will have suggestions and travel advice.

Be sure to visit St. Magnus Cathedral, founded in 1137.  It is reputed to be one of the finest and best preserved medieval cathedrals in Scotland.

Any of our travellers who have Orcadian roots will want to visit the Family Heritage Centre, which is very helpful in locating family connections. Your tour escort will have suggestions and travel advice.

Day 12: Tuesday, May 28th

We will have an early breakfast at our hotel before leaving for Inverness, scenic capital of the Highlands.  There will be time for a brief visit in Inverness, before taking our Loganair flight to the Hebridean islands of Harris and Lewis. Our hotel for the next three nights is in Stornoway, capital of the Western Isles.

Day 13: Wednesday, May 29th

Scheduled for today is a coach trip to Harris with a local guide.  Two of the many highlights today are visits to the weaving shed of Katie Campbell, traditional Harris tweed weaver and dyer Margaret MacKay of Soay Studio, who will tell us about her use of native plants which produce the range of remarkable colours in her yarns.

Along the way, our guide will provide an interesting commentary on the history of the Hebrides with their strong Gaelic traditions.  We will visit the new visitor centre called Co Leis Thu? (translated from Gaelic to mean "Who do you belong to?", a common phrase in the Hebrides.) which provides genealogical and historical resources for the Western Isles.

Day 14: Thursday, May 30th

Today will be especially memorable.  Alice Starmore will meet us for a private talk and demonstration, followed by a question and answer period.  She has promised to give us knitting advice and will also have a selection of her knitting packs with her new line of yarns for sale.  This will take place at Morven Gallery, which displays paintings by local artists and a selection of Alice's sweaters and designs.

Before returning to our hotel, we will travel via the beaches of the western shore and walk around the prehistoric Calanais Standing Stones, older than Stonehenge and the most visited site in the Western Isles.

Day 15: Friday, May 31st

Before taking our flight to Glasgow, there will be time in the morning for a relaxed visit in Stornoway - perhaps the civic art centre for lunch or just enjoy the view over Broad Bay.

Day 16: Saturday, June 1st

Today is your free day in Glasgow.  Our hotel in Glasgow is centrally located, making it very convenient to visit the many sights of this exciting city - its architecture is among the finest in Europe.  In 1999, the city was designated UK City of Architecture and Design.  You will no doubt wish to visit the outstanding displays of the Burrell Collection and the home of Charles Rennie Macintosh, Scotland's renowned architect.

Day 17: Sunday, June 2nd

After breakfast at the hotel, our coach will take us to Glasgow airport for our return flight to Toronto and connecting flights to our home cities.

To view and print a Registration Form, CLICK HERE

CMH TRAVEL INC.
#2, 1000 - 7th Avenue
Canmore, AB
T1W  2S9
Canada
Tel: 403-678-6366
Fax: 403-678-6307
Toll-free: 1-877-678-6366
email CMH Travel Inc: cmhtc@telusplanet.net

Joyce James, CTC
e-mail Joyce James: knitting@joycejamestours.com
Tel: 403-678-3861
Fax: 403-678-3871

( go to top )

photo credits: Joyce James, Shetland Museum, Scottish Tourism Board, Patti Hathaway

J o y c e   J a me s  T o u r s
Email: knitting@joycejamestours.com
Tel: 416-928-6071
www.joycejamestours.com