Knitting & Hiking In Shetland
2026 Tour
See What's Included
- Deposit Due immediately to secure your place on the trip
- Final Payment due 4 months prior to the trip starting
Paid in two separate instalments.
OPTION 2 - Private Room
- Deposit Due immediately to secure your place on the trip
- Final Payment due 4 months prior to the trip starting
Paid in two separate instalments.
OPTION 1 - Twin Room
Price
Booking Closed
22nd - 29th July 2026
24th - 1st July 2026
20th - 27th May 2026
JULY
JUNE
MAY
2026 Tour Dates
This popular tour is truly is a great opportunity to explore Shetland in an authentic way and relaxed pace.
This tour includes a combination of some of the finest coastal walks in Shetland with some of the best local guides and knitting classes led by expert Shetland tutors.
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. All with the locals, like locals
Explore Shetland in an authentic and relaxed pace
See What's Included
Trip Highlights
- 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 Jamieson & Smith where we will learn about the art of wool sorting and grading
- A circular walk in Eshaness, Shetland's ancient volcano
- A walk in Culswick
- A visit to Sumburgh Head Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
- A visit to the world-famous archaeological site of Jarlshof
- A natural wool dyeing class with Donna Smith
- A Fair Isle class with Donna Smith
- A Shetland lace class with Elizabeth Johnston or Anne Eunson
- A Fair Isle yoke tips class with Janette Budge
- Ella Gordon‘s knitwear collection trunk show
- An introduction to the history of Shetland textiles and knitting talk by Dr Carol Christiansen
- Excursions to many Shetland spectacular places and areas of interest such as Northmavine, South Mainland, Westside or Bressay
- Many Shetland yarn and knitwear shopping opportunities
- In our first class of week, Donna will guide us through the traditional techniques used in Fair Isle knitting. We'll create a small project - either a mug cosy or a coaster.
- We'll cover key skills such as knitting in the round, working with two colours at once, corrugate rib, and steeking.
- In the afternoon, we'll take a walk around St Ninian's Isle. This iconic coastal route begins by crossing the UK's largest active sand tombolo - known locally as an "ayre" - which connects the mainland to the isle. As we follow the circular path, we'll take in dramatic cliffs, seabird colonies, offshore stacks, sweeping sea views, and low wildflower-covered hills that capture the essence of Shetland's wild beauty. Toward the end of the walk, we'll explore the ruins of a 12th-century chapel, once a sacred site where an 8th-century Pictish silver hoard was discovered.
Westside, Jamiesons, A Culswick Walk, Jamieson & Smith & Ella Gordon's Knitwear Trunkshow
DAY 3
- 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 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.
- In the afternoon we will enjoy a wonderful 3-hour walk in Culswick. Culswick is a truly stunning little corner of Shetland and in addition to walking along some fine coastline we will also have an opportunity to visit another broch.
- We will then head back to Lerwick and we'll stop briefly at Jamieson & Smith Shetland Woolbrokers to stock up on yarn.
- To finish our day, after a delicious home-cooked dinner, we'll meet Ella Gordon and learn about her fabulous vintage Shetland knitwear collection.
Fair Isle Class and St Ninian's Circular Walk
DAY 2
We'll gather at 6pm for a welcome dinner - a chance to get to know each other go over our itinerary and talk about the days ahead.
After dinner we'll enjoy an introduction to Shetland textile heritage and tradition. Bring your knitting with you!
Arrival & Welcome
Day 1
Full Itinerary
*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.
- In the morning, we'll enjoy a natural wool dyeing with Donna Smith. Natural dyeing is a slow and fascinating process that begins with gathering plant material - such as dock, nettles or rhubarb, which grows readily on Donna's croft. The plants are then simmered for several hours and left to cool overnight before the yarn is added to the dye bath. In this hands-on class, we'll experiment with plant dyeing ourselves and explore the gentle alchemy behind natural colour.
- In the afternoon, we will head to Northmavine, home to some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Shetland. We’ll take a walk at Eshaness, a dramatic stretch of coast shaped by the force of the North Atlantic. The cliffs, blowholes, sea stacks and narrow inlets - known locally as geos - are the remnants of a long-extinct volcano and tell a fascinating story of Shetland's geological past.
Northmavine, Eshaness Ancient Volcano & Natural Wool Dyeing with Donna Smith
DAY 5
- On this day we will travel to Britain's most northerly island, Unst - a place rich in Viking history and striking natural landscapes. The Hermaness circular walk is a paradise for wildlife lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, with dramatic cliffs, thriving seabird colonies and some of Shetland's most spectacular coastal scenery.
- We'll enjoy a packed lunch during the day.
- In the event of poor weather, we'll take a shorter, more sheltered route - a scenic walk from Sandwick to Framgord.
Unst and Hermaness National Nature Reserve Circular Walk
DAY 4
- We'll start the day with a traditional Shetland lace class led by Anne Eunson, who comes from many generations of Shetland lace knitters and is renowned worldwide for her Shetland lace knitted fence.
- In Anne's class you can choose to knit a small Shetland lace sampler or wall hanging, selecting either a simple or intricate pattern to suit your skill level.
- After the class, we'll take a short ferry crossing from Lerwick to Bressay to visit Chris Dyer's Garths Croft, where we'll see Shetland sheep in all their natural shades. Chris, an archaeologist as well as a crofter, will then lead us on a 1.5hr walk exploring Shetland's rich landscape and archaeology. With other 6000 years of human history, Shetland is truly an archaeological paradise.
- On our final morning, we'll focus on another technique - Fair Isle yokes - with knitwear designer Janette Budge. In her Fair Isle Yoke Tips class, Janette will share expert advice on blending colours and shaping yokes in traditional Fair Isle knitting. It's a wonderful change to refine your skills or get any questions answered.
- Afterward, we'll enjo a final lunch together before your transfer to the airport.
- Free afternoon to shop or visit the Shetland Museum & Archives at your leisure.
Shetland Lace with Anne Eunson, Bressay and Garths Croft for Learning to Read Shetland Landscape
Fair Isle Yokes with Janette Budge
DAY 7
DAY 8
- In the morning we will travel to the isle of Burra, home to Donna Smith. Our visit begins at Donna's croft.
- Lunch at Donna's
- Followed by the Shades of Shetland class. Inspired by the colours and hues of the Shetland landscape, Donna will guide us in knitting a traditional Fair Isle swatch using a photograph and a matching yarn palette drawn from the local scenery.
- In the afternoon we'll head to the South Mainland for a walk to Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and Nature Reserve, one of Britain's most accessible seabird colonies. Here, we'll witness the spectacular sight of thousands of seabirds, hopefully inclduing puffins, fulmars, guillemots and shags. The lighthouse itself was designed in 1821 by Robert Stevenson, a member of the famous Stevenson family of lighthouse engineers and grandfather of author Robert Louis Stevenson.
Burra and Shades of Shetland with Donna Smith, Sumburgh Head Lighthouse & National Nature Reserve
DAY 6
*Please note that travel to and from Shetland is not included in the price.
- Seven nights accommodation in a centrally located, fully renovated townhouse in the historic centre of Lerwick.
- Daily breakfasts, packed lunches, teas/coffees 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
- Deposit Due immediately to secure your place on the trip
- Final Payment due 4 months prior to the trip starting
Paid in two separate instalments.
OPTION 2 - Private Room
- Deposit Due immediately to secure your place on the trip
- Final Payment due 4 months prior to the trip starting
Paid in two separate instalments.
OPTION 1 - Twin Room
Tour Details
For more information please email Info@shetlandwooladventures.com
CONTACT
The walks range in length from 2-5 hours (5-8km). Our routes generally include some hills and possibly walking close to cliffs and the participants are expected to be generally fit and in good physical condition. The terrain can be uneven and the ground can be wet. Although walking in Shetland does not include a significant elevation gain the conditions can sometimes be challenging and the weather can be fairly changeable.
WALKS - IMPORTANT!
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 groups 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.
GROUP SIZE
Details & Important Notes
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, fish and dairy - as part of the experience.
