Another tour

This week is the second of the August textile tours, and what an engaging group we have again. 

Eight of us in a mix of Austrian, German and Swedish visitors have been travelling around exploring the unique sights of Shetland. All against a backdrop of sunshine, we were lucky to get a glimpse of the Swan, Shetland's historic sailing boat restored in the 1990's to recapture the bygone days of sail, and the very 21st century sport of parkour being practised outside the library in Lerwick! We have seen the knitwear factories, museums and heritage centres, and spent time admiring Sumburgh Head lighthouse. On Friday we were on the Wastside where a chance discovery of lunches in the local church brought us Reestit Mutton Soup, a local speciality made from salted, dried mutton boiled together with carrots and potatoes to make a strong but mouthwatering and hearty lunch. Along with a bannock and then cake, this sustained us on our way to see even more of the textile industry of the islands!

Enquiries for next year's tours started coming in a few months back; dates will be announced in October. If you fancy a trip northwards to see the islands, get in touch. We think 2017 will be an even better year if 2016 is anything to go by!