Shetland is an archipelago to the north-east of Orkney and mainland Scotland. It forms part of the division between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the east. The largest island, known as the Mainland, is the third-largest Scottish island and also the third-largest island surrounding Great Britain.
Shetland's scenery is spectacular, from rocky crags, fertile farmland, sand dunes and pebble beaches to stupendous cliffs. The sunsets are spectacular and the Northern Lights can be amazing. Shetland is a haven for all kinds of wildlife, as seen in its three National Nature Reserves, four RSPB reserves and 78 Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
There is evidence of settlements dating back to Neolithic times. The impressive Mousa Broch is over 2,000 years old and there are even earlier settlements. The influence of the Vikings is also evident in the Shetland dialect, on place names and at the annual fire festival, Up Helly Aa, held in Lerwick.
Things to See and Do
* Lerwick Town Hall
* Fort Charlotte
* Clickimin Broch
* Boat Trip to Noss
* Shetland Museum
General information
Cruise Season – March - Nov
Currency – Pound Sterling (£)
Language – English
Land Area – 1,466 sq km’s
Population – 25,000
Electricity – 2 vertical square pins and one perpendicular below British style
Time – GMT plus zero hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 44
Port Location – The main port is located in downtown Lerwick.
Transport Links – The main transport links to Shetland are to and from the Scottish Mainland by ferry or air. Northlink Ferries provide a daily passenger and vehicle service to Aberdeen which also calls in at Kirkwall in Orkney up to twice a week depending on the time of year. Smyril Line operate weekly ferries to and from Lerwick to Denmark, Faroe Islands, Norway and Iceland. Loganair provide the only scheduled passenger air service to the Scottish Mainland. This operates from Sumburgh Airport which is located 30 miles south of Lerwick. Flights operate to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Kirkwall and Wick. Wideroe provide a summer service to Norway Atlantic Airways provide a twice weekly summer service to London (Stansted) and the Faroe Islands.