Shetland/Scotland Wool Week 2023 Tour
All I can say is - Thank you! You kept us all going and cared for, allowing us to embrace the journey in our own way. I am so grateful to have been a part of it, and hope to be able to join another journey with both of you...........................................Linda D, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thank you both for an amazing experience!..................................................Ann G, Scotland/Shetland 2023
This trip far exceeded my expectations. Thank you for including me in this wonderful trip....I look forward to joining you on another excursion someday!.....................................................Janet S, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thank you both for an amazing experience!..................................................Ann G, Scotland/Shetland 2023
This trip far exceeded my expectations. Thank you for including me in this wonderful trip....I look forward to joining you on another excursion someday!.....................................................Janet S, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Day 1: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 -- After our arrival in Edinburgh, we met our guide and friend Adriana Boffa and driver Stewart and headed to the Scottish Borders, with its beautiful rolling hills, Cheviot and Scottish Black Faced sheep, and....castles and gardens. We started with a lovely visit to Floors Castle and Gardens. The Castle was build by the 1st Duke of Roxburghe in 1721 and has been in the family since then. The 8th Duchess of Roxburghe was Mary Innes-Ker, an American-born heiress who was responsible for important interior modifications and its impressive collection of furniture. The tapestries from Belguim were also impressive, as well as the walled garden. The estate itself covers 52,000 acres of agricultural land along the famous Tweed valley. We ended our visit with a lovely high tea.
After tea we headed to The Great Tapestry of Scotland, housed in Galasheils. These impressive panels, 160 in total, cover more than 420 million years of history. They are the longest in the world, were worked on by volunteers from Shetland to the Borders, and finished in 2013. After this lovely visit, we drove through the hillside to the Peebles Hydro Hotel - our lodging and location for our group dinners for the next two nights
Day 2: Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 -- Today we headed south to the lovely Jedburgh Abbey. Located just a mere 10 miles from the border with England, it was founded around 1138 by King David and the Bishop John of Glasgow and is one of the most complete in Scotland. The abbey was occupied by Augustinian canons for over 400 years and was built to impress, which it still does today. We also learned about the history of the Border Reivers as well as the importance of wool in both weaving and kilt making.
Then on to Dryburgh Abbey, another of the great Scottish Border Abbeys, and probably the most beautiful. It was founded in the mid 1100s but due to its close location to England, suffered many devastating attacks and irreparable destruction. The sustained attack in 1544 proved to be the final blow and the Abbey never recovered. It became a private home, then a romantic ruin and garden, and most importantly, the burial place of not only David Erskine and Field Marshal Earl Haig, but Sir Walter Scott himself.
Then on to the beautiful Melrose Abbey. This Abbey was founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks and became one of the wealthiest monasteries in all of medieval Scotland. The fine detail in its masonry proved to be a great inspiration for our next visit, the wonderful home of Abbotsford, designed and built by Sir Walter Scott.
And what an amazing place, the favorite stop of the day - the house and walled gardens have undergone extensive renovations and are beautiful. Not only was Scott one of the greatest historical novelists of all time, he was also a renowned antiquarian and collector, and that is clear as you wander through the house. Our guides were delightful and had many stories to tell. We then drove through the borders for another group dinner and gin tasting at our lovely hotel, the Peebles Hydro.
Thank yo so very much for our journey, I loved all of it! Scotland has been a dream of mine since 1978 - you have given me a wonderful journey for my dream!..................................................................Linda D, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thank you both for an amazing experience!...........................................Ann G, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Awesome trip!!!!.............................................................................Susan M, Scotland/Shetland 2023
The entire trip was extremely well planned and Amy and Marci were excellent leaders! Communication before and during the trip was just right and I really appreciate the responsiveness of these two!.........................Janet S, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thank you both for an amazing experience!...........................................Ann G, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Awesome trip!!!!.............................................................................Susan M, Scotland/Shetland 2023
The entire trip was extremely well planned and Amy and Marci were excellent leaders! Communication before and during the trip was just right and I really appreciate the responsiveness of these two!.........................Janet S, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Day 3: Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 -- Today we left the border area and headed through the beautiful countryside for a day tour around Edinburgh. On the way we stopped at Rosalyn Chapel, founded in 1446 by Sir William St. Clair, it took 40 years to complete, although never fully completed. The architectural details are intricate and the stories around the chapel intriguing.
In Edinburgh we had a lovely private bus tour. At this point folks went their separate ways, some of us heading to the Holyroodhouse Cafe and then tour of the Castle and Gardens, some shopped the Royal Mile, and some went to the lovely Dovecote Studio. Tonight we stayed at the Voco Hotel in Haymarket and several of us dinned at one of our favorite restaurants, First Coast just down the road.
Day 4: Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 -- Today was our last day on the mainland of Scotland. We left Edinburgh and headed to Aberdeen. Along the way we stopped for a stroll in the lovely town of Culross in the county of Fife. Culross is known for its history of coal mining, its lovely Abbey ruins, and the filming of scenes in Outlander.
From there we headed to another Outlander film location, the town of Falkland and visited the Falkland Palace and Gardens, a Royal Retreat for the Stuarts. We toured the Keeper's bedroom and dressing room, the Chapel Royal, where Mary Queen of Scots frequently worshiped (and is used for services today), the amazing Tapestry Gallery with its beautiful Flemish tapestries, circa 1600, the King's room, and of course the lovely gardens and oldest tennis court in Britain, built in 1539 for James V.
And then off to St. Andrews, where we saw the university, its famous golf courses and beach, and then a lovely lunch at Forgan's St. Andrews. Our drive from there took us along the eastern coast of Scotland to Aberdeen, where we boarded our overnight ferry for Lerwick.
Day 5: Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 -- Today's arrival in Lerwick was lovely after a fairly easy ferry crossing. Some folks were renting cars, others were met by our private bus hire and brought to their homes in various locations around Lerwick. After a brief orientation session, folks were free to head to the Shetland Wool Week Hub at the Museum and Archives, explore town, shop, and dine, great fun for all!
Day 6: Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 -- While some folks were in classes, others in lectures and on tours, Amy lead a downtown tour of Lerwick to see the sights and shop, and Marci attended a traveling photo safari, riding along with designer Elizabeth Johnston - and what great discussions, from fiber and design, to riding Icelandic horses, and Shetland boats, what vast knowledge and experience. At the end of the day, many of us attended the opening ceremonies with music, lots of fashion, and quiz show. Then home to bed to rest up for the next day's activities.
Day 7: Monday, Sept. 25, 2023 -- While some folks were in classes, others in lectures and on tours, some of us headed to downtown for a little shopping. We visited a couple of the 'pop-up shops' including Marie Bruhat and her knitting machine, and Eve Eunson, where we learned about the making of Fair Isle chairs.
Then a quick tour of Fort Charlotte. We stopped into Jamieson and Smith to see the new 5-ply Gansey yarn which is lovely! Then we headed out of town to Cunningsburgh to see one of our favorite Shetland designers - Wilma Malcolmson of 'Shetland Designer', where we spent time learning about her design and color inspiration as well as - shop!
Then to the Knab for a wonderful afternoon stroll from Dutchman's Leap all the way to Bain's Beach and Jimmy Perez's house. We then attended an afternoon lecture by Janette Budge on the late Shetland knitter and designer Bella Tait at the Textile Museum, whose collections are extensive and very impressive. And then on to another lecture by the designer Helen Robertson and her historian nephew. We learned more on the history of Shetland and its knitting culture as well as sources for her own design inspiration.
Day 8: Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 -- While some folks were in classes, others in lectures and on tours, Marci and Amy, headed north west to Eshaness for a lovely coastal walk among the cliffs. Then on to Ollaberry to catch up with knitting friends and see this year's lovely knit wear on display - and sample the home bakes. Then a drive back to town for more lectures at the Shetland Museum and Archives.
Day 9: Wednesday, 27, 2023 -- While some folks were in classes, others in lectures and on tours, Marci and Amy led their yearly pilgrimage tour to the northern island of Unst to hike in the Hermaness Nature Reserve to view the Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, the most northernly lighthouse in the UK, then from the Neap to Saito Gannet colony - always impressive.
Then we headed to the Heritage Center to visit with the local knitters and view their impressive lace display. Then to the Victoria Tea room for - coffee! The replica Viking longhouse is just around the corner and next to it is the Skidblander, a full size replica of the Gokstad, a longship from the time of Harald Fairhar, a Viking ruler thought to have visited Shetland and whom Haroldswick is named after. The remains of over 60 longhouses dot the area, with 3 of them being excavated - this was clearly more than just a stopping point for Vikings traveling from Scandanavia to Greenland and Newfoundland. And no trip to Unst would be complete without a photo stop at Bobby's Bus Shelter, this year's theme being this summer's visiting tall ships.
Thank you so much for organizing this trip. I would absolutely consider traveling with you again! Maybe I can even drag my husband along next time......................................................................................Cindy K, Scotland/Shetland 2023
It was a wonderful trip, I enjoyed every minute!.........................................Collen L, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thank you for all your work planning this trip. I have many fond memories of my time in Scotland and Shetland!
Melanie O, Scotland/Shetland 2023
It was a wonderful trip, I enjoyed every minute!.........................................Collen L, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thank you for all your work planning this trip. I have many fond memories of my time in Scotland and Shetland!
Melanie O, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Day 10: Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 -- While some folks were in classes, others in lectures and on tours, Marci and Amy headed with a group to the southern tip of Shetland, Sumburgh Head. On the way we stopped at Jarlshoff, a prehistoric archeological site and Norse settlement with more than 4,000 years of human habitation in the same location. First settled by Neolithic people around 2700 BC, it remained in use to around 1600 AD. It has the remains of oval Bronze Age houses, an Iron Age broch and wheelhouses, Norse long houses, a medieval farmstead, and a laird's house dating from around 1500.
We then headed next door to the Sumburgh Lighthouse, the first and largest Stevenson lighthouse in Shetland, built around 1819. After that we took the scenic drive north, towards Bigton. Our first stop was to see the seals at Sandy Beach, then another visit to the lovely St. Ninian's tombolo. Then to our final destination of the day - Scalloway, the capital of Shetland until 1708. And what history it has! After lunch at the Scalloway Hotel, we headed over to the Scalloway Museum where we learned not only about the history of the Shetland Bus but the importance of wool production and the roles that women played in the history of Shetland.
Day 11: Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 -- While some folks were in classes, others in lectures and on tours, Marci and Amy headed out with a group to Burra for some hiking, visiting and shopping fun. Our first stop was at the Red Houss Jeweler to see Mike and Gil, where Mike's jewelry and prints are always a big hit. From there we stopped to see Dave at the Out Post and his collection of Wallabies and JuneJune pigs and learn about the work he does. Our next stop just down the road was to see Wendy at Burra Bears, always a lot of fun - we can't wait to see the next series of 'Shetland', since some of the filming took place at Wendy's house. And then for a bit of hiking fun, we headed to Minn Beach on the south end of West Burra for what turned out to be a rather wet walk, cut short when the hail started. Which made the cakes and coffee at the cafe in town taste even better. After a full day of fun, some of us attended the dinner and music performance in Bigton, very entertaining!
Day 12: Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 -- Our last day in Shetland! Today started with our move out - our hired bus met us at our individual homes and assisted us with the gathering of luggage, which we brought to the ferry terminal. From there we were dropped off at either the Museum and Archives or at the Anderson High for the Makers Market - and what fun was had by all! And while some folks were still attending classes and lectures, the rest began to wind down at the Shetland Museum and Archives for a lovely session of storytelling and great fiddle playing. We then all met at the Northlink Ferry Terminal for our overnight journey home.
Day 13: Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 -- This morning after a rather uneventful ferry ride, we were met by our private hire bus and taken to the airport where folks said 'Goodbye' and headed onward to their various locations.
Thank you for being part of my journey through life...............................Linda D, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thanks, Marci and Amy, for organizing this trip. We had a great time, everything ran so smoothly, loved seeing Scotland for the first time; Shetland is beautiful and Wool Week was just very special............................Mary P, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thank you for a wonderful experience............Louise A, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thanks, Marci and Amy, for organizing this trip. We had a great time, everything ran so smoothly, loved seeing Scotland for the first time; Shetland is beautiful and Wool Week was just very special............................Mary P, Scotland/Shetland 2023
Thank you for a wonderful experience............Louise A, Scotland/Shetland 2023