Island Vista Shetland

Island Vista Shetland Thanks for visiting our page. We are a local tour operator based in the Shetland Islands.

If you are planning a trip for your group and would like help arranging a high quality tour with a fully qualified tourist guide, then please get in touch.

🧶Last day of Fair Isle week 2025🧶If you think of the perfect day on a knitting tour, what do you think of?🧶 Nice scenery...
03/08/2025

🧶Last day of Fair Isle week 2025🧶

If you think of the perfect day on a knitting tour, what do you think of?
🧶 Nice scenery?
🧶 Great company?
🧶 Seeing knitting royalty?
🧶 Seeing beautiful knitwear?
🧶 Meeting the locals?
🧶 Good food?
🧶 Seeing fantastic local produce?
🧶 Having the sun shining?

Well, we had it all yesterday. 😀 It was an amazing end to our last Fair Isle week of 2025. 😊
Fair Isle week 2026 is now sold out, but there are some Fair Isle days in our new Heritage Highlights tours or why not trying something more advanced and join us for sheep to sweater? 😀

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 5🧶Today has been an action-packed day. Starting off with visiting Donna Smith at Langsoond Yarn. Alw...
01/08/2025

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 5🧶

Today has been an action-packed day. Starting off with visiting Donna Smith at Langsoond Yarn. Always fascinating to listen to her talk about dyeing the yarn. Our guests enjoyed purchasing some yarn and quite a few bought Donna's book. It's a great book, even the cat approves. 🥰
Then further into Burra, we went to see Wendy at Burra Bears, who tells us how her story started and introduces us to the original bears. 😀🐻
Some free time in town before hopping over to Bressay to spend the afternoon with Chris Dyer, his sheep and Bryn before taking a tour of Bressay.
We rounded the day off at The Lerwick Hotel for dinner. I took a load off for 2 minutes in one of their "throne" chairs. 😉
Also, a photo of not one but 2 fantastic drivers that we've had this week so far. Thank you!
I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of Fair Isle week 2025. 😪

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 4🧶On Thursday, our guests spent the day with Shirley again.She took them to the Shetland Museum and ...
01/08/2025

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 4🧶

On Thursday, our guests spent the day with Shirley again.
She took them to the Shetland Museum and Archives for a textile tour, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Afterwards, it was time to join Terri Laura again for a class but this time on the topic of steeking. 😀 A topic that terrifies many but Terri shows you have to steek 3 ways and gives you the confidence to cut your work. 😀

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 3🧶On Wednesday, Shirley looked after our lovely guests. ☺️She took them along Islesburgh to do a swa...
01/08/2025

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 3🧶

On Wednesday, Shirley looked after our lovely guests. ☺️
She took them along Islesburgh to do a swatching class with Terri Laura, who is just such a good teacher. ☺️
Then it was off to see Joanna Hunter’s studio in Scalloway to learn all about her inspiration and business.
Our group then set off for Sumburgh to see puffins and boy, did they see them. 😀
Meanwhile, I had the day off and took my peerie guy to the Bonnie Isle of Whalsay to spend some time with my sister, brother in law, nieces and nephew! 😀 We went along to some of the events for the Whalsay's Summer Days and had lots of fun. Beautiful day for it too. 😎
One place left on Fair Isle Week 2026. 😀
https://www.islandvista.co.uk/pages/makkin-our-way-through-shetland-2026

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 2🧶The group got to meet more legends today. We went to Uradale Farm to first hear from Ronnie about ...
30/07/2025

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 2🧶

The group got to meet more legends today. We went to Uradale Farm to first hear from Ronnie about the sheep and yarn production and then we heard from Viveka about the Shetland language. 😀
I don't have many photos from inside, I think I was too busy enjoying myself. As did the group. 😀
The guests had some free time for shopping in the afternoon, then we had dinner at Fjara. It's not often I choose the vegetarian option but boy, the butternut squash curry was good. 😋
A highlight of every Fair Isle week is the makkin and yakkin night, where are guests are joined by local knitters for a knit and natter. We also had Alison Rendall and Nina call along with their brand new yarn, Murrister Wirsit, a real treat for our guests. 😀

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 1🧶For our first day of Fair Isle week, we were off to meet the legend that is Oliver Henry and hear ...
30/07/2025

🧶Fair Isle Week Day 1🧶

For our first day of Fair Isle week, we were off to meet the legend that is Oliver Henry and hear about wool grading and sorting. There was also time for some retail therapy in Jamieson and Smith's. 🧶😊
Afterwards, we took a drive to the south mainland and stopped at Hoswick Visitor Centre for a lovely lunch and time to look through the Hoswick shops. 🧶📿
Then we visited the Crofthouse Museum to see what life would have been like in the 1800s.
On our way back to town, we caught up with some of our 4 legged locals. 😉🐴
A great start to the week. 😀
If you want to do Fair Isle week in 2026, you better be quick as I only have 1 spot left. 😀

MOWTS Contemporary Crafts Day 1 and 2It has been a busy start to our first of 3 Makkin Our Way Through Shetland tours, k...
23/07/2025

MOWTS Contemporary Crafts Day 1 and 2

It has been a busy start to our first of 3 Makkin Our Way Through Shetland tours, kicking off with Contemporary Crafts.

Day 1 saw us heading to Yell and Unst, where the sun was shining and the temperature hit 24 degs! We've had temperatures over 20 degs most days for about the last 2 weeks. Totally unheard off in Shetland but very welcome. 😎

In Yell, we called along the Old Haa for a coffee and view of the exhibits. In Unst, it was a stop at Muness Castle, Viking Unst, Saxavord, Bobby's Bus Shelter and then a delicious soup and cream tea lunch at Victoria's Vintage Tea Room. 😋

After lunch, we went to see Cheryl at Glansin Glass to make our fused glass creations. Can't wait to see how they turn out. 🙂

Then it was dinner at one of the friendliest hotels in Shetland, Busta House Hotel. 😀

Day 2 was to the opposite end of Shetland to see Cecil in Bigton and make some wooden spoons. Although this time I went for a spatula for a change.

We then visited Quendale Mill to see the exhibits there before heading to Lerwick for a spot of shopping before a delicious meal at Fjara.

Today, the group was looked after by Denise on a Lerwick walk and then the afternoon to themselves.

More adventures tomorrow...😀

🐑Makkin Our Way Through Shetland 2026🐑Our 2026 Makkin Our Way Through Shetland tours are now open for general sale. 😀New...
20/07/2025

🐑Makkin Our Way Through Shetland 2026🐑

Our 2026 Makkin Our Way Through Shetland tours are now open for general sale. 😀

New for 2026, we have a tour called Heritage Highlights, which combines the best bits from contemporary crafts, lace week and Fair Isle week. 😀 Don't say I never listen. 😉

Our ever popular Fair Isle week is almost sold out already. 😲 There is one room left, which is a single room without an ensuite. If you are ok with that, there is a discount for taking this room. Just think of it as more money to buy yarn. 😉

We're also running Sheep to Sweater again next year. Learn how to construct a sweater, the old Shetland way, which was without a pattern. Alison Rendall and her daughter Nina will tell you how. Learn more about spinning, dying and colour work.

Join us next year, I would love to meet you. 😀 Link in my bio. 😀

"Happiness is meeting an old friend and feeling like nothing has changed."In 2019, when I still did cruise coordination,...
17/07/2025

"Happiness is meeting an old friend and feeling like nothing has changed."

In 2019, when I still did cruise coordination, I had the pleasure of meeting Margit and Klaus-Peter, who charter Nordstjernen for various cruises. We became instant friends and have always kept in touch. 🥰

When I moved away from cruise coordination, I promised Margit that if Nordstjernen returned to Shetland, I would still do the shore excursions for them. Over the last two days, I have honoured that promise. 😀

In return, my boys and I were invited onboard last night for the evening, alongside the Jarl Squad and local young musicians.

The weather has been incredible lately and what a night to be onboard such a wonderful ship. 🤩

Safe to say, Tommy loved the experience. 😀 Especially having the Jarl Squad there too. 🤣🔥

When I first met Margit, I was unhappily single so what a joy it was to be able to introduce her to my boys. 💚💚

For info, Nordstjernen is 69 years old and next year, she will become the oldest commercial cruise ship still sailing. 😍

🐑Shetland Wool Week 2025🐑Now that SWW ticket sales have officially opened, the excitement of wool week really starts to ...
09/07/2025

🐑Shetland Wool Week 2025🐑

Now that SWW ticket sales have officially opened, the excitement of wool week really starts to build from here on out 😀
Our tours are filling up fast, with limited spaces for North Mainland and only 2 spaces left for Unst. 😱 Sadly, Alison Rendall's tour sold out a long time ago, and we now have a waiting list. 😲
And of course, there are various options available for Uradale Farm: you can visit Uradale Farm and Joanna Hunter at Ninian, visit Uradale and hear a fascinating talk about Shetland's language from Dr Viveka Velupillai or if you can't make it in person, you can just us online for Uradale Unplugged. Details are all available on our website. 😀
https://www.islandvista.co.uk/pages/shetland-wool-week-2025
Look forward to seeing you in September. 😀

And for those of you who can't make it to wool week but still would like to come to Shetland for an organised wool experience, feel free to add your name to the waiting list for our 2026 Makkin Our Way Through Shetland tours. I'm closing the waiting list at 9.30pm UK time TONIGHT! This is your last chance to get advanced access to the tours. Otherwise, it's a case of waiting until the general release. Email: [email protected]

Today's tour was all about Shetland Sheep, Shetland Yarn, Shetland Ponies, Shetland Sheepdogs and did I mention Shetland...
04/07/2025

Today's tour was all about Shetland Sheep, Shetland Yarn, Shetland Ponies, Shetland Sheepdogs and did I mention Shetland Sheep? Haha 🤣
A fun day despite the weather. 😊
Thanks to Donna Smith, Ronnie and Viveka and Marion. A lovely day out. 😊

Yesterday, my peerie high vis buddy and I had a lovely day catching up with friends who were enjoying a Viking cruise. 😀...
03/07/2025

Yesterday, my peerie high vis buddy and I had a lovely day catching up with friends who were enjoying a Viking cruise. 😀
Tommy loves boats and buses, so he was in his element while waiting for Karen and Bill at the pier. 😀 He was also "helping out" at the office too (thanks Helen and Judith for the photos).
Tommy's lovely jumper was made by Karen, who gifted it to me before Tommy was even born. 🥰 Thought it only seemed right that he wore it while meeting up with the creator. ❤️
Karen is a lovely friend who I had the pleasure of meeting by doing the Makkin Our Way Through Shetland tours. Helen Hart summed it up nicely, saying that I now have a little MOWTS family, I really liked that. 🥰
Want to be part of the MOWTS family? Send me an email to [email protected] to get added to the waiting list. I'll be launching the 2026 tours very soon. 😀

Address

Gutters' Hut, 7 North Ness Business Park
Lerwick
ZE10LZ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441595696966

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