Scotland's Shetland Islands
Experience Overview
Discover the many charms of the Shetland Islands on a small group adventure featuring dramatic coastlines, towering sea cliffs, wildlife and history. Stay in Lerwick – home to the Shetland Museum & Archives, a collection of exhibits that paint a colourful picture of medieval and modern times on the island. Scenic drives in a private minibus will take you to the rugged landscapes of Eshaness and Muckle Flugga – the most northerly inhabited point in the United Kingdom – where you can spot local wildlife like puffins, seals and otters. End your days in atmospheric pubs with friendly locals and experience the magic of the Northern Scottish Isles for yourself.
Highlights
- Escape the daily grind on the Shetland Islands – an archipelago in Scotland that lies between Orkney, Faroe Islands and Norway.
- Settle in Lerwick, filled with historic buildings to explore. This will be the base for your trip and you can enjoy a warm, cosy welcome at the end of each day.
- Tour the Shetland Museum, which celebrates local history with engaging interactive exhibits and world-renowned collections of historic artifacts and documents.
- Keep a lookout for puffins on a private daytrip to Hermaness Nature Reserve and Muckle Flugga Lighthouse – the most northerly point in the United Kingdom.
- Explore Eshaness and be captivated by the crashing waves, dramatic sea cliffs and history that makes this destination a Shetland Islands ‘must visit’.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1684
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle,Taxi and On foot
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: BWSL
Starts: Lerwick, United Kingdom
Finishes: Lerwick, United Kingdom
Duration: 6 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5),Accommodation: Guesthouse (5 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,825 ($471 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Scotland! Meet your leader and the rest of your group at 6 pm. If you arrive in Shetland’s largest town before then, maybe get your bearings with a stroll along the harbour. As a fishing village that was founded unofficially as a place to service Dutch herring fleets in the 17th century, Lerwick is home to many historic buildings and streets. Ask your leader for some dinner recommendations this evening – and maybe round your first day off in a pub listening to traditional Shetland music.
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast meet with your fellow travelers before heading out for a guided walking tour of Lerwick where you will see some of the more popular sites. 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.
Included Activities:
- Lerwick - Leader led Walking Tour
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Go on a short walk to the Shetland Museum & Archives, where your guide will take you around and explain the local history. 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 stand on the prehistoric site of Jarlshof, with ruins dating back to 2500 BC, and then continue to the Sumburgh Head lighthouse. After you learn about its history – from the early Iron Age settlers to the lighthouse keepers who kept sailors safe from harm – return to Lerwick for a free evening.
Included Activities:
- Lerwick - Shetland Museum Tour
- Sumburgh - Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head Hike
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, take a trip via private minibus 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. Keep an eye out for puffins and other seabird colonies along the cliffs as you take in the wild beauty of this remote location.
Included Activities:
- Shetland - Hermaness Nature Reserve and Muckle Flugga private trip
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel by private minibus again today as you head north to Eshaness for a hike. Eshaness has it all – crashing waves, dramatic sea cliffs and history galore. While you walk along the west coast, you might spot the seals and otters that call this area home. Geologists have determined that Eshaness was once a volcano — so look out for its volcanic origins on the coastline. When you return to Lerwick, perhaps head out with your group for one final evening meal in a Shetland pub.
Included Activities:
- Eshaness - Coastal Hike
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
With no activities planned, your adventure will come to an end after breakfast. If you would like to spend more time on the islands, reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
If you’d like extending your exploration of Scotland, consider joining one of our other adventures on mainland or Orkney Islands. Again, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Rosanna - Traveled, September 2023
Don’t take this trip. It’s not a 2 . Its a 5 and unless you are a fast walker you quickly become a pariah
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
Annette - Traveled, September 2023
My husband and I did a tour to Shetland mid September 2023. Everything about this trip was amazing. We had an excellent tour guide - Fiona. The activities were well planned. and we were lucky to have perfect weather and a great group of fellow travellers. There was a good mix of walks, hikes, museums, looking at nature, free time and custom bus tours. Be prepared for some walks that are long uphill and or on rocky terrain. We highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Michael - Traveled, July 2023
A great experience travelling around the Shetland Islands.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/30/2023
Joanne - Traveled, June 2023
Not the usual Intrepid standard. Disappointed by accommodation in Lerwick considering price of tour. Consider upgrading to a cabin on the overnight ferry. The highlights were day trips with Jill (from a local Shetland company) to Eshaness and Muckle Flugga, and seeing puffins up close.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/26/2023
Tracy - Traveled, May 2023
Being the first of its kind, it didn't accurately describe the type if activities too much hiking, level if fitness should be 3 not 2. Needed transport for around the place without us walking for ages to dinner etc in cold rainy weather. Would have liked more cultural visits eg crofts local artisans maybe a home visit? Also not much time for doing my own thing. But 6 days until long I guess. Mungo.. lovely guy but more suited to climbing, hiking tours.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2023
Jennifer - Traveled, May 2023
This trip was ok. The scenery was lovely. I loved seeing so many tiny lambs. The local bus driver and guide was lovely. Not a lot was included in this trip. Accommodations in Lerwick were lacking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/04/2023
Crystal - Traveled, May 2023
I loved visiting the Shetland Islands. I had been looking forward to this trip since we went to mainland Scotland and the Orkneys last year. The walks and sightseeing were terrific. It was very cold and windy at the northernmost point so dress warm for that day! We had a great group and leader. The Noss seabird watching boat trip on our first day in Lerwick was so worth it. We took lots of photos! It was a wonderful itinerary, and we enjoyed it so much.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/02/2023
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