"The Shetland Islands" Top 5 Page for this destination Shetland by TomFoolery

Shetland Travel Guide: 202 reviews and 462 photos

The Shetland Islands lie off the North East coast of Scotland, some 60 miles North East of Orkney, and 187 miles South West of the Faroe Islands. This sounds remote, but in previous centuries when travelling by boat was considerably easier than travelling across land, Shetland's place in the the North Atlantic made it a place of considerable strategic and trading importance.

Lying at a latitude of 60 degrees North, they are as far North as the Southern tip of Greenland, although the gulf stream keeps average temperatures above freezing even in the winter months.

The total population of the islands is 22,000, with over 7,000 living in the capital Lerwick, which is the only town of any size on the islands. There are over 100 islands in total, Mainland is by far the largest and is where most of the population live.

North Sea oil brought prosperity to the islands in the 1970s, a lot of which was invested in sports and leisure facilities. Even some of the smaller villages have impressive leisure centres.

The islands are almost completely treeless, due to the strong winds the islands experience. The fastest wind speed recorded anywhere in Britain (192mph) was on Shetland.

Shetland Ponies - perhaps the most famous residents of Shetland.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A very peaceful and traditional place
Cons:Expect plenty of rain and strong winds

Last visit to Shetland: Jun 2005
Intro Updated Sep 3, 2005
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Reviews (11)

Car Ferries Transportation (3)

Car ferries connect the main islands of Shetland. There's usually a pretty frequent service (by that I mean perhaps 1 or... more travel advice

Clickimin Broch Things to Do (4)

Not quite as well preserved as Mousa Broch, but well worth a visit is Clickimin Broch, just outside Lerwick. more travel advice

Mousa Broch Things to Do (4)

The island of Mousa lies just of the coast of Mainland, a few miles south of Lerwick. It is home to the best preserved... more travel advice

Leaving Aberdeen on the Lerwick bound Ferry - Shetland

Getting to and from Shetland Transportation (3)

Your main options are flying or getting a ferry. British Airways fly regularly from several Scottish airports, with... more travel advice

Comments (5)

lou31 Dec 10, 2007 at 1:05 AM Report Abuse

Your tips were very helpful. I am considering a trip there next year. Your pics were very good and thanks for sharing...
Rusket Sep 28, 2006 at 7:33 AM Report Abuse

Useful and interesting tips, thank you for sharing!
basstbn Feb 21, 2006 at 11:05 AM Report Abuse

What a neat place. Enjoyed your page.
roamer61 Jan 5, 2006 at 5:43 AM Report Abuse

I have always been mesmerized by both the Shaetland and Orkney Isles. Wonderful little page with great tips and nice photos too. Hope to get there one day.
rsleisk Aug 18, 2005 at 1:17 PM Report Abuse

Good pages and tips on Shetland... I can't wait to visit there. Greetings from Texas!