Behind the Scenes...

My Final Tour Season & Publishing Future

Dear Subscribers,

As I sit at my desk with a steaming cup of coffee, the sun shining for the second day in a row—yay!—and Shetland finally shaking off winter’s long embrace, I wanted to share something personal with you, my most valued readers and supporters.

There’s that unmistakable feeling of the islands stirring back to life after months of darkness and wild weather. These moments of transition always make me reflective, and today, my thoughts are on a different kind of change. A little daunting, yes—but also incredibly exciting...

Photo by Susan Williams @whatsusanseesphotography

A Season of Transition

This year marks an important turning point for me. The 2025 tour season will be my last leading guests through Shetland’s winding roads, hidden gems, and woolly adventures. After years of sharing these beloved islands with others, I’ve made the bittersweet decision to close this chapter—at least for now.

Why? Not because the magic has faded—far from it. Every tour still reveals new layers of Shetland’s beauty, culture, and community, and the friendships formed along the way will always mean the world to me. But this shift comes from a deep desire to pour my creative energy into sharing Shetland with an even wider audience—through my writing, publications, and creative pursuits that have been waiting in the wings. Running tours has been an incredible journey, but it has also demanded much of my time and energy. Now, I’m ready to embrace a new way of telling Shetland’s story.

The Publishing Path Forward

Many of you first discovered my work through the Shetland Wool Adventures Journal that has become something of a companion for Shetland visitors and knitters around the globe. What began as a passion project has blossomed into something that reaches far beyond what I initially imagined. A day doesn't go by when I don't feel grateful for this.

This autumn, once the final tour group has departed, I'll be dedicating myself entirely to focusing on publishing work. Here's a glimpse of what's on the horizon:

• Planning materials for travellers - Developing practical, inspiring resources for those planning their own Shetland journeys.

• A new photographic essay collection - Capturing the changing seasons and hidden corners of Shetland through my lens and words.

• Enhanced Substack experience - More in-depth content, photography, and stories exclusively for subscribers like you.

• Video content - I'm hoping to explore this new (to me) medium to bring Shetland's landscapes and stories to life in a different way.

And who knows where else the newly regained time and headspace will lead…

What This Means For You

For my loyal subscribers, this shift means richer content, more consistent publishing, and new ways to experience Shetland remotely. While I'm saying farewell to in-person tours, I'm embracing the opportunity to guide your Shetland journeys through words and images with even greater focus.

I'll be incorporating experiences from this final tour season into upcoming content—capturing moments, stories, and perspectives that can only come from being on the ground with our guests experiencing Shetland for the first time or returning to delve deeper and experience something new.

A Request

As I step into this next chapter, I’d love to hear from you. What aspects of Shetland captivate you the most? What stories, insights, or experiences would you like to see explored more deeply in my future publications and online content?

Would you enjoy more in-depth explorations of Shetland’s history, everyday life, wildlife, travel planning tips, or perhaps behind-the-scenes insights into running a small business? Or is there something else you’re curious about?

Also, what formats do you find most engaging—articles, photography, videos, online forums, or something entirely different?

Your thoughts will play a huge role in shaping the future direction of my work, and I’m genuinely excited to see where this journey leads. As always, I deeply value your insights and feedback—please share your ideas!

Final Thoughts

Change always brings a mix of emotions—nostalgia for what’s ending and excitement for what’s to come. As I prepare to welcome my 2025 groups to experience Shetland, I find myself deeply grateful—not only for these islands and the life I’ve built here, but for the connections we’ve made along the way.

I know that my relationship with Shetland, and with you, will continue to evolve in new and meaningful ways.

Thank you, as always, for being a part of this journey.

Until next time,
Misa x

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For those curious about the tour season, I’ll be sharing occasional updates on our adventures. And yes, I’ll still be right here in Shetland, continuing to document the changing seasons, the wool traditions, and the remarkable resilience of island life.