Book this delightful trip, created for those in mind who love hiking the wild outdoors, rugged and remote nature, and exploring heritage, stories, and island life on the way – and, of course, love knitting!
Ever wanted to combine knitting with a hiking adventure? Join our NEW knitting and walking tour in the Scottish Hebrides!
Loved by artists for their colours, shapes and textures, the glittering Hebridean landscapes and dramatic coastal scenery will inspire your zest for hiking as well as your knitting designs. Meeting local wool producers, artisan weavers and artists make this trip an active, engaged and immersive experience.
Hiking along rugged cliffs, across green pastures dotted with sheep and white sandy beaches we come across unexpected historical sites to add interest and understanding of island life; Victorian gardens, Kilmartin’s Bronze Age stone circles and Scotland’s ancient and fabled early Christian sites on Iona among these.
In your small group of fellow creatives guided by our talented expert knitter Pauline Craig you’ll collect lasting memories and develop your knitting and design skills as you sharpen your eye for the awe-inspiring details in the Hebridean landscape.
We meet in Glasgow at a prearranged meeting point around 10 am heading north along famous lake Loch Lomond and into the Highland mountains. Our first walking break near the north end of Loch Lomond takes us onto Scotland’s famous West Highland Way for a scenic picnic lunch on top of a rock with grand view. The journey continues west arriving in the lively fishing port Oban to catch the ferry to the Isle of Mull.
*Driving 3 h, Ferry 1 hour, walking/ exploring 2 hours/ Overnight Isle of Mull
The western shores of Mull are a remote landscape created by a heavily indented coastline and imposing cliffs. Old oak and hazel forests line the many coves and beaches. The path takes us over green pastures to ruined old crofting settlements where we may sit a while waiting for an otter or spot one of Mull’s famous white eagles.
In the afternoon, join Pauline for a first workshop.
*Walking 8km, 4 hours, easy/ Overnight Isle of Mull
Sanna Beaches line the shores of Britain’s mainland most westerly point on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. This stunning location amoung the sand dunes and white beaches is the home of Sanna Croft, a farm which produces natural wool and yarns from their own Shetland sheep. We are much hoping to be able to arrange a visit.
An idyllic afternoon coastal walk explores coves, hills and beaches for inspiration to bring to our evening workshop.
*Sea journey 2 x 35 mins, walking 8 km, 3 hours/ Overnight Isle of Mull
This morning we head south to the Ross of Mull to visit the Ardalanish Weavers where on only two looms the weavers use organic wool from their own Hebridean, Shetland and Manx sheep. We witness a story from sheep to tweed and marvel at the gorgeous natural colours or local plant derived shades. We find out about the farming of sheep, producing and sorting the wool, creating natural dyes and yarns, keeping the machinery of the looms and the weaving itself.
After lunch we follow the urge to explore the farm’s beautiful surroundings and the lovely beach may well entice you to a swim.
Then we head west to catch the evening ferry to Iona.
*Walking 8km, 3 hours/ Overnight Isle of Iona
Rarely does one find such idyllic scenery combined with significant historic monuments:
Scotland’s most important early Christian historical monument is Iona Abbey. Founded by St Columba along with 12 monks in the 6th century Columba undertook the task of christianising Scotland. There are 12th century ruins, artful Celtic crosses and the well restored and quite special building of the Abbey to explore.
However, wild and white sandy beaches await, green meadows and the blooming machair, turquoise water for swimming and a miniscule hill for a gigantic view … topped off by a visit to Iona Wool.
*Easy walking as you like/ Overnight Isle of Iona
Leaving Iona and heading back across Mull we board the morning ferry back to Oban.
We explore the green landscapes of Kilmartin Glen, home to one of Europe’s richest prehistoric sites: amazing standing stones, burial cairns and stone circles take us back 6000 years of human history. And there is also the surprising and well camouflaged ancient Fort Dunadd, the original seat of the first Scottish kings and heart of the foundations of Scotland as a nation.
Our hotel tonight is adjacent to the magnificent Arduaine Gardens full of exotic colourful and fragrant plants from around the globe and with a stunning view down the coastline to the Island of Jura.
*Walking 3 hours 6km, Ferry 10 mins each journey, Drive 2 hours/Overnight Argyll Coast
Louise will host us in her bright and colourful studio and demonstrate her design process where she turns sketches and ideas from her walks around Kilmartin glen and beyond into beautiful woven tapestries. We will have an opportunity to see her current work in progress and to discuss with her our own ideas and designs we have had along our journey.
Our last walk takes us into the hillside above Kilmartin Glen where we find the most extensive prehistoric rock carvings in the UK – intricate and abstract designs of cupmarks and rings. As so often with prehistoric sites here we are also blessed with wonderful views south to the Isle of Jura and Arran.
We continue south along the shores of Loch Fyne, passing the 18th century town Inveraray with its elegant Inveraray Castle.
*Walking 1 hour, 3 km, Driving 3 hours, Arrival in Glasgow around 17:00 hrs
Watch Louise and Ardalanish on the Gaelic BBC series on craft artists in Scotland
For all our tours we choose small, cosy island Hotels for comfort, en suite bathrooms, friendliness and excellent Scottish cuisine.
This trip covers 3 different locations, the Isle of Mull, the Isle of Iona and the Argyll Coast and we have chosen authentic 3 star accommodation for our guests: the much loved guesthouse on Mull Druimnachroish for 3 nights, the following 2 nights in the delightfull Argyll Hotel on Iona with its cosy rooms, delicious food and lovely sea views and the luxurious Loch Melfort Hotel for our last night.
Please note that prices are based on 2 sharing. We always match guests wishing to share with other group members with same sex, of course. If however, you prefer single room accommodation then please let us know. Supplement are available from £225.
Our groups are of a personable size of no more than 8 persons and accompanied throughout by an experienced and knowledgeable guide who will do her/ his best to make your time with us in Scotland interesting, enjoyable and comfortable.
The hiking on this trip is designed for people with a good general level of fitness and mobility. We hike on good trails but also some rough, rocky and uneven paths. You should be sure footed, have good balance and be used to regularly walking on unpaved tracks .
You may like to concider bringing some walking poles.
Our itinerary lists distances and elevation for each day. If you are unsure, please contact us and we are happy to discuss any issues.
To book this trip you should be able to hike on uneven terrain (please see above for walking info) and possess basic knitting skills such as casting on and off, and using knit & purl stitches.
Book this delightful trip, created for those in mind with a sense of curiosity who enjoy hiking the wild outdoors, rugged and remote nature, and exploring heritage, stories, and island life on the way – and, of course, love knitting!
Scotland’s intricate Atlantic west coast has been sculpted into a spectacular landscape by deep fjord-like sea lochs with green beautiful islands surrounded by the alpine mountains of mainland Highlands, a dramatic seascape and home to a wide variety of wildlife.
The West Coast was once a busy seafaring route and home to Scotland’s first people who left many traces of their culture, some up to 5000 years old, in the valleys, along the shore and on hilltops. Later, in the 5th century, the first Scottish Kings arrived from Ireland establishing their Kingdom of Dalriada. St. Columba settled on the tiny island of Iona around the same time and undertook the Christianization of Scotland. To this day, Iona is the spiritual home of a thriving ecumenical community and the lovingly restored Abbey in its remote coastal setting is a feast for eye and spirit.
The Hebrides offer superb opportunities for wildlife: look out for sea eagles, gannets, guillemots and otters, sit among the delightful puffins on their rock in the sea and hike along ruggedly beautiful coastal paths meandering between mountains, sea and sky accompanied by a myriad of seabirds.
For those with an interest in history, our journey takes us past traces of the islanders’ past livelihoods and circumstances that led to the famous ‘clearances’, we discover magnificent bronze age stone circles and more recent monastic monuments and explore the re-emergence of traditional wool production.
For your comfort, we have chosen and tested good quality, cosy and warmly hospitable 3-star accommodation in hotels and guesthouses. The local pub is an excellent place to celebrate your day’s adventures in the evenings – with delicious ale and good food in the company of your group of fellow travellers.
You’ll be hiking and knitting (not both at the same time!) in a small group of no more than 8 which allows flexibility and a friendly, personal ambience. You are accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable guide and expert knitter who will endeavour to make your holiday a wonderful and enjoyable experience.
To book this trip you should be able to hike on uneven terrain (please see below for walking info) and possess basic knitting skills such as casting on and off, and using knit & purl stitches.
