"Shetland Islands - History and Nature Together" Top 5 Page for this destination Shetland by kathymof

Shetland Travel Guide: 202 reviews and 462 photos

The Shetlands are the most northerly group of islands in Great Britain. It is composed of about 100 islands and about 15 of these are inhabited. Ferries link many of the islands but reservations are a must. The locals laugh when they say they have 20,000 residents and 230,000 sheep. They are not kidding. But there are also lots of Shetland Ponies, sea birds and sea life. In many ways the Shetlands have closer cultural ties to Norway than to Great Britain. They featured heavily in the underground movement during WWII with their participation in what has come to be known as the "Shetland Bus". It is a great place to combine a love of archaeology and nature. Local history goes back several millennia and birding is out of this world.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Full of natural beauty, wildlife and archaeology
Cons:If you don't like the pros, there isn't much for you here
In a nutshell:Beauty, wildlife and friendly people

Last visit to Shetland: Jun 2003
Intro Updated Feb 24, 2005
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Reviews (15)

Water draining into trench in peat cutting area - Shetland

Peat Cutting in Shetland Things to Do (11)

Some people in Shetland still heat their homes with peat. There are vast peat cutting areas where families have... more travel advice

Visit abandoned churches and graveyards Things to Do (11)

There are abandoned settlements throughout Shetland. Many of these are due to the Clearances that also had a major... more travel advice

Botany Things to Do (11)

There is a wide variety of wild flowers growing in Shetland. Some are very common while others, such as Frog Orchid and... more travel advice

Sea bird colony north of Hermanness Nat Reserve - Shetland

Go Bird Watching Things to Do (11)

The birding is out-of-this-world in Shetland. There are large breeding colonies of sea birds that can be seen from land... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Local airports

Hotels (2)
See All Sumburgh Hotel

Comments (16)

cpiers47 Mar 4, 2009 at 7:47 PM Report Abuse

This looks like a marvelous place! Thanks for all the details and great tips.
jumpingnorman Feb 17, 2009 at 8:54 PM Report Abuse

That's nice if the Shetland ponies are all over the isalnd, must be a stunning sight...will keep this place in mind...
hunterV Jan 15, 2009 at 5:54 AM Report Abuse

Hi, Kathy! Thanks for your story!
RickinDutch Dec 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful tips. Looks a lot like the Aleutians but with better looking horses. Birthday greetings from Alaska!
AlbuqRay Aug 11, 2008 at 7:30 PM Report Abuse

Excellent, well-written tips. I am not a birder but I do like wildflowers. Shetland really is my kind of place! Maybe I have a genetic connection.
nora_south_africa Apr 7, 2008 at 11:05 AM Report Abuse

wow I love birds.. looks like a wonderful place
Sininen Dec 29, 2007 at 9:11 PM Report Abuse

Kathy, this is an absolutely wonderful page! I've always wanted to go to Shetland, but you know there are so many places to visit...maybe one day. Happy Birthday from Finland!
Trekki Jul 21, 2007 at 3:58 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic :-)) Yes, I also should go to the Scotish islands one day and Shetlands are about my places :-) And if I even can see these cute puffins :-) Marvellous plants ! And I had a good laugh about poor Kamakazi sheep.
850prc Jul 16, 2007 at 1:02 PM Report Abuse

Incredible scenery. Nice and unpopulated, too...sounds like my kind of place. Love all of the old abandoned churches and cemetaries, etc.
diosh May 11, 2007 at 10:53 AM Report Abuse

What a place!Check out my sister's blog on my homepage and her photos of The Outer Hebrides and St Kilda.You might like that area too.Diana.