Shetland Islands
The Shetland (or Zetland) group lies 48 miles to the north – east of the Orkneys. Midway between lies the Fair Isle, a lonely island battered constantly beneath the assaults of the Atlantic and the North Sea. These two oceans join forces south of Sumburgh Head, where they Form the turbulent tideway which may be avoided by travellers taking the direct route from Aberdeen to Lerwick. Fair Isle gives its name to the patterned knitted wear for which Shetland is famous; in 1588 it was the scene of the wreck of El Gran Grifon of Armada fame, one of a host of vessels which have found an untimely grave on the rocky shores. The surface of the larger islands is hilly, the trend of the ridges north and south, broken here and there by narrow transverse valleys. The hills are covered to their summits with moorland, their dark surface contrasting strongly with the deep green of the valleys and cultivated coast lands, their monotony intensified rather than relieved by numerous small lochs- in winter sombre treeless wastes, in summer and autumn a medley of contrasting colours.
Lerwick hosts Up-Helly-Aa on the last Tuesday of January. A Norse Fire festival culminating in the burning of a Viking Longship. Tickets are limited and it helps to ask one of the locals.
The highest point in the islands is Ronas Hill, a mass of red granite, 1,486 feet high. From its summit a magnificent panorama of the whole islands may be obtained, and during midsummer the sun may be observed to sink slowly below the horizon, reappearing in an hour or two a little to the east. In June and July it is never really dark and it is this aspect of the islands, the 'simmer dim' the long twilight with its ever-changing shadows, that lingers longest in the memory. The coastline is broken and rugged. Long winding sheltered voes or inlets of the sea, bordered by cultivated fields, run far inland. Bold headlands jut out into the ocean, rising at times into lofty cliffs that for grandeur and sublimity have few rivals.
The Noup of Noss (592 feet), Fitful Head (928 feet), the Kame of Foula (1,220 feet), all sheer cliffs, form conspicuous landmarks. Lofty stacks, natural arches and deep caverns abound along the coast; some caves run inland for some distance and may reach the surface as pit-like openings, known locally as 'kirns' at the bottom of which the sea foams and swirls.
The Holes of Scraada in Eshaness is a well-known example, the Round Reeva in the Fair Isle is another. The small island of Papa Stour, owing to the columnar jointing of its rocks is honeycombed with caves.
Baltasound Hotel is located on the island of Unst in the Shetland Islands. It is a small hotel, suitable for both business travellers and tourists. The bedrooms are decorated in a log cabin style and provide a comfortable base from which to explore the island. The hotel has a lounge bar restaurant which serves lunch and dinner each day, including fresh local produce. The bar is open throughout the evening and children are welcome until 8pm.
Experience a homely and friendly welcome. Beautiful scenery, excellent coastal and hill walks, where you will see otters, seals and birds in peaceful and tranquil surroundings.The Boatsroom B&B is situated on a working croft in an idyllic rural location in Vidlin, Shetland. Our cosy well-appointed rooms have colour TV and tea/coffee making facilities, and we are sure you’ll sleep soundly in our comfortable beds after spending the day exploring Shetland’s rugged beauty. We also have Self Catering Accommodation available at Lunnaness, Vidlin, Shetland
Breiview Guest House enjoys a peaceful location overlooking Breiwick Bay in a quiet part of the outskirts of Lerwick, just twenty minutes walk from the town centre. All our spacious, clean and comfortable rooms are equipped with colour televisions and tea/coffee making facilities. Breakfast is available each morning and evening meals can be provided on request.
This friendly family-run B&B is situated in Scalloway, the Ancient Capital of Shetland, and enjoys wonderful views over East Voe. We have three freshly decorated and spacious en-suite bedrooms, complete with tea/coffee making facilities. Hairdryers and irons are also available. Our dining area and lounge are available for residents’ use, where you can relax and watch TV or read a book from our excellent selections.
Burkle & Quoy Croft provides bed and breakfast accommodation on Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands. The island lies between Shetland and Orkney and is ideal for a relaxing holiday with plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. The Croft keeps a range of livestock including Shetland sheep, Aberdeen Angus cattle, pigs and poultry, and grows organic vegetables.
Brae, Off A970, Mainland, Busta, Shetland ZE2 9QN Scotland
Enjoy a peaceful stay at Busta House, with its wonderfully sheltered location on the shore of Busta Voe, on mainland Shetland. Every room is named after the islands around the coast of mainland Shetland, and each has its own distinctive character. However, all enjoy the same first class facilities, including en-suite bathrooms, direct dial telephone with modem port, television, safe, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
36 King Harald Street, A969 Road, Mainland, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0EQ Scotland
Carradale is a roomy, comfortable Victorian-style home just five minutes' walk from the centre of Lerwick. It still retains some of its original features, such as the original pitch-pine woodwork, all of which helps to retain a sense of history. All rooms have full central heating, television, and tea and coffee-making facilities. We also have free on-street parking, and secure indoor storage for guests’ bicycles.
Culswick Crofthouse Apartments provide self-catering accommodation in Culswick on the West Mainland of the Shetland Islands. The apartments are situated with a traditional croft house which was recently renovated to provide modern and comfortable guest accommodation. There are two apartments, both on the ground floor and overlooking a green valley which leads to a spectacular beach.
Fort Charlotte is a centrally located guest house, overlooking Lerwick’s main street, with easy access to the ferries, bus terminal and tourist information office. We offer six comfortable guest rooms. Four are fully en-suite, while the other two have an en-suite toilet and wash-hand basin with a separate shower room. Every room benefits from central heating and has a colour television, hairdryer, radio alarm and refreshment tray.
Gilbraes Chalets offer self-catering accommodation within the croft settlement of Twatt, to the west of the Shetland Islands. The Chalets are surrounded by lochs, hills and beaches, and are in a perfect location for bird watching, fishing and hill walking. The accommodation is also surrounded by private gardens which are ideal for children to play in.
Tingwall, off B9074 Road, Veensgarth, Shetland ZE2 9SB Scotland
The Herrislea House Hotel is situated in the picturesque Tingwall Valley, just five minutes north of the main town of Lerwick. Each of our thirteen individually-designed bedrooms benefits from en-suite facilities, central heating, colour television, telephone, computer links and tea/coffee making facilities.
Highmount Cottage is located in the village of Hamnavoe on the Island of Burra, part of the Shetland Islands. The island is connected to Shetland Mainland by a bridge and the cottage is walking distance from many beaches and hill walking areas. A bus to and from the town of Lerwick departs regularly from the village, which has a grocers and a post office.
