Scotland/Shetland Wool Week 2025
Sept 23 - Oct 5, 2025
Scotland/Shetland Wool Week 2025 Tour
Join us for the Scotland/Shetland Wool Week 2025 Tour, an unforgettable thirteen-day adventure from September 23 - October 5, 2025. This trip begins in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and the picturesque village of Ullapool, where we spend our first night. En-route we visit Prickly Thistle HQ Mill, Scotland’s only B Corp Mill for a private tour to learn about their skills and methods used in textile production. We will take a stroll through the beautiful Leckmelm Gardens, visit Carbisdale Castle and finish it off with a wee dram at Glenmorangie Distillery.
Then onto the archipelago of Orkney, with its beautiful sand beaches and towering cliffs. While here we will visit 5,000 year old Neolithic UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and Skara Brae. We will have private lectures and tours at the Loft Gallery and Hilary Grant Studio where we learn about contemporary knit-wear designs unique to the area, with patterns inspired by the sea and island way of life. We will also spend one night in the charming village of Stromness, with its old historic waterfront homes and galleries.
From Orkney we will take the overnight ferry to our final destination, the amazing Shetland Islands for Shetland Wool Week 2025 Tour, full of great classes, tours, and lectures that folks have pre-registered for. Travelers will be staying in renovated historic homes all located within downtown Lerwick, in order that we all remain close yet have the freedom to wander and explore all Wool Week has to offer at our own pace.
This tour promises to be a captivating experience that appeals to textile lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike.
Please note: Due to the high demand and popularity of this trip, enrollments will be accepted based on the date Pre-Registration forms were submitted, so don’t delay in registering!
“I can honestly say that I returned home with more than just yarn, mementos and fiber related goodies stuffed in my suitcase…it’s those special memories made from sharing all of what this ‘Priceless’ trip offered.”
Diana
“Thank you for planning such a wonderful Shetland Wool Week program, it really made the whole experience more navigable …. and I enjoyed every moment of it!”
Linda
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Shetland Wool Week 2025
This 7 day event is hands-down the most extensive and engaging fiber event in the world, with classes, tours, and lectures located throughout the islands.
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Historic Mainland Scotland
Explore Carbisdale Castle, Leckmelm Garden, Prickly Thistle HQ MIll, with a wee dram at Glenmorangie Distillery.
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Cultural Richness in Ullapool
Discover this charming fishing village in the Highlands renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, rich heritage, and vibrant culture.
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Neolithic Orkney
Visit 5,000 year old Neolithic Unesco World Heritage Sites including Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness and Skara Brae.
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Cosmopolitan Kirkwall
Explore the ancient Norse Capital of Orkney, a cosmopolitan city known for its fascinating history, culture, and art as well as the legendary St. Magnus Cathedral.
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Shetland Nature Adventures
Explore the magic of the Shetland Islands from the northern tip of Hermaness south to Sumburgh Head with day excursions by Elegant Ewe Travel.
Activity Level 2: Moderate
This is the majority of our tours, with a balance of time spent on sedentary activities, such as sightseeing on the bus and attending classes or lectures, and physical exertion. The more strenuous activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and paragliding, are often optional, with other less exerting activities or free time, making this tour suitable for most fitness levels. Travelers participating in the more strenuous activities need to be able to walk up to 3-4 miles, or 2-3 hours, over uneven, sometimes hilly terrain with a day pack. There will be some early morning starts and late day finishes.
Scotland/Shetland Wool Week 2025 Tour
Dates: September 23 - October 5, 2025
This trip is not yet open for enrollment - sign up for the pre-registration list!
Please note: Due to the high demand and popularity of this trip, enrollments will be accepted based on the date Pre-Registration forms were submitted, so don’t delay in registering!
Early Arrival Option (Monday, September 22, 2025)
Arrive a day early to acclimate and explore the Highland Capital of Inverness. This is an independent option and not part of the tour, hotels will be recommended.
Day 1: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 – Arrival in Inverness, Ullapool
After meeting up at the Inverness Airport and a quick tour through town, we head to the charming fishing village of Ullapool located on the west coast of the Highlands, where we will spend our first night. En-route we will visit the Prickly Thistle HQ Mill, Scotland’s only B Corp Certified Mill, for a lecture and tour. We will visit the 12 acre arboretum of Leckmelm Garden with its rare trees, rhododendrons, azaleas and winding paths to the ocean. And then a welcome group dinner and overnight stay at the Royal Ullapool Hotel.
Day 2: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – Ullapool to Orkney
Our first visit is the historic mansion of Carbisdale Castle, a true gem in the landscape of Sutherland in the Highlands, the last castle built in the British Isles in 1907 for the Duchess of Sutherland. It’s rising turrets and commanding hilltop location amidst 2,000 acres of Carbisdale Forest can only impress. After we enjoy our afternoon tea we will head to the Glenmorangie Distillery for a wee dram. Then on to Scrabster to board the ferry for Orkney, where we will spend the next two nights at the Kirkwall Hotel.
Day 3: Thursday, September 25, 2025 – Italian Chapel, Loft Gallery, St Magnus Cathedral
Today we cross the Churchill Barriers and visit the beautiful Italian Chapel, built in 1945 on the island of Lamb Holm out of two Nissen huts by Italian Prisoners of War - an amazing work of art! Then to St. Margaret’s Hope for a visit to the Loft Gallery, a Craft Producer’s Cooperative since 1978, for a demonstration and talk to learn about their unique knitting patterns and the famous North Ronaldsay yarn. On our return to Kirkwall we will visit and tour one of Orkney’s most impressive landmarks, the amazing St. Magnus Cathedral, founded in 1137 in the Romanesque style, and the most complete medieval cathedral in all of Scotland - truly an impressive fortress! Tonight - group dinner and overnight at the Kirkwall Hotel.
Day 4: Friday, September 26, 2025 – Brough of Birsay, Skara Brae, Skaill House, Stromness
Today we visit the tidal island of Brough of Birsay to explore Pictish and Viking settlement remains. Then to the neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, the best preserved group of prehistoric houses in all of Western Europe! While there we will tour Skaill House, filled with artefacts belonging to generations of Skaill lairds. Tnoight - group dinner and overnight at the Stromness Hotel.
Day 5: Saturday, September 27, 2025 – Hilary Grant Studios, Standing Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Overnight Ferry to Shetland
This morning we have leisure time to shop in the charming galleries in Stromness or explore one of the many walks in the area. In the afternoon we will visit the textile design studio and knitwear factory of Hilary Grant Studios for a bit of inspiration. Then on to the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar, a Neolithic henge and stone circle, part of the Unesco World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Tonight - group dinner in Kirkwall and overnight ferry to Shetland!
Day 6: Sunday, September 28, 2025 - Arrival in Lerwick, Begin Wool Week Activities
This morning we will awaken in the magical Shetland Islands. On arrival we will be met by our private bus and transferred to our lovely downtown homes, all historic, recently renovated and within walking distance to major Lerwick venues. Once settled in we are free to explore all Shetland Wool Week has to offer, including Opening Ceremonies.
Day 7 - 12, Monday, September 29 - Friday, October 3, 2025 - Shetland Wool Week 2025
Travelers begin their Shetland Wool Week program based on what they preregistered for, including an expansive array of classes, tours and lectures located throughout the islands. Limited seating will be available on Elegant Ewe Travel Excursions held daily, weather dependent.
Day 12, Saturday, October 4, 2025 - Last Day in Shetland, Overnight Ferry to Aberdeen
This morning we all board our private bus and bring our luggage and belongings to the Lerwick Ferry Terminal. We then have the day for further exploration and to attending the Makers Market. In the afternoon we will meet and board the overnight ferry for Aberdeen.
Day 13: Sunday, October 5, 2025 – Arrival in Aberdeen and transport to airport for departures
After the overnight ferry ride to Aberdeen we will be met at the ferry terminal and transported by private bus to the Aberdeen Airport for flight departures back home.
Note: While we strive to follow the itinerary, changes may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
“Thank you for organizing such a wonderful trip! I really stepped out of the box to travel on my own, but from the moment I met everyone, I felt welcomed and included … a trip I will fall back on with wonderful memories of new friends, beautiful scenery, and a lot of sheep, ponies and yarn!”
Melonie
The cost of the 13-day, 12-night Scotland/Shetland Wool Week 2025 Tour is $4,995.00
Included in the price:
All accommodation (based on double occupancy)
All breakfasts on mainland
4 group dinners
1 afternoon tea
Guided tours and activities including entrance fees while in mainland Scotland
Transportation via ferry and bus during the tour
Guide and driver tips
Taxes and service charges for all included services
Transfers to and from the airport
NOT Included in the price:
International Airfare
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, snacks, and any other personal expenditures
Wool Week attendee expenses including classes, lectures, tours, transportation to events during wool week
SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS:
Single supplements are available at an additional cost but are very limited and can not be guaranteed at time of sign up:
Single supplement on Mainland Scotland: $550
En-suite private room with bath while in Shetland: $650
Single room with shared bath while in Shetland: $400
All deposits and payments are non-refundable if the trip is cancelled for any reason. Elegant Ewe Travel highly recommends trip insurance for all excursions. To purchase, contact our friend Sandy at Sandy@pennypitoutravel.com.