Cost (not including airfare to/from US):

$4850.00 per person (double occupancy)

Single Supplement: $1125

Includes:

- Airport Transfers to/from Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

- Hotel Accommodations

- Some Meals & Beverages (as indicated in the itinerary)

- Knit & Sits: Time everyday to work on your own fiber art project of choice

- A Private Knitting Workshop led by designer Di Gilpin

- Entrance & Speaker Fees

- Transportation by private bus

- All Tips/Gratuities for guides, drivers, hotel staff (as indicated in itinerary)

- Dedicated Tour Host from Sunlight Tours

Does not Include:

- International Airfare*

- Some meals and beverages (as indicated by the itinerary)

- Incidentals/personal expenses

- Any passport/visa fees not already indicated in itinerary

- Travel insurance**

- All other services/gratuities not mentioned as included

Trip Notes:

*We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will arrive/depart at Edinburgh Airport (EDI).

**Travel Insurance is highly recommended. As a way to help protect your trip experience, Sunlight Tours offers travel insurance options through our trusted travel partner, Yonder. Free quotes and special group rates are available. Please contact us with any questions.

Non-refundable deposit required for this trip: $500

Other payments due: first half payment is due by March 14, 2025 and final payment is due by June 14, 2025. Airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

Cash/Check/Credit Cards accepted.

*meals provided listed in ( )

DAY 1 Sunday, September 14:

We depart from various locations around the US to fly into Edinburgh (EDI).

DAY 2 Monday, September 15:

We arrive in Edinburgh! Depending on our arrival schedule, we will have lunch together and tour a few of the sites around Edinburgh. One of the oldest fortified sites in Europe is the Edinburgh castle. We will visit the castle for a guided tour this afternoon. After checking into our hotel and resting a bit, we will head out for dinner. Overnight at Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh. (L, D)

DAY 3 Tuesday, September 16:

After breakfast at our hotel, we will visit Holyrood Abbey and the National Museum of Scotland. We will stop for lunch along the way before heading to the Holyrood Distillery Tour. We end our touring day at Kathy’s Knits to visit with the owner and with designer Lucy Hague, from Orkney, who creates patterns and has written specialist books such as Celtic Cable Shawls and Illuminated Knits. Overnight at Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 Wednesday, September 17:

This morning you will have options for free time before we meet for lunch to hear from Susan Anderson. Susan is the owner of Scottish Journal of Yarn and author of the Scottish Bred Farm to Yarn Map. Later this afternoon, we will do some private shopping and have a demonstration at Ginger Twist Studio. Owner Jess hand dyes her own yarns. Sip Prosecco, work on your project and shop at your leisure! Dinner out will follow. Overnight at Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 Thursday, September 18:

After breakfast, leave Edinburgh to head up the eastern coast to St. Andrew’s. We will visit the St. Andrew’s Castle and have lunch before heading on to visit Balmerino Farm. Owner Rachel Crawford will teach us about her sustainable practices for raising sheep and maintaining habitat for the ecology of the area. Rachel’s sheep are being bred and raised for their soft and hardy wool. Rachel will have yarn from her unique sheep available for purchase. After our visit to the farm, we will head to Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 Friday, September 19:

Today we visit designer Di Gilpin at her workshop. Di is a specialized knitwear designer. She has collected Gansey patterns from fishing villages along the coast to preserve their history. Di will lead us in a workshop. Then we will head next door to visit Milli Abrams, owner of Tribe Yarns. Milli is a knitwear designer with a very specialized yarn store. The day includes lots of time to work on projects, shop and learn. Overnight at Apex City Quay Hotel Dundee. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 Saturday, September 20:

After breakfast at our hotel, we head out to visit Jillian McEwan, owner of Lunan Bay Farm. Jillian is working to re-introduce cashmere goats to the Scottish textile market. Her farm is also conducting research on developing sustainable practices that preserve the land. We will have time to wander to the castle ruins located on her land and even take a Sea Dip into the ocean, if we are brave enough! Our day includes a farm-to-table lunch, time in the gardens and a visit with the goats. Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 Sunday, September 21:

Today, we leave the coast to see the spectacular views of the Cairngorms National Park. Spend a little time in nature and enjoy this beautiful part of Scotland. We end our day in the village Pitlochry. Overnight at Fisher’s Hotel in Pitlochry. (B, L, D)

DAY 9 Monday, September 22:

Today, we will jaunt around Pitlochry; a beautiful little village nestled along the River Tummel. After breakfast, you will have the day to freely wander, shop, hike, nap, and/or fiber art it up! Don’t forget to find a lovely spot to sit and knit for a time today (like you need reminding;)). Lunch is on your own, but we gather again for an evening meal. Overnight at Fisher’s Hotel in Pitlochry. (B, D)

DAY 10 Tuesday, September 23:

We head back to the south today with a tour of Stirling Castle. After lunch in Stirling, we will visit the Kelpies, a pair of monumental horse heads made to honor the role of horses in the history of Scotland. We will end our day in Edinburgh with time to visit St. Mary’s Road for a little authentic Scottish shopping and the Scottish Textiles Showcase. Overnight in Edinburgh. (B, L, D)

DAY 11 Wednesday, September 24:

Today is the day we depart. Flights are out of Edinburgh (EDI) for home.