18. august 2026 – 25. august 2026 Scotland
Knitting in Scotland with Helga Jóna
Can you imagine anything more fitting than going on a knitting course in beautiful Scotland? The land with more sheep than people, some of the finest wool you can find, and a long tradition of knitting and working wool in all its forms. It is a must if you are a knitter and love beautiful and inspiring surroundings.
Annas Højskole has teamed up with knitting designer Helga Jóna Thórunnardóttir, who during the knitting course in Scotland will hold workshops where we will try out different techniques, for example cast-ons, cast-offs, edgings, buttonholes, finishing, and talk about when to use what, as well as exciting surfaces and play with different yarn qualities and colours.
It will be a week full of finish and finesse that can make your knitting even finer, which has gradually become Helga Jóna's trademark, as she loves to geek out over all the details in knitting. You will hopefully come home again after the week in Scotland, full of inspiration for your next knitting projects, and with good and useful swatches that can be carried over to your coming projects.
And we have also teamed up with Camilla Kornerup, who lives in Scotland and is an experienced tour leader for Annas Højskole and elsewhere. Camilla makes us wiser about the area, the history and the famous tartans. Camilla will be with us for the first few days.
We take a trip to Scotland's capital Edinburgh, a company visit to a textile factory and to New Lanark, a former cotton mill which is now on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Our folk high school lies on the edge of the town of Peebles in the area The Scottish Borders - a peaceful upland area with rounded hills, heather-clad heights and sweeping views, where sheep graze on the slopes, and sheep farms and small villages lie scattered between valleys and rivers.
On the course we stay in a former manor house that belonged to the Ballantyne family, one of Peebles' largest textile manufacturers, who had several factories and weaving mills in the area. The house is now a newly renovated hotel with bright rooms on several floors. The place also has a café, bar, a lovely garden with lawn and flowers as well as cosy nooks inside and out, and lies centrally at the end of the main street. The folk high school kitchen makes good food from local produce, and we eat most meals at the school. In the evening we are served a two-course menu.
Peebles is a charming town with shops, cafés and a couple of pubs. The town has about 10,000 inhabitants, and lies beautifully down by the River Tweed, less than an hour's drive from Edinburgh. Peebles has a long, rich history as a royal burgh, and it was here that southern Scotland's extensive textile production was founded. Countless wool spinneries, wool weaving mills and textile factories made the area rich in the 1800s and 1900s.
At the same time Peebles became a spa town, which the upper class in the coal-polluted cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow retreated to. They took health stays at the town's spa hotel, The Hydro Hotel. The Hydro still exists, and during the course we have free access to their spa department, which has both a steam bath, sauna, training facilities and a swimming pool - so remember your swimwear!
ETA
Danish citizens must have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to Great Britain. It costs 16 pounds, and you have to apply yourself. They say it can take up to 3 days before it is processed. We therefore recommend that you apply at least a week before you set off. You can read more about the ETA for Great Britain here: Travel rules - Scotland
Alle kan være med
Du bestemmer selv dit tempo, og programmet tilpasses holdet. Er du i tvivl om noget, så ring til os — så tager vi den sammen.
Knitting in Scotland 18 - 25 August 2026
Day 1 Tuesday 18/8
Departure from Copenhagen Airport with Norwegian direct flight at 13.35 to Edinburgh, where we arrive 14.30 local time.
Arrival in Peebles and at the folk high school. Check-in to rooms.
17.00: Cake + coffee/tea and Welcome to Scotland Folk High School by Camilla Kornerup and Helga Jóna Thórunnardóttir.
19.00: Dinner + who is who.
After dinner there is free time to enjoy the surroundings and/or settle into your room.
Day 2 Wednesday 19/8
8.30: Breakfast.
9.15: Morning song.
9.30 - 12.30: Knitting - module 1 with Helga.
13.00: Lunch at the folk high school.
14.00: Walk in and around Peebles with Camilla Kornerup, who tells about the town's fascinating history. We also take a trip down to the river Tweed, which runs through the town.
15.30 - 16.30: Coffee/tea + cake and talk "Clans, kilts and tartan, about grown men in patterned woollen skirts" by Camilla Kornerup.
19.00: Dinner at the folk high school.
20.00: Talk by Camilla Kornerup: About Saturday's trip to Edinburgh - what kind of city is it and what should you see and experience?
Day 3 Thursday 20/8
8.30 Breakfast.
9.30 - 12.00: Morning song + Knitting - module 2 with Helga.
13.00: Lunch at the folk high school.
16.00-19.00: Knitting - module 3 with Helga.
19.00: Dinner at the folk high school.
20.00: Mary, who has the yarn shop Wild Wool in Peebles, gives a talk about producing and trading Scottish yarn.
Day 4 Friday 21/8
8.30: Breakfast.
9.30: Morning song.
10.00: Bus to New Lanark - packed lunch with us. Guided tour and story about the workers' community that the old cotton mill formed from the mid-1700s.
15.00 Afternoon coffee/tea at The Mill Hotel's Mill One Restaurant.
16.00: On with the bus to Calzeat.
16.30: Visit to the textile company Calzeat in Symington, where we get a tour and story by owner Robin Galbraith.
18.30: The bus drives back to the folk high school.
After returning home we go out freely and eat dinner in the town on our own (not included in the price).
20.30: Optional evening song with Helga.
Day 5 Saturday 22/8
7.45: Breakfast.
8.30 Bus to Edinburgh
Today is on your own. You sort out lunch in the city yourselves. (In Edinburgh there is a lot of small street theatre at this time in August. The cultural festival is called Fringe and takes place 7-31/8).
15.45 - 18.45: Knitting - module 4 with Helga.
19.00: Dinner.
20.00: Whisky tasting at the folk high school with whisky connoisseur John Lees, who is also Camilla's husband.
Day 6 Sunday 23/8
8.30: Breakfast.
10.00 - 12.00: Knitting - module 5 with Helga.
13.00: Lunch at the folk high school.
14.00 - 17.00: Knitting - module 6 with Helga.
18.30: Dinner at the folk high school.
Day 7 Monday 24/8
8.30: Breakfast.
Extended morning song.
10.30 - 12.30: Knitting - module 6 with Helga.
13.00: Lunch at the folk high school.
14.00 - 16.00: Knitting - module 7 with Helga.
16.00: Vernissage with tea and scones.
19.00: Closing dinner.
20.30: Closing evening with a Scottish gala dinner and ceilidh - Scottish folk dance with live music.
Day 8 Tuesday 25/8
8.30: Breakfast.
10.00: Morning song.
11.30: Farewell and departure towards Edinburgh Airport.
15.10: Flight departure with Norwegian to Copenhagen, arrival 17.55 Danish time.
*We reserve the right to make changes
Programme
Knitting in Scotland 18 - 25 August 2026
Day 1 Tuesday 18/8
Departure from Copenhagen Airport with Norwegian direct flight at 13.35 to Edinburgh, where we arrive 14.30 local time.
Arrival in Peebles and at the folk high school. Check-in to rooms.
17.00: Cake + coffee/tea and Welcome to Scotland Folk High School by Camilla Kornerup and Helga Jóna Thórunnardóttir.
19.00: Dinner + who is who.
After dinner there is free time to enjoy the surroundings and/or settle into your room.
Day 2 Wednesday 19/8
8.30: Breakfast.
9.15: Morning song.
9.30 - 12.30: Knitting - module 1 with Helga.
13.00: Lunch at the folk high school.
14.00: Walk in and around Peebles with Camilla Kornerup, who tells about the town's fascinating history. We also take a trip down to the river Tweed, which runs through the town.
15.30 - 16.30: Coffee/tea + cake and talk "Clans, kilts and tartan, about grown men in patterned woollen skirts" by Camilla Kornerup.
19.00: Dinner at the folk high school.
20.00: Talk by Camilla Kornerup: About Saturday's trip to Edinburgh - what kind of city is it and what should you see and experience?
Day 3 Thursday 20/8
8.30 Breakfast.
9.30 - 12.00: Morning song + Knitting - module 2 with Helga.
13.00: Lunch at the folk high school.
16.00-19.00: Knitting - module 3 with Helga.
19.00: Dinner at the folk high school.
20.00: Mary, who has the yarn shop Wild Wool in Peebles, gives a talk about producing and trading Scottish yarn.
Day 4 Friday 21/8
8.30: Breakfast.
9.30: Morning song.
10.00: Bus to New Lanark - packed lunch with us. Guided tour and story about the workers' community that the old cotton mill formed from the mid-1700s.
15.00 Afternoon coffee/tea at The Mill Hotel's Mill One Restaurant.
16.00: On with the bus to Calzeat.
16.30: Visit to the textile company Calzeat in Symington, where we get a tour and story by owner Robin Galbraith.
18.30: The bus drives back to the folk high school.
After returning home we go out freely and eat dinner in the town on our own (not included in the price).
20.30: Optional evening song with Helga.
Day 5 Saturday 22/8
7.45: Breakfast.
8.30 Bus to Edinburgh
Today is on your own. You sort out lunch in the city yourselves. (In Edinburgh there is a lot of small street theatre at this time in August. The cultural festival is called Fringe and takes place 7-31/8).
15.45 - 18.45: Knitting - module 4 with Helga.
19.00: Dinner.
20.00: Whisky tasting at the folk high school with whisky connoisseur John Lees, who is also Camilla's husband.
Day 6 Sunday 23/8
8.30: Breakfast.
10.00 - 12.00: Knitting - module 5 with Helga.
13.00: Lunch at the folk high school.
14.00 - 17.00: Knitting - module 6 with Helga.
18.30: Dinner at the folk high school.
Day 7 Monday 24/8
8.30: Breakfast.
Extended morning song.
10.30 - 12.30: Knitting - module 6 with Helga.
13.00: Lunch at the folk high school.
14.00 - 16.00: Knitting - module 7 with Helga.
16.00: Vernissage with tea and scones.
19.00: Closing dinner.
20.30: Closing evening with a Scottish gala dinner and ceilidh - Scottish folk dance with live music.
Day 8 Tuesday 25/8
8.30: Breakfast.
10.00: Morning song.
11.30: Farewell and departure towards Edinburgh Airport.
15.10: Flight departure with Norwegian to Copenhagen, arrival 17.55 Danish time.
*We reserve the right to make changes
Beliggenhed & ophold
The course venue and the surroundings
Our folk high school lies on the edge of the town of Peebles in the area The Scottish Borders, south of Edinburgh. Around the town the beautiful Scottish landscape unfolds. It is a peaceful upland area with green rounded hills, heather-clad heights, old stone walls and sweeping views, where sheep graze on the slopes, and sheep farms and small villages lie scattered between valleys and rivers.
Accommodation - The Park Hotel
On the course we stay in a former manor house that belonged to the Ballantyne family, one of Peebles' largest textile manufacturers, who had several factories and weaving mills in the area. The house is now a newly renovated hotel, The Park Hotel, with bright rooms on several floors.
Today The Park Hotel is known for its historic charm and its combination of modern comforts and classic style, which gives guests a feeling of stepping back in time while enjoying the comfort of today.
The hotel also has a café, bar, bakery, and a lovely garden with cosy nooks inside and out. The hotel lies centrally at the end of the main street.
About Peebles
Peebles is a charming town with shops, cafés and a couple of pubs. The town has about 10,000 inhabitants, and lies down by the River Tweed, less than an hour's drive from Edinburgh.
Peebles has a long, rich history as a royal burgh, and it was here that southern Scotland's extensive textile production was founded. Countless wool spinneries, wool weaving mills and textile factories made the area rich in the 1800s and 1900s.
At the same time Peebles became a spa town, which the upper class in the coal-polluted cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow retreated to. They took health stays at the town's spa hotel, The Hydro Hotel and they went out to walk and get fresh air in the beautiful hilly surroundings.
The Hydro still exists, and during the course we fortunately have free access to their spa department, which has both a steam bath, sauna, training facilities and a swimming pool - so remember your swimwear!
Meet your instructors
Helga Jóna
Helga Jóna Thórunnardóttir is a passionate knitter who loves to dive into the details to achieve an even more beautiful finish in her knitting. She is a permanent teacher at Skals Højskole for design and needlework, works closely with Isager, and has also helped create many exciting ISAGER collections. She has written the book HANDCRAFT together with Helga Isager, which they see as a reference work, as it is full of good knitting techniques.
She is passionate about good knitting techniques and loves to share her knowledge and experience. In addition to teaching and giving talks in several places in Denmark, she also travels around and holds workshops in Iceland, Morocco, Norway and most recently in Japan.
Helga Jóna comes from Iceland and grew up there. She is a former owner of a needlework shop in Reykjavík and has over 20 years' experience as a teacher of knitting and embroidery, and has run knitting trips to Iceland since 2015.
She designs her own knitting patterns, which can be found on her website: www.strikketoj.com.
Camilla Kornerup
Camilla is a graduate (cand. mag.) and has travelled in large parts of the world and now lives in Edinburgh with her English husband John.
Camilla runs the talks business Cosmopolit, where she tells stories and shows pictures from travels about people's lives and living conditions around the globe. Alongside this she is a tour leader on hikes in Scotland and has a background in the travel industry as a guide, and as a teacher. In recent years she has also worked with HR and skills development and as a self-employed consultant in sustainability.
In her free time Camilla enjoys getting to know Scotland and the Scots better, and she hikes and cycles and takes pictures and looks forward to exploring the more remote and windswept regions such as the Shetland Islands and the Hebrides. Camilla will give several talks during the week.
John Lees
John is a historian, born in England and lives in Edinburgh, where he is a passionate whisky collector. John has tasted over 500 whiskies from all over the world and among the favourites are some of the rarer whiskies from remote small Scottish distilleries.
At our whisky evening we taste 6 of Scotland's finer single malt whiskies, the real thing, from both the Highlands and the Lowlands. We will surely recognise flavour notes of peat, smoke, leather, oil and vanilla while we are well entertained by John's stories about whisky and its special place in the Scots' hearts, not to mention its significance in the endless conflicts between England and Scotland through the ages.
John is married to Danish Camilla Kornerup, who is course leader on several of Annas Højskole's courses in Scotland.
Praktisk & pris
- Departure 18 August from Copenhagen Airport at 13.35 to Edinburgh with Norwegian, where we arrive 14.30 local time
- Departure 25 August with Norwegian from Edinburgh at 15.10 with arrival local time at Copenhagen Airport at 17.55
A connecting flight from Aalborg return can be added at the price of the day.
We reserve the right to make changes
Price includes
- The prices are all-inclusive as per the programme:
- Flight Norwegian direct Copenhagen-Edinburgh return, a connecting flight from Aalborg return can be added at the price of the day
- Stay at a lovely newly renovated hotel, which was formerly a manor house, in delightful rooms with own bathroom
- All meals at the folk high school included. They are two-course menus. You pay yourself for one lunch on the free day and dinner in Peebles
- All coffee and tea in connection with meals - and in the rooms
- Cake at selected times - see programme
- Bus travel to the various arrangements
- 7 modules of knitting teaching
- Various talks/presentations
- Whisky tasting
- Access to the large spa area at The Hydro Peebles a 10-minute walk from the folk high school - a beautiful former health sanatorium from 1881, now transformed into a luxury hotel.
- All talks
- All entry fees
- Contribution to the Travel Guarantee Fund
- Airport taxes and charges
Price excludes
- One lunch on the free day in Edinburgh
- One dinner in Peebles
- Drinks must be purchased separately
- Payment:
- On registration we ask for a deposit of kr. 3000,- The balance must be transferred 2 months before departure.
- In special cases it is possible to pay by Mastercard. If desired, please write it on the registration.
Billeder
What our guests say
“Tak for en fantastisk oplevelse, ikke mindst takket være Anna og dig. Du var en inspirerende rejseleder, der gjorde turen til meget mere end bare en pilgrimsvandring.”
“Skøn tur som puttes i rygsækken med fantastiske oplevelser, smukke fotos og den bedste kursusleder Michael Birkkjær Lauritsen. Elsker oplevelser med Annas Højskole.”
“Jeg har netop været på strikkehøjskole på Læsø ved Annette Danielsen. Uanset hvor hårdt jeg anstrenger mig, kan jeg simpelthen ikke finde noget negativt at sige. Annette Danielsen er en fuldstændig fantastisk inspirerende og forrygende formidler. Østergaard B&B er et skønt sted med lækre lejligheder, dejlig og velsmagende mad, og en meget sympatisk og underholdende vært. Vi mødte skønne og inspirerende fortællere i huset og på ture på Læsø. Vi startede dagene med morgensang sammen med Jens Christian, som fint fortalte lidt om de sange, vi sang. Dejlig start på nogle vidunderlige dage. Det har bare været helt igennem en skøn, pragtfuld og fantastisk uge. Føler mig meget beriget.”
Ofte stillede spørgsmål
Kan jeg rejse med, hvis jeg rejser alene?
Ja — rigtig mange af vores kursister rejser alene. Du bliver en del af fællesskabet fra første dag, og du kan vælge eget værelse, hvis du vil have ro omkring dig.
Hvor god en form skal jeg være i?
Alle kan være med! Programmet tilpasses holdet, og du bestemmer selv dit tempo. Er du i tvivl, så ring til os — så tager vi den sammen.
Hvordan foregår betalingen?
Du reserverer din plads med et depositum og modtager en faktura pr. e-mail. Restbeløbet betales senest 60 dage før afrejse — også via faktura og bankoverførsel.
Hvad hvis jeg bliver nødt til at aflyse?
Vores afbestillingsregler står i rejsereglerne for pakkerejser, og vi er medlem af Rejsegarantifonden (reg.nr. 3122). Kontakt os hurtigst muligt, hvis noget kommer i vejen — vi finder altid en løsning sammen.
Kan I tage hensyn til allergier og særlige behov?
Ja. Når du reserverer, spørger vi ind til kost, allergier og særlige behov, og vi giver besked videre til køkkenet og værterne på destinationen.
Er der dansktalende værter med på rejsen?
Ja, altid. Der er dansktalende kursusledere og værter med på alle vores ophold.
Reserve your place
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