Knitting in the Scottish Highlands

This morning we will enjoy our first knitting workshop with Carol, starting on your fair isle and lace techniques in the round project. This afternoon a walking tour of Inverness with a local guide is planned. Our guide will show us the highlights including Inverness Town House, Inverness Castle and its views over the city, the Victorian Market, home to quaint boutique shops, and St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

A visit to the Scottish Highlands would not be complete without a visit to the famous Loch Ness. We will take a coach to Clansman Harbour where we will board a boat for a cruise along the mysterious waters of Loch Ness. There will be the opportunity to hop ashore for a 1-hour visit to the iconic Urquhart Castle and discover its historic and turbulent past. Returning to Clansman Harbour, we'll have some free time for lunch before continuing to Achpopuli Farm. At Achpopuli Farm, Katherine, farmer and maker, will introduce us to her sheep and talk about fleece, from which she creates wool, dyed with natural ingredients, as well as woven, spun. felted and knitted items. There'll also be the opportunity to purchase some of her products too!

Today you will have a full-day workshop with Carol.

This morning we will meet Tania Ashton Jones, a Dorset Button Maker, designer, tutor, podcaster and hand knitter. Now living in the Isle of Skye, her creative business TJFrog aims to contribute to keeping alive the traditional skill of the handmade Dorset Button. At the hotel enjoy a Dorset Button – a variety of stiches workshop. This workshop will cover the basic techniques of Dorset Button making and explore how to include a variety of stitches such as chain stitch and French knots using different weight yarns. You will then be able to use these techniques to make your own personal Dorset Buttons and Dorset Button brooches.

We will also have a visit from Helen Lockhart, owner of Ripplecrafts, a dyer based in the Scottish Highlands. She will be joining us this afternoon to give us a talk about her work, her inspiration and some of her techniques. There will also be the opportunity to purchase some of her yarns!

Today we will visit the Alpaca Farm Shop in Moray, the Knockando mill and enjoy some wool shopping in the town of Nairn. Whilst on our visit to the Alpaca Farm shop, we will be taken to see the female Alpacas and their young. Whilst they do not spin their own fleeces into yarn here, they will give us an insight into the processes that are involved.

After some coffee and cake, we will drive to Knockando Woolmill which sits in the Spey Valley. Here you’ll find contemporary designs woven alongside traditional tweeds and classic woollen blankets, all of which are produced with the same traditional skilled craftsmanship. Enjoy an introductory tour here finding out the social history of the Mill and the production and restoration processes. Before returning to the hotel for the evening we will stop in the town of Nairn for some shopping.

Today you will have a full day workshop with Carol and enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow knitters this evening.