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Scotland’s Shetland Islands

Scotland’s Shetland Islands

From $ 2,710 AUD

Description

Discover the many charms of the Shetland Islands on a small group tour featuring dramatic coastlines, towering sea cliffs, wildlife spotting and history galore. Lerwick is a charming town that plays host to the Shetland Museum, filled with historic buildings and offering a unique and captivating Scottish experience that will leave a lasting impression. Private minibus adventures will take you to the rugged landscapes of Eshaness and Muckle Flugga, the most northerly inhabited point in the United Kingdom to spot local wildlife like puffins, seals and otters. Add in a quaint town of warm-hearted locals and atmospheric pubs to enjoy at the end of each day and this trip has it all. Come and experience the magic of the Northern Scottish Isles.

Trip Name
Scotland's Shetland Islands
Last Updated
2024-04-17
Days
6
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Lerwick, a charming town filled with historic buildings, makes for the perfect base for your trip. Unpack once in your guesthouse, settle in and enjoy a warm, cosy welcome back at the end of each day.
  • Tour the Shetland Museum which celebrates the local history with engaging interactive exhibits and world renowned collections of historic artifacts and documents.
  • Keep a lookout for puffins on a private minibus trip to Hermaness Nature Reserve and Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, the most northerly point in the United Kingdom.
  • Take a private minibus tour to Eshaness and be captivated by the crashing waves, dramatic sea cliffs and history that makes this destination a Shetland Islands ‘must visit’.
  • Rest, relax and enjoy the overnight ferries plentiful eating options and snooze in a comfortable ‘sleeping pod’ that reclines 70 degrees for a good night’s rest.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Aberdeen to Lerwick
Welcome to Aberdeen! Meet your leader and the rest of your group in the late afternoon at Aberdeen Ferry Terminal, a designated space where passengers can wait comfortably and grab some refreshments or a light meal before boarding the overnight ferry to Lerwick in Shetland. On the overnight ferry you will have a designated comfortable ‘sleeping pod’ that reclines 70 degrees to help you get a good night’s rest before your Shetland Island adventure begins tomorrow.
Day 2 - Lerwick
After you disembark the ferry at around 8 am, you’ll jump in a taxi to the guest house, where you can drop off your luggage before taking a walking tour of Lerwick, Shetland’s main town. This afternoon is yours to discover Lerwick your way, perhaps by raising a glass at the Lerwick Brewery, spotting local wildlife on a boat tour, or taking a stroll along the waterfront. Tonight, you may like to have dinner at one of Lerwick’s cosy pubs.
Day 3 - Sumburgh
After breakfast this morning, you’ll go on a short walk to the Shetland Museum, where your guide will take you for a tour that celebrates the local history through engaging interactive exhibits and world renowned collections of historic artifacts and documents. You might like to grab a bite to eat here before catching the public bus to Sumburgh for a hike to Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head. Enjoy stunning coastal views as you take in the prehistoric sites of Jarlshof, then walk to the Sumburgh Head lighthouse where you’ll learn about the area’s history, from the early Iron Age settlers to the lighthouse keepers who kept sailors safe from harm. After your return to Lerwick in the late afternoon, you might want to grab dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4 - Muckle Flugga
After breakfast, you’ll take a trip to Hermaness Nature Reserve and Muckle Flugga, home to the Muckle Flugga Lighthouse and the most northerly inhabited island in the United Kingdom. Perched on jagged rocks rising out of the sea just off the coast of Unst, the lighthouse was built to protect British ships heading into battle during the Crimean War and was originally tended to by three lighthouse keepers. Getting there can be a bit of an adventure, so today, your group will have a private minibus. Keep an eye out for puffins and other seabird colonies along the cliffs, as you take in the wild beauty of this remote location. On your return to Lerwick, you may like to head out with your group for one final evening meal in a cosy Shetland pub.
Day 5 - Eshness
Today, travel via private minibus to Eshaness for an enjoyable coastal hike. Eshaness has it all – crashing waves, dramatic sea cliffs and history galore. While you’re enjoying the scenic views, keep an eye out for the seabirds, seals and otters that call this area home. You’ll then return to Lerwick mid-afternoon in time to catch the overnight ferry back to Aberdeen. Once again, you’ll be able to enjoy some rest and relaxation in your designated reclining ‘sleeping pod’.
Day 6 - Lerwick to Aberdeen
On your arrival in Aberdeen at approximately 7am, your Shetland Islands adventure will come to an end. If you would like to spend some time in Aberdeen, we will be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-05-202424-05-2024AUD $ 2,975-
09-06-202414-06-2024AUD $ 2,845-
23-06-202428-06-2024AUD $ 2,810-
14-07-202419-07-2024AUD $ 2,890-
21-07-202426-07-2024AUD $ 2,810-
04-08-202409-08-2024AUD $ 2,865-
11-08-202416-08-2024AUD $ 2,810-
18-08-202423-08-2024AUD $ 2,710-
25-08-202430-08-2024AUD $ 2,735-
08-09-202413-09-2024AUD $ 2,895-
27-04-202502-05-2025AUD $ 3,085-
11-05-202516-05-2025AUD $ 3,085-
18-05-202523-05-2025AUD $ 3,085-
08-06-202513-06-2025AUD $ 3,085-
22-06-202527-06-2025AUD $ 3,085-
06-07-202511-07-2025AUD $ 3,085-
20-07-202525-07-2025AUD $ 3,085-
03-08-202508-08-2025AUD $ 3,085-
17-08-202522-08-2025AUD $ 3,085-
31-08-202505-09-2025AUD $ 3,085-
14-09-202519-09-2025AUD $ 3,085-
28-09-202503-10-2025AUD $ 3,085-

Accommodation

Guesthouse (3 nights),Overnight Ferry sleeping pod (2 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,Overnight Ferry,Taxi and On foot

Map