Lunan Bay Farm
Lunan Bay Farm, Angus
Lunan Bay Farm enjoys a serene setting on the beautiful Angus coastline. The regenerative farm specialises in cashmere goats (no, we aren’t kidding) and rear the UK’s largest herd. Cashmere is traditionally sourced from across the globe and processed in Scottish mills, but Lunan Bay Farm utilise this natural fibre and are the first homegrown Scottish cashmere producer in 30 years.
You can shop their exquisite yarn and products or even visit the farm to get up close and personal with the goats themselves! They run frequent workshops, events and experiences for all the family, from their iconic Goats in Coats Festival in Easter to cashmere goat therapy retreats. This all takes place alongside their Goat-Getters outreach programme, where the farm gets involved with the local community to share the benefits of goats and agriculture for wellbeing.
Carmont Valley, Aberdeenshire
Situated in the northeast of Scotland just outside of the coastal village of Stonehaven, this sheep farm specialises in producing wool and fleece from their pedigree Lleyn and Texel sheep. They gather wool from the yearling ewes, also known as ‘gimmers’, guaranteeing new soft fleece produce.
As well as being a great spot to pick up some quality yarn for your latest knitting project, they also host courses using their own materials including felting and rug making. If that’s not enough, you can join an educational tour of the farm - it’s a working farm, which makes it an incredibly fascinating spot to visit if you’re interested in exploring farm life in Scotland.
Rainbow over Glen Affric
Wild Rose Escapes, The Highlands
Head to the Highlands of Scotland and immerse yourself in the landscapes and creative craft heritage of the region with a Wild Rose Escapes retreat. With a stunning view out to Glen Affric and close to Loch Ness, they run a range of retreats from residential craft weeks to weekend craft courses.
The idea is to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with traditional crafts and techniques by learning a whole process, such as learning about fleece, making natural dyes and trying your hand at spinning. Their weekend courses cover everything from natural dyeing and eco printing to felting, batik and shibori. If you’re looking for a longer break, why not incorporate the crafts element into a relaxation retreat – combining creative pursuits with yoga, walking, storytelling, foraging, delicious food and more.
Beirhope Farm alpacas
Beirhope Alpacas, Scottish Borders
The production and use of Scottish wool has deep historical roots, but one of the more modern introductions on the scene is Scottish alpaca wool! It is often softer than wool from sheep and also has hypoallergenic qualities.
At Beirhope Alpacas in the Scottish Borders, you can have the chance to meet these gentle animals as well as pick up some of the beautiful, sustainable alpaca wool and gifts on sale at the Barn at Beirhope. They offer a range of activities where you can get to know the alpacas and make the most of the rolling countryside of the Borders, from taking them out on a trek or stroll to meeting them for a ‘paca picnic’!
Hebridean Isles Trading Co. - Island at the Edge, Isle of Skye
Drawing on the historic crofting and craft traditions of the islands, Hebridean Isles Trading Co. are a specialist producer of yarns and tweeds from their native flocks of Hebridean and Black Cheviot sheep. The farm also sells Skye woven tattersall and herringbone tweed and make their own products and knitwear, including traditional Fisherman’s Ganseys.
If you’re looking to learn from the real experts about all things Scottish knitting, then this is the place for you. They run traditional knitting courses on the croft including Gansey knitting, Intarsia, Fair Isle and Aran, catering to all levels of skill and expertise. Combine this with a croft tour or ‘crofter for a day’ experience to engage with the fascinating history, archaeology and traditions of the area, as well as meeting the animals and learning about spinning and weaving.
Fair Isle Knitting Holidays
© Daniel Craanen / Marie Bruhat
Fair Isle Knitting Holidays, Shetland
You’ve probably heard of or would recognise iconic Fair Isle knitwear – cosy knits formed with intricate patterns and colours. But did you know it originates from a real place in Scotland? Fair Isle is the most southerly of the Shetland islands, known for its rich wildlife, crofting history and, of course, its excellent knitwear.
Fair Isle Knitting Holidays help you organise the craft trip of a lifetime, offering full immersion into the Fair Isle way of life. Their ethos is around providing tailored experiences with the chance to take some time out and be inspired by the surroundings, whether that’s discovering knitting for the first time, learning more about Fair Isle techniques and yarn, using a flat-bed machine, working on your own creative designs, or even getting some hands-on experience with the sheep themselves. The week-long retreat includes 28 hours of tutoring and provision of pure Shetland wool yarn, so you can come home with a new scarf, hat, throw or hand warmers!
Driftwater Weaves, Isle of Lewis
Based on an atmospheric croft on the small island of Great Bernera linked to by a road bridge from the Isle of Lewis, tapestry artist Sallie Tyszko weaves works of art in her restored blackhouse studio. Take home one of Sallie’s incredible wall tapestry creations, inspired by the island landscapes, or visit for the opportunity to see a traditional craft in progress on impressive looms in the stylish studio.
You can also purchase hand-spun and dyed hanks of mohair and wool, made from the sheep and goats on the croft itself. As a member of the Scottish Crofting Federation, Sallie also offers the chance to meet the Shetland and Hebridean sheep who produce the wool, and the Angora goats who produce the mohair. You might also get to say hello to her Highland cows, Fraoch and Hetty!
Dramatic skies over Glen Isla
Uan Wool, Angus
Uan translates as ‘little lamb’ in Gaelic, and you can find this family-run business on a working farm nestled in the Braes of Angus in Glen Isla. They utilise their homegrown wool and fabrics to create gifts, art and warming pillows and are passionate about the health and wellbeing benefits of working with wool. Stop by to pick up a unique souvenir, or you can even join a craft workshop which is run on the farm itself. Try wet felting, dry needle felting or tapestry weaving to complete your visit.
