VisitScotland's Shetland ponies inspire new knitting tours

A campaign by VisitScotland featuring Shetland ponies in their winter woollies has inspired a travel company to run knitting tours of Scotland's Northern Isles.

The tours are expected to launch in autumn 2013 and will take in visits to wool traders, fashion designers, textile factories and traditional weavers.

According to the Scotsman, the 10-day tours of Shetland will cost £2,140 per person and are being organised by German holiday firm Nordica Reisen.

Owner of Nordica Reisen, Catharina Ehlers, told the Scotsman she "saw the VisitScotland promotion with the little ponies earlier this year and thought it would be a unique and interesting place to run a tour to."

As well as visiting museums to see ancient knitwear equipment, the holiday will also include knitting workshops and a stay in Fair Isle, home of the famous knitted jumpers.

The jumpers worn by the ponies in VisitScotland's advertising campaign were made by Shetland designer Doreen Brown, who hand-knitted them using wool from native Shetland sheep.

VisitScotland said: "We were looking for a photo which encapsulated Scotland's stunning natural landscapes, highlighted somewhere a little off the beaten track, and included some true Scottish locals to reflect what this year offers to visitors.

"With Shetland wool and knitwear being so in demand, it seemed like a fun way to celebrate Shetland's natural landscapes, products and heritage."

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