Mentorship Retreat Itinerary

This sample itinerary gives a good overview of the way our days are structured and the range of experiences you can expect. There may be some small changes to times, or locations.

Arrival Day

Depending on when you arrive, we will enjoy a coffee and introductions, enjoy a short outing to collect inspiration and ideas, and/or visit the award winning Shetland Museum.

Evening gathering at Felt Studio with dinner and Design Discussion

meals included- dinner

 

Day 2  Studio Time + Outing

9:00am-12:00pm This morning we head south to Sumburgh to explore the best known prehistoric archaeological site in Shetland. Jarlshof has been described as “one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles”. We’ll explore the history of this place and also observe the beautiful forms of the remaining, grass topped, stone work constructions.

We’ll visit Sumburgh Lighthouse, enjoying the stunning views while taking a short, dramatic cliff top walk.

12:30-1:30 Lunch at Felt Studio

1:30-5:00 Felting at Felt Studio

6:30- 7:30 Group Dinner out at a Lerwick Restaurant

meals included-breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

Day 3  Studio Day 

9:00am – 5:00pm  Felt Studio

9:30-12:30 Design Study at the Felt Studio

12:00-12:30  Lunch 

12:30-5:00  Felting time

Open Evening: dinner on your own at a restaurant of your choice in Lerwick

meals included-breakfast, lunch

 

Day 4  Studio Day + Outing

9:00am- 8:00pm  Felt Studio

9:30-12:30  Felting time 

12:30-1:00  Lunch

1:00-5:00  Felting time 

5:00-6:30  Dinner at the Felt Studio

6:30-8:00: Felting time

Today includes a 3 hour cyanotype on the beach with picnic lunch or supper (depending on weather and light)

meals included-breakfast, lunch, dinner 

 

Day 5  Studio Day + Outing

9:00am- 4:30pm  Felt Studio

9:30-12:00  Felting time

12:00-12:30  Lunch 

12:30-4:30  Felting time

5:30-6:30   Dinner at the 16th century Busta House, famed for its hospitality and idyllic setting.

6:30-9:00/9:30  We head further northwest to visit the stunning rock formations and volcanic cliffs of the Drongs, Dor Holm and Eshaness.

meals included-breakfast, lunch, dinner 

 

Day 6  Studio Day + Outing

9:00am- 3:00pm  Felt Studio

9:30-12:30 Felting Time 

12:30-1:00 Lunch

1:00- 3:00 Felting time

3:30-5:30  Outing to St.Ninan’s Isle with optional sauna session on the beach. St.Ninian’s is the largest sand tombolo in the UK and in 2022 was ranked as Scotland’s best beach. The tombolo offers access to St Ninian’s Isle, where, in 1958, a Lerwick schoolboy discovered a horde of Pictish silver, presumed to have been hidden by monks to keep it safe from Viking raiders.

6:30 Return to Lewick

Open Evening: dinner on your own at a restaurant of your choice in Lerwick

meals included-breakfast, lunch

 

Day 7  Studio Day: last felting day

9:00am – 7:00pm Felt Studio

9:30-12:30 Felting time

12:30-1:00 Lunch 

1:00-4:00 Felting time

4:00-5:30 Review of work/Process

5:30-7:00 Dinner at Felt Studio

7:30 Return to Lerwick

meals included-breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

Day 8  Open Day 

Open day to explore Lerwick or beyond at your pace.

Our past week has been so full, today is a day to do some shopping on Commercial street, go for a long walk, or just experience whatever best suits you for the last day of your Shetland Retreat. You will have no shortage of ideas for activities after our time together!  Fiona has a range of suggestions for you to round out your trip!

Our farewell dinner is tonight at 6:00pm.  

 

Day 9  Departure Day 

You’re likely to have collected some treasures as well as many memories to bring home! 

Whether you are leaving by ferry or plane, Fiona and Graham will drop you off and wish you safe travels home!

This is an example itinerary that includes most of the activities we usually do during the Felting Mentorship Retreats. 

This itinerary may change based on the month of the retreat and the weather. We will always take you to most of these locations, and if we make any adjustments/replacements, it will only be to make the experience more full and well rounded for you!