Shetland Attractions

Here we aim to provide you with some information and links about the array of places to visit in Shetland.  There is something to suit everyone whether you have a specific interest in Wildlife, Knitting, Archaeology or just wish to explore our isles and see what a Shetland holiday has to offer.  We shall begin with Lerwick and then go North, South, East and West.

Lerwick, Shetland's capital

Gulberwick

Scalloway

Tingwall

Trondra

Burra

Gannet Feeding Frenzy. Photo by Brydon Thomason

East

North Isles

To Access the North Isles you need to use the Inter-Island Ferries.  The table below details the time taken to travel between ferries however you may want to plan a later ferry so you can take your time and enjoy the sights and attractions.

From To Minimum Time required Comments
Lerwick Toft (Mainland ferry terminal) 40 minutes drive Need to be at ferry 10 minutes before departure
Toft Ulsta (South Yell ferry terminal) 20 minute sailing Keep an eye out for porpoises, killer whales & sea birds, they often make appearances  
Ulsta (South Yell) Gutcher (North Yell) 30 minutes drive Time is for driving straight to ferry.  You can spend an hour or more taking your time.
Gutcher (Yell) Belmont (Unst) 10 minute sailing Again keep your eyes peeled for marine widlife.
Yell / Unst Fetlar 25 minutes sailing The ferry alternates between Yell and Unst for sailing to Fetlar.  Make sure you get the right ferry or you will have a fair detour.

Shetland Nature

Otters. Photo by Brydon Thomason Shetland Nature is a wildlife tour company based in the North Isles. They organise guided tours to see birds and sea mammals in their natural habitat.  For full details or guide to meet you anywhere visit www.shetlandnature.net

Yell     

Unst    

(Britain’s most northerly island and home to one third of our Shetland Ponies)

Fetlar  

The Garden of Shetland

Northmavine

Lunnasting and Delting

Whalsay

To get to Whalsay you need to catch an inter-island ferry. It departs from Laxo or Vidlin (30 minute drive from Lerwick) and takes 25 minutes.

West

South

Cunningsburgh

Sandwick

Mousa

Bigton

Loch of Spiggie

Quendale

Boddam

Sumburgh

Geopark Shetland

In September 2009 Shetland was accepted into the European and Global Geoparks Networks in recognition of its internationally significant geological heritage. Shetland is more geologically diverse than any similar sized area in Europe.