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Looks like we'll be spending a week and a bit on the Shetlands in late September. We're booking a few days in a place on Unst, other than that we have nothing else sorted
So, any pointers for things to do/places to go/places to miss gratefully accepted. Me, her, the dog, no bikes, we'll be in the campervan.
I’ll start with holes of scraada and esha ness generally, jarslhof, mousa broch. Only had 3 days there when we visited but weather was amazing and we loved it.
First of all it’s “Shetland” or “the Shetland Isles” if you’re not on the main island and you don’t want to offend.
I haven’t been since the late 90’s but I found it a spectacular place, no trees, beautiful scenery if not permanently windy, take warm clothes. Lots of Norse tradition which appeals to me due to the history. There is an annual Nordic festival Up Helly Ah which is a sight to behold if you can time it.
Beautiful Island community with lots of tradition and skills if you try to be involved.
If you've not already booked, go to Orkney instead.
If you are set on Shetland, then St Ninian's tombolo is worth the trip. Plenty of wildlife watching options.
The ferry from Aberdeen is great, make sure you book a cabin, but don't miss the live entertainment in the bar.
If you’ve not already booked, go to Orkney instead.
How come? (and the ferry was booked in the past half hour...)
We went sea kayaking to Shetland last year. St Ninians Isle, Mousa Brock, Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement, Eashaness (cracking camp site with cafe) Sumbergh head. some of the other islands we visted Yell and Noss.
Take some Binocualrs and bird book. If you can go or come back via Orkney.
Hopefuly you will have a great time.
We are back for some more paddling this year.
How come? (and the ferry was booked in the past half hour…)
IMHO, Shetland is a big windswept knackered bog. The weather is often poor and the terrain isn't particularly great. It's a schlep even from mainland Scotland and it's full of oil workers making everything more expensive than it might be.
Orkney has better beaches, archaeology, weather and tourist facilities.
It's a bit like bypassing Bath to visit Milton Keynes, again IMHO.
I dare say other folk have a more positive view of it.
Could go north, park up and walk to Muckle Flugga and back.
Go for the coast to coast record at Mavis Grind
Eat Cullen skink
*visit bobbys bush shelter*
Otter spotting.
Unst boat haven
We liked the Lerwick site as lots of facilities within walking, also pier site near Mavis Grind , mrs liked that.
Shetland bus museum
Play spot the tree.
Puffins at Sumburgh Head (made mrs year, one paraded about 5ft from her for ages)
See comment about Orkney above.
Don't you need a boat to haul across Mavis Grind? We landed there but omitted to relaunch.
I knackered my knees walking on bits of Shetland. Also watch out for wading bird sitting in the road.
Wow oldtennisshoes you had a bad time eh? I lived there for 12 years, until the other year. We moved largely to be more accessible to family.
Tbh Orkney does have a better tourist set up with more cafes around when you're out and about, and accomodation, and it is quicker and cheaper to get to. It is very different to Shetland, not better, they're just two different places.
Others have really covered the main places to visit on Shetland, and most importantly told you not to say The Shetlands 🤣 It really winds people up.
For Unst go up to Hermaness, Muness (old castle and head land), Haroldswick and the Viking long house, Norwich Beach, Lundwick beach. There's limited shops on Unst, The Last Checkout (basic cafe too) and Hendersons in Baltisound and Victoria's Tea Rooms. I'd stock up at Tesco in Lerwick and fill up on fuel too.
For most people it's the coastal cliffs and beaches that impress, but there is some beauty up in the hills too.
Promote Shetland website will give you plenty of ideas.
I did a winter solstice coast to coast swim at Mavis Grind. Swam in the North Sea side, ran across the road in my Speedos and swam in the Atlantic side. It did seem to amuse some passing motorists,🤣
BTW no puffins in September! And you'll be lucky to find Cullen skink in Shetland. If there's a Sunday Tea on while you're there go along and stuff yourself with homebakes.
Take a tent for when the ferries all get cancelled...
Play spot the tree.
Like the postcard featuring trees of the Falkland Islands - it was a series of one, a blank white rectangle… 😁
Wow oldtennisshoes you had a bad time eh?
I did a job for a few years where it was in my area; I visited many times. Orkney, Caithness & Sutherland and The Western Isles were also in my patch. I'd not be in a rush to head back to Shetland or Stornoway (black pudding aside, obvs).
Try the sassermaet when you’re there. Utterly delicious.
Also, we visited on a four day bike tour a few years back. Rode more than 200 miles, saw one very small pothole. Only downside was roads where the headwind came from north, south, east and west all at the same time.
Yeh a sassermaet roll with fried onions is ace 😋, saat beef bannocks too, but not so much the reestit mutton.