Join us for a wool-loving, whisky-sipping journey through Scotland’s most iconic landscapes. From the historic streets of Edinburgh to the wild beauty of Skye and the Highlands, we’ll trace the threads of Scotland’s rich fiber traditions—visiting yarn shops, meeting talented makers, exploring ancient castles, and touring a working woolen mill. There’ll be yarns to squish, lambs to coo over, castle ruins perched over lochs, cozy hotel lounges perfect for knitting, and plenty of hearty Highland fare along the way. And yes—a dram or two. We’ll enjoy a guided tasting, tour a celebrated distillery, and raise a few glasses in some very well-stocked bars.

Along the way, we’ll also indulge in Scotland’s finest sweet offerings—from crumbly squares of tablet to hand-crafted chocolates tucked away in village shops (sticky toffee pudding is sure to make an appearance). And for those feeling especially daring, there may even be a chance to sample Scotland’s most beloved bright-orange enigma: Irn-Bru.

Expect sweeping views, great company, dramatic landscapes dotted with sheep. It’s going to be a wool-wrapped, dram-filled, castle-climbing, tablet-tasting, Irn-Bru-curious Scottish adventure!

 To Register 

A Registration Form and a non-refundable $1000 deposit are required to join the trip. Once you submit your online registration and deposit payment is received, your spot on the tour is secure. See our Terms & Conditions HERE.

Have questions? Please contact us at info@rowantreetravel.com

This tour has been announced as a "Go!" Unless otherwise stated, our regular Terms & Conditions apply to this trip and for any cancellations.

Mobility Comfort Level = 3+ 

A significant amount of walking happens in Edinburgh, but we can assist people in booking taxis if needed. Stairs during castle visits are to be expected.

Review our Tour Activity and Mobility Comfort Levels here.

Travel Insurance 

Rowan Tree Travel highly recommends purchasing travel insurance. You may purchase through our preferred partner Arch RoamRight by clicking here or through your own provider.  (*Arch RoamRight is an affiliate of RTTF and we will receive a small commission for policies bought through the provided link.)

Arranging Your Flights 

In order to gather easily for the tour, we provide an arrival and departure "window" at a major transportation hub - typically an international airport at your destination country. Flights scheduled outside the provided windows may result in additional transportation costs and missed tour activities. For this reason, we greatly appreciate your cooperation in booking travel that accommodates our specifications. 

Please Note the Following Rowan Tree Travel reserves the right to alter any part of this itinerary in order to address weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances or to improve the participant experience.

Welcome to Scotland! 

Welcome to Edinburgh, or as she is affectionately known: "Auld Reekie” herself! Our Scottish adventure at our historic hotel, where we will meet before setting off together for a stroll down the Royal Mile toward Holyrood Palace—the official residence of the monarch in Scotland and a place steeped in intrigue, architecture, and a healthy dose of tartan flair. After exploring the palace and its storied grounds, we turn our attention to the local fiber scene with visits to two delightful yarn shops, each offering their own take on color, texture, and Scottish charm.

In the late afternoon, we’re joined by a special guest from Scotland’s fiber publishing world for a private talk, followed by an elegant food-and-whisky pairing at a lovely townhouse venue. There’s no better way to kick off the tour than with good yarns, good yarn, and even better company.

Loch Lochy
Today we bid farewell to Edinburgh and head north into the Highlands, trading cobblestones for heather-covered hills. Our first stop is a small family-run farm where a lively herd of mohair goats provides soft, silken fleece—and plenty of personality. We’ll get a close-up look at how this specialty fiber is raised and spun, with time to admire (and maybe adopt) a skein or two.

Time allowing, we may also detour for a visit to one of Scotland’s grandest ancestral homes—complete with turrets, weaponry halls, lavish interiors, and tales of both royalty and rebellion. Set against a backdrop of forested hills and formal gardens, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to cast on something regal.

From there, we continue on to our peaceful lochside lodge, where pine trees frame the water and the air smells like fresh adventure.

Isle of Skye

Onward to the Isle of Skye! Along the way, we stop at a bakery with irresistible smells and an even better view, followed by time for photos of the stunning landscape along the way. Once we cross the bridge to Skye, we check into our island accommodations before heading out for a visit to Dunvegan Castle, home to centuries of clan history. We wrap up the day with a mix of stops showcasing island-raised fiber animals, sheepskins, and locally dyed yarns. 

Isle of Skye

This morning, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of a renowned dyeing facility on the Isle of Skye, where nature and tradition meet in every skein. We’ll learn how locally gathered plants—such as heather, bog myrtle, alder, and meadowsweet—are foraged and used to create the studio’s signature palette of soft, natural hues. The process is deeply rooted in place, and the results are both earthy and luminous. Each guest will receive a bespoke knitting kit featuring the studio’s beautifully hand-dyed yarns, curated just for our group.

In the afternoon, we make our way to Portree, Skye’s postcard-perfect harbor town. Enjoy free time to explore its shops, cafés, and seaside views—or simply find a cozy perch for a bit of knitting with a view.

Speyside

We bid farewell to Skye and begin our journey back to the mainland, starting with a stop at one of Scotland’s most iconic castles. Perched on a small island where three lochs meet, this dramatic fortress has been the backdrop for centuries of history (and more than a few films). You’ll have time to explore the grounds or simply soak in the views—camera highly recommended.

As we continue our drive northward, we follow the winding shoreline of Loch Ness, pausing at especially scenic spots to stretch our legs and snap some photos. Keep your eyes peeled—whether for a mythical creature or just a particularly photogenic patch of mist. By afternoon, we arrive at the ruins of a once-mighty stronghold overlooking the loch, where we’ll take a tour and let the dramatic setting do the rest.

From there, we head east to a small Highland town with a proud tailoring tradition, where we’ll visit a workshop that’s been suiting up Scots for generations. After lunch, we continue on to our welcoming hotel in whisky country—just in time to relax, knit, or raise a glass before dinner.

Pitlochry

We begin the day in Speyside at a remarkable working woolen mill, operational since the late 18th century. This atmospheric mill still runs its original Victorian machinery—from waterwheel-powered carding to spinning and weaving looms—delivering a genuine glimpse into Scotland’s wool heritage.

After touring the mill, you'll have the chance to browse the on-site shop, which stocks small-batch hand-spun yarns, woven throws, scarves, and other woolen delights—all made from local fleece, spun and dyed right on-site.

Following our mill visit, we’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch at a scenic riverside inn in the heart of whisky country—complete with local malt selections and hearty fare.

In the late afternoon, we journey south to our charming two-night retreat perched above Pitlochry, boasting fireplaces, comfy lounges, and peaceful river views—ideal for knitting, relaxing, and raising a toast to a well-spun day.

Pitlochry

Today is all about creativity, calm, and a bit of buttoned-up brilliance. We stay tucked into our cozy hillside retreat as we dive into a Dorset button workshop led by a much-loved instructor known for her wit, warmth, and colorful teaching style. No experience necessary—just nimble fingers and a willingness to try something new.

The workshop is split into two relaxed sessions, with a light lunch in between. Whether you finish one perfectly round masterpiece or go full creative chaos, it’s all part of the fun.

In the evening, we gather for a leisurely dinner at the hotel, raising a glass to quiet productivity, newfound skills, and the joy of learning something old in a beautiful new place.

Edinburgh

We begin the day with a visit to a storied Highland distillery known for its honeyed single malts and deep roots in Scotland’s whisky heritage. Located beside a scenic stream once prized for its purity, this beautifully restored site offers an immersive look at traditional whisky-making—from copper stills to aging casks, with plenty of rich aromas and golden samples along the way. Following the tour, we’ll enjoy a beautifully prepared farm-to-table lunch on the premises, featuring seasonal Scottish ingredients and a few surprises from the local larder.

With spirits lifted and appetites satisfied, we begin our leisurely journey toward the coast—but not without detours. Along the way, we’ll pop into a selection of beloved village sweet shops and bakeries, including one famed for its pastries and shortbread. If you’ve yet to try tablet, now’s your chance. There may be chocolate, there may be fudge, and there will definitely be something wrapped in wax paper and worthy of sneaking into your suitcase.

In the afternoon, we arrive in a postcard-perfect seaside village to visit a charming and contemporary yarn studio tucked into a cobbled lane. With natural fibers, soft hues, and designs that speak of sea air and quiet craft, it’s the perfect final fiber stop of the journey.

We then return to Edinburgh for our final night together—suitcases a bit fuller, projects underway, and maybe just one more dram before bedtime.

Edinburgh

It’s time to head home—with new friends, new skills, calorie-laden goodness to share, and perhaps a suitcase gloriously full of wool. 

Liz lives with her family on a smallholding in the Cambrian mountains in Wales.  A keen knitter since childhood, she remembers watching her mother spin yarn from the family sheep, and she now keeps her own small flock of Shetland sheep to indulge her passion for all things woolly. Liz is also a keen hill walker, and loves to escape to her beloved mountains, seeking inspiration amongst the colours and textures of the wild upland landscape of mid-Wales. A linguist and Latin America specialist by training, Liz previously spent many years studying and travelling in southern Chile, where she was bewitched by the alchemy that rural women could perform with some roughly-spun wool and a few leaves in a dye pot over a wood fire. It was here that Liz learnt to weave, and now settled back home in Wales, she teaches weaving, whilst also running wildwoven, a woolly fair trade business, providing opportunities for rural women in Chile to supply highly-textured, hand spun yarns to discerning weavers and fibre artists. 

Sydney is a knitter, spinner, crocheter, dyer, and felter. She loves to explore how different local cultures work with fiber.  At one time Sydney managed Quail Hill Farm including sheep for fiber and meat as well as pigs, goats, horses, donkeys, too many cats and dogs, plus various types of poultry. She took her sheep wool from shearing to dying, using her own dye plants, to spinning to knitted garments.  Sydney grew up in NYC and Switzerland and is fluent in French, Italian, and German. She worked for many years as a French teacher and mentor in Waldorf Schools. Before that she worked as a financier on Wall Street and she now uses those skills for strategic planning at Rowan Tree.