Best Things To Do on a Shetland Islands Holiday
From Neolithic Britain's Greatest Site to Europe's Best Birdlife
Nov 2, 2009
When you take the Shetland ferry from Aberdeen in Scotland to the island's capital of Lerwick, you will be taking a journey to Britain's remotest outpost. Scattered up to 200 miles off the north coast of Britain, this isolated archipelago of Scottish islands also contains some of the greatest British coast with wild beaches and stupendous cliffs not to mention the country's most fascinating ancient history and the best Scottish seabird watching around. The islands are very spread out, however, and packing everything you want into a visit is often difficult.
Best Shetland Islands Hotels
Some of Scotland's most unusual paces to stay are on Shetland. These include camping bods, isolated croft cottages that you can stay in for a truly rural experience (ask Shetland's Tourist Board in Lerwick). The best place to stay on the mainland of the Shetland Isles is Busta House, a 16th century laird's house in a beautiful location near Brae, to the north of Lerwick. In the south of the mainland near Sumburgh Head is the Spiggie Hotel, a quirky fishing hotel in a secluded area of countryside near Jarlshof.
Best Things to See in Lerwick
The newly revamped Shetland Musem is a fascinating look at the island's history, from Fair Isle sweaters to traditional island boats hanging from the ceiling and island archaeology. It's one of the est of the island's attactions. On the outskirts of Lerwick you can also see an ancient Iron Age broch or fortified house called Clickimin Broch.
Moussa Broch and Jarlshof
Moussa Broch is the best-preserved Iron Age broch in Scotland – a huge fortified tower house eerily standing on its own deserted island. You can also come on late night trips here to see Storm Petrels.
Jarlshof is probably the most impressive archaeological site in Britain. Here you can see over 3000 years of continuous habitation on the same site, from Stone Age dwellings through to Iron Age and Norse buildings. In an isolated spot in the south of the island, it lies right on the beach at the mercy of the shifting dunes and wild winds.
Gletness Shetand Pony Stud
If you want to see miniature Shetland ponies in their natural habitat, then this is the place to come. The stud is on Nesting, in the north mainland 16 miles from Lerwick.
Eshaness and Fair Isle
Eshaness has some of the most impressive cliff scenery in Britain. Grass-topped cliffs crash down to a series of rock stacks, sea caves, inlets and blow holes, all caused by the ferocious waves beneath you. Nearby is a former laird's house converted into a fascinating museum, the Tangwick Haa Museum. It features displays on the hardships of local life under the lairds ((notoriously cruel Scottish landlords that caused many of Scotland's clearances which led to many Scottish migrating to the U.S).
Fair Isle is on an important migration crossroads for birds and visitors to this remote isle south of Shetland can stay at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory and find out more about the many birds that can be fond nesting or pausing en route to their southern migratory habitats. You can also see the famous Fair Isle sweaters made here.
Hermaness Bird Reserve and Muckle Flugga
At the far end of the most northerly of the Shetland Islands, Unst, this is the northernmost tip of Britain. From Lerwick you need to tae two ferries and drive two hours to reach the reserve, which is an important breeding ground for Great Skuas. At the end of the path you can catch views of the bleak Muckle Flugga lighthouse. The next land north is Greenland.
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