Craggy cliffs, hills covered with heather, spectacular beaches... Shetland is rugged, remote, a world apart.
There's a different world waiting for you in Shetland. A world where wildlife is truly free, where otters and seals play in quiet coves, and the air is full of the sound of wild birds, crowding the jagged cliffs in huge and noisy colonies. Being in Shetland is unlike being anywhere else, a fact that is evident from our unique culture, our dialect, our heritage, even our place names. The beautiful and dramatic ice carved landscape is studded with treasures of history that go back over 5,000 years.
There are countless opportunities for adventure on your doorstep. Whether walking, windsurfing, fishing, cycling, beachcombing, bird-watching, scuba diving, sailing, whale-watching, surfing or kayaking, Shetland has something to suit everybody. For details look here.
Traditional Croft at Cunningsburgh, South Mainland
Shetland lies almost exactly at the centre of a triangle, with Norway approximately 200 miles to the east, Faroe slightly closer to the north-west and Scotland at a similar distance away to the south. Occupying this maritime crossroads, it is the hub of a great north Atlantic seaway.
Shetland is a cluster of over one hundred islands, each with its own heritage and history. Like a giant jigsaw of interlocking land and water, it's far bigger than you might think. It's a great place to take a family - safe, friendly and welcoming with plenty of space to run wild and explore.
Whichever island you visit, there's a wealth of archaeological and historical sites to uncover and an amazing variety of wildlife to identify.
Shetland geography
Thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream the islands have a milder climate than you might expect, with more sunshine in the summertime than anywhere else in Britain. The average annual rainfall is only 39 inches, with April to July being the driest months. The weather can be changeable though, so when you're out and about, it's best to take warm and waterproof clothes with you just in case.
Midsummer is an especially magical time in Shetland when the sun can shine for almost 19 hours and the air and scenery can be stunningly clear. In the late evening, the light gradually fades into a long, bright twilight known as the “Simmer Dim”. On a cloudless night, the sun dips below the horizon for only a short time, leaving a wash of gold between dusk and dawn. It's an unforgettable experience.
Norwick Beach, Unst
Great Outdoors
For those who love walking, our cross country treks will take you by loch and sea, over moor and sand. Golfers will find three challenging courses and a driving range. Anglers love Shetland too. There are over 365 lochs holding brown trout and the sea fishing is superb. The charming scenery forms a relaxing backdrop for cruising coastal waters. If it's an adventure you are after, Shetland is the right place for you. It allows yachts unrestricted access to all the islands so pick one or two and explore!
Shetland nature
Walk on the wild side!
Whether you're an experienced walker who likes a challenging hike or just want to take a stroll around some of our beauty spots and ancient historical sites, Shetland can offer you some of the best walking in Europe. There's a whole world at your feet here, from coastal treks that wind past noisy bird colonies and cliffs edged with flowers, to quiet inland lochs and steep paths up rolling hills. Follow the Country Code and start walking to discover this wonderful countryside and striking seascapes.
The combination of spectacular coastal scenery on both North Sea and Atlantic facing cliffs, quiet inland lochs, and gentle heathery hills is unsurpassed. The walker has the rare opportunity to discover ancient historical sites, dating back to Neolithic times, and observe a wonderful array of wildlife - flowers, birds and mammals.
- Climb our highest hill, at 450 metres (1,486 feet), for a spectacular view of the island group.
- Pick a section of our 1450 km (900 mile) coastline to walk or aim to complete the lot.
- Come to Walk Shetland Week, our annual walking festival held at the end of August.
- Look up our Shetland Ranger Service.
- For inspiration on some beautiful walks visit www.visitshetland.com.
Dore Holm, North Mainland
The sea is never far away in Shetland. Whether calm and azure blue or slate grey and stormy, it's no surprise that it's home to most of the islands' wildlife. Above the waves, along the rugged coastline, the cliffs are teeming with seabirds living in huge and noisy colonies.
Over 1 million seabirds, made up of 21 species, breed in the archipelago every summer, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. In local dialect the gannet, artic skua, black guillemot and puffin are known as solan, scooty alan, tystie and tammy norie.
Wherever you go you will have the opportunity to watch the amazing bird life on the cliffs and coastline, see the wildlife which if you strike it lucky could be an otter or even a killer whale. During the summer months we have many hours of daylight and during the simmer dim in mid June the sun barely sets and there is no darkness at all. Whatever you do you will be left with wonderful memories of these attractive islands.
Getting to Shetland
Atlantic Airways (www.flyshetland.com) will operate a Stansted-Sumburgh service from June 23 until October 30, with return fares starting at £156 including taxes. Alternatively British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from Heathrow and Gatwick via Aberdeen, from £164.
By sea: NorthLink Ferries (www.northlinkferries.co.uk) leave daily from Aberdeen. As well as the daily link to the Scottish mainland, Shetland has weekly ferry connections with Scandinavia - Smyril Line (www.smyril.co.uk).
Northmavine
