Scotland's Shetland Islands

6 Days | Stunning coastal scenery and wildlife spotting in the Shetland Islands

3.6 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
NZD $2,903
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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 overview

Map of Scotland's Shetland Islands including United Kingdom
Start
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Finish
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
United Kingdom
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
BWSL
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • On Days 3 & 5 we are going to take coastal paths and hike between 5-8 kilometres/3-5 miles. Hikes are not demanding and follow established paths, but you will need a basic level of fitness and reasonably sturdy footwear to fully enjoy them.
  • Scotland can be cold at night throughout the year, especially at the start and end of the season. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions, including base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, waterproof clothes/umbrella and anything else that you think may be applicable

Itinerary

Map of Scotland's Shetland Islands including United Kingdom

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle, Overnight Ferry, Taxi and On foot

Accommodation

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

Activities
  • Lerwick - Leader led Walking Tour
  • Lerwick - Shetland Museum Tour
  • Sumburgh - Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head Hike
  • Shetland - Hermaness Nature Reserve and Muckle Flugga private trip
  • Lerwick - Overnight Ferry Lerwick to Aberdeen
  • Eshaness - Coastal Hike

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. The journey from Aberdeen to Shetland and vice versa is long (12.5 hours), involving an overnight ferry and taxis. This trip starts in Aberdeen in late afternoon (3.30pm in the waiting room at Aberdeen Ferry Terminal). The trip finishes in Aberdeen around 7am in the morning of Day 6, after the overnight ferry from Lerwick.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights in Lerwick, but not to overnight ferry nights, where single cabins are unavailable. Single supplement is also subject to limited availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. There is a separate optional upgrade (on request and subject to limited availability) for a two berth outside cabin on the ferry

Essential Trip Information

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Reviews

3.6 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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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
Review submitted 15 Sep 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.
Review submitted 09 Oct 2023

Michael · Traveled July 2023
A great experience travelling around the Shetland Islands.
Review submitted 30 Jul 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.
Review submitted 26 Jun 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
Review submitted 27 May 2023
Scotland's Shetland Islands
From
NZD $2,903