Shetland is truly an inspiring place. Though undeniably Scottish, it was ruled by the Norse until 1469 and local life still reflects its shared heritage. The most northern part of Britain, it’s known for its stunning sea cliffs, ancient history and art, music and of course, its beautiful wool. Shetland wool is famous throughout the world for its unique properties and colours, used in traditional fair isle and lace knitwear design.

During our retreat, the characteristics of these islands will serve as the catalyst for our feltmaking.

On these upcoming Shetland Retreats, there will be island excursions: visits to local museums, working farms, and archaeological sites. We will visit traditional crofts, see Shetland sheep and a Shetland pony or two. We’ll meet Shetland makers and learn more about the textile traditions. Our schedule will be full, but there will also be time to wander, wonder and relax.  We’ll be on island time. My favourite time!

I was born here, and my passion for wool was ignited here, learning to knit from my grandmother, sitting beside her peat fired stove. I look forward to showing you my favourite places people and materials and welcoming you into my summer studio in Shetland.

The Felting Tour Retreat

Spend 9 days/8 nights exploring Shetland, meeting special people- artists, makers, and crofters. We’ll visit the museums and historic sites, like The Shetland Museum, the Shetland Textile Museum, The Crofthouse Museum, Jarlshof, and Sumburgh Lighthouse. We’ll visit crafters and yarn producers like Uradale Farm, or Garth’s Croft. We’ll visit local makers like NielaNell, Shetland Handspun or others.  As time and weather permits, we’ll visit gorgeous natural sites like Eshaness and St.Ninian’s Beach. Not only will we be creating, but we’ll be having the most full, rich experience of this unique place.

Three full days + are dedicated to felting in my summer studio, working with various forms of Shetland wool, from raw fleece, to rovings, to traditional fair isle knitwear and lace to printed cloth, as well as found treasures!   We explore felting techniques to allow you to bring any or all of these into your felt projects. I will have examples of 3-4 different project suggestions: a wall hanging, a floor mat, two styles of vessels, and for those that prefer more functional items, cushions or bags.  This gives you a strong range of possibilities to suit what you like to make, while new techniques will be suggested to stretch your skillset, all while exploring Shetland wool, textiles, and landscape. It isn’t a set workshop, where everyone makes the same thing.  But everyone will have the same set of techniques available to them to apply to a project of their own design, with project suggestions based on my samples.

Retreat Dates:

May 18-26, 2026- 1 space available

June 1-9, 2026- 1 space available

July 8-16, 2026- FULL!  Email me to be added to the waiting list!

August 19-27, 2026-  1 spaces available

September 13-21, 2026- 2 spaces available

Retreat Fees:

• Maximum of 10 participants.
• Single rooms:  $7350 Canadian Dollars (Approximately £3950 GBP, or $5275 USD, depending on daily exchange rate)
• Shared rooms: $6850 Canadian Dollars (Approximately £3650 GBP, or $4925 USD, depending on daily exchange rate)
• Accompanying partners: $12150 Canadian Dollars (Approximately £6500 GBP, or $8725 USD, depending on daily exchange rate)£2850
  • (note: there are spaces available for partners/travel companions in June and September only. At this time, when partners/spouses come on the retreats, they are included in all the tours and outings. We don’t have any spaces available just as accommodation only)

What’s Included?

Accommodation: 8 nights accommodation in a very comfortable guesthouse in Lerwick. We stayed here during previous retreats and also in  January and the hosts are so friendly and welcoming!

The Shetland Mentorship Retreat

Join me in my summer studio in Shetland for 8 days/7 nights. We work with all  forms of Shetland wool, from raw fleece, to rovings and yarns, to traditional fair isle knitwear and lace to printed cloth, as well as found treasures!  All materials and tools are available for you, along with individual consultations on your project, creative process and path. There will be lots of felting, painting, dyeing, laughing, walking and relaxing! I’ll be in the studio with you for 5 full days to offer guidance and ideas.

The mentorship retreats are smaller, more personal; a curated visit and working time in Shetland. In addition to our studio time, we have a range of field trips planned to our favourite spots like Eshaness and St.Ninian’s beach- plus more that you must see when in Shetland! We will have 5 studio days with some evening outings, plus one free day for you to explore town or other sites we may not have visited together. We want you to have the most full, rich experience while we are together in Shetland, so we have added in extras so you get the most out of your time there, seeing places and meeting people  while mainly working in the studio.

The days are very long in the summer, so there are a lot of hours to make, explore, think, dream and plan! 

The mentorship retreats are for advanced beginners to experienced felt makers. This is about going deeper or in new directions in your work. Contact me if you have any questions about if this is the right retreat for you!

Retreat Dates:

June 24- July 1, 2026: FULL!  

July 18-25, 2026: FULL!  

August 6-13, 2026: FULL!  

Use the link below to be added to the waiting list for any of these Mentorship Retreats!

Retreat Size: Maximum 5-6 participants

Retreat Highlights:

• Individual consultations and guidance
• Access to materials and tools
• Focus on felting, painting, and dyeing
• Opportunities for relaxation and exploration
• Private rooms: $5350 Canadian Dollars (Approximately £2875 GBP, or $3825 USD, depending on daily exchange rate)

What’s Included?

Accommodation: 7 nights accommodation in self-catering flat in the historic area of Lerwick. Easy access to everything in town, including Commercial Street, Bain’s Beach and shops for supplies- wool, food and beverages!

Reflections on the retreat experience from some Shetland Island Felting Retreat participants from a previous year. They are so lovely!

RETREAT FEES

The Felting Tour Retreat

• Maximum of 10 participants.
• Single rooms:  $7350 Canadian Dollars (Approximately £3950 GBP, or $5275 USD, depending on daily exchange rate)
• Shared rooms: $6850 Canadian Dollars (Approximately £3650 GBP, or $4925 USD, depending on daily exchange rate)
• Accompanying partners: $12150 Canadian Dollars (Approximately £6500 GBP, or $8725 USD, depending on daily exchange rate)£2850
  • (note: there are spaces available for partners/travel companions in June and September only. At this time, when partners/spouses come on the retreats, they are included in all the tours and outings. We don’t have any spaces available just as accommodation only)

The Shetland Mentorship Retreat

• Maximum of 6 participants
• Single  rooms: $5350 Canadian Dollars (Approximately £2875 GBP, or $3825 USD, depending on daily exchange rate)

TERMS AND PAYMENTS

A deposit of 50% of the retreat fee is required when you register. This payment secures your place in the workshop. Upon receiving your registration form, we’ll send you an invoice that is payable by credit card, wire transfer, e-transfer (Canadians only) or through PayPal. This can take us up to 24 hours, so do be patient! All registrations are taken based on the order in which they are received.

The balance will be payable by March 15th, 2026. Invoices for the balance will be sent out in early February, 2026. 

PAYMENTS

After payment is received, you’ll be sent a receipt via email.  This may take up to 24 hours, so do expect a possible delay in receiving this confirmation and receipt.

 REFUND POLICY

If you need to cancel 91 days or more prior to the start of the trip,  you’ll receive a partial refund of 75% of the full fee.

If you need to cancel 90 days or less prior to the start of the trip, there will be no refund unless your space can be filled.

In both cases, I will do everything possible to help find someone to take your space or you may know someone who would like to come in your place. If this is possible, I will be happy to refund your fee, less $1200 CAD and any fees associated with the refund, OR roll over your full registration to the next available workshop. 

Please note that if a replacement cannot be secured, the refund fees as laid out above apply. I cannot  guarantee that a replacement will be found, but will do my best to find one for you. 

If you are unable to attend, please let me know as soon as possible. There are many booking and commitments that have been made to make the retreat all come together, with bookings paid for in advance. This is why I must withhold a portion of the fees,  upon your cancellation, especially if your space can’t be filled on short notice.

If the organizer cancels the tour then full refunds will be made.

It is strongly suggested that you take out travel insurance (health and cancellation insurance)  to cover your airfare and retreat fees in case you are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.

TRAVELLER RESPONSIBILITY

All travellers assume the responsibility to ensure the retreat is appropriate to their physical abilities and interests. Travellers are responsible for being in sufficiently good health to undertake their trip; for obtaining the appropriate medical and cancellation insurance; for studying all pre-departure information; and for acting in a manner considerate of fellow travellers and the countries visited. Travellers assume full responsibility for all risks, including (but not limited to) any loss, injury, death or damage to them, their family or their dependents arising in connection with their participation, or the participation of their family, in the trips, and for ensuring that they have adequate insurance coverage to cover any loss.

Once the trip begins, we will do everything possible to ensure your enjoyment and we rely on you to tell us if something is not working for you. We look forward to a having a beautiful, inspiring and creative retreat together!