TOURS
NORTH SHETLAND MAINLAND
A trip to the north of the Shetland mainland takes us though most of the Shetland mainland. Leave Lerwick and drive to the west coast of the islands, where we will visit the old village of Scalloway, and see the castle, the local museum and the Shetland bus memorial, and learn about the history of Scalloway.
Heading north, we will pass though the Tingwall (place of the parliaments) where we will hear about Shetland’s Viking heritage, and then on to Sandwater and the Lang
Kames, home to the great Viking Energy wind farm.
Voe is the next village along the road, followed by Brae, with Frankie’s famous fish and chips. We then cross Mavis Grind, where Shetland is so narrow, it is possible to stand on the road and through a stone in the North Sea, and then another into the Atlantic Ocean.
All the way north, there are photo opportunities and discussion points-I prefer dialogue to monologue, and am just as interested in hearing my guests talk about
their interests as in sharing my own.
When we arrive at Eshaness lighthouse, you are in for a real treat, as I will take you to see the Kirn o d Slettans, the side vent of an Eshaness volcano, now a blow hole
for the ocean breakers, and then to my favourite photo spot for cliff scenery. We can then take a clifftop walk, and long or short as you wish. The long option takes in the astounding Grind o d Navir, the Hols a Scrada, watermills and the broch a Houllan.
We will also visit Hamnavoe and see Joanny Notions House, and Stennes, where the great Haaf Station was. There is also a delightful local museum at Tangwick haa, plus Breiwick café, where the views from the windows are stunning.
All option, 6 hours, can be reduced to four with no walk, and fewer side roads
WHO
Up to 4 participants
WHEN
All year
COST
£400 up to 5 Hours
£600 up to 7 Hours
SOUTH SHETLAND MAINLAND
We will leave Lerwick by the South Road, passing Clickhimin Broch, and iron age fort(free entry), then carry on through Sound, past the observatory, from which daily weather balloons are sent up to the stratosphere.
On our way south to Sumburgh head, we will pass Gulberwick/Gulbera’s Bay, where there is an excellent chance of seeing ponies, and we will discuss Shetland
placenames, all of them Norse in origin.
Passing through Cunningburgh(Koenigbroch, the King Broch, now just remembered in the name, and on to the Mousa viewpoint, where we will look across the sea to the island of Mousa, and have a view of a complete Broch, the only one of the many which were built over 2000 years ago, and discuss their origins.
Sumburgh head is our next stop, and there, there is a visitor centre, spectacular cliffs, the chance of spotting whales, and from mid April till the beginning of August,
nesting Puffins, up close and personal. There are also a great range of other wonderful seabirds to be seen.
From there we head for nearby Jarlshof, and archaeological site of world importance, 4500 years of continuous occupation, from the first arrival of Neolithic people in the islands, to the Stewart Earls at the end of the 16 th century.
Turning back towards Lerwick and going up the west coast of the south mainland, there will be a pause to view Rerwick beach, a famous lying up place for Gray and Common Seals.
Then it is on to St Ninians Isle, where an amazing Celtic treasure hoard was discovered in the 1950s. I will tell you the story as we stroll over the pristine white sand spit which ties the island to the mainland.
The return trip passes through Hoswick, with the option of taking tea and cakes in the visitor centre, seeing the displays, and shopping nearby knitwear and jewellery businesses. Also Sandwick and Fladdabister, then back to your starting point
This is a 4-5 hour tour
WHO
Up to 4 participants
WHEN
All year
COST
£400 up to 5 Hours
£600 up to 7 Hours
SHETLAND NORTHERN ISLES
A full day trip, but very rewarding. I will pick you up at your hotel, guest house, or ship. Or pretty near anywhere you choose. We then drive to Toft and catch the ferry to Yell.
Exploration of Yell starts at the Burravoe Haa Museum, a wonderful resource for local history. Tea, coffee and home bakes there if desired, then we drive up the east
side of Yell, to mid Yell, and then cross over to visit the Herra, a beautiful spot, redolent of history.
North then, to Cullivoe and Gloup, with a visit to the Gloup Disaster memorial. There I will tell you all about the Haaf fishing and it’s harsh conditions and extreme danger.
Cross to Gutcher to catch the ferry to Unst.
Unst has so much to see, we really have to pick and choose, but must sees include
Lund medieval chapel, Muness castle, Burrafirth, Broch and Viking longhouse at the Westing, and Saxaford for a view of Muckle Flugga. Teas and snacks are available at Victoria’s Tea Room and the Final Checkout, but for best use of time, it might be
advisable to bring a packed lunch.
Pick up 0800, Toft ferry 0915, Gutcher Ferry 1200, Belmont Ferry 1700, return to base 1800.
Cost: 10 hours @ £75 per hour, plus ferry fares and entry fees(both trivial)
WHO
Up to 4 participants
WHEN
All year
COST
£400 up to 5 Hours
£600 up to 7 Hours
CROFTING TOUR
This tour will be an introduction to crofting, which is the name given to a system of landholding which prevails in Shetland. It was traditionally small scale, and based on the in bye holding plus rights in the common grazing or scattald.
I am very well qualified to take for a look at how it was done, plus explain it, because I was born in a croft house, and am still crofting now.
We would set out at a time agreeable to you, and then make a journey away up north ending at Fethaland, which is the most northern point of mainland Shetland.
On the way we would pass through the Lang Kames, on through Voe and Brae, and through Sullom in Northmavine. Northmavine is the most northerly Shetland mainland parish, and has been home to both sides of my family, as far back as we can trace.
From Sullom, where as well as crofts and crofters, we will have a view of Sullom Voe oil terminal, we will head north and west, to Eshaness, where we can walk the
magnificent cliffs to the Hols a Scrada and on to the Grind of the Navir, plus the Broch a Houlland and ruins of ancient water mills. There is also a very good local
museum in Eshaness, where I can illustrate much of what I tell you. Then, keeping the west, Heylor, along Ronas Voe and Ollaberry where our family
crofts are, and on to North Roe and Fethaland, to see the ruins of the great haaf fishing station which was there.
From there, we will return to your accommodation,
but I would hope to have spoken to crofters, shown you croft livestock and described the history and the present economy of Shetland.
Time 5-8 hours dependent on whether the area north of Eshaness is visited
WHO
Up to 4 participants
WHEN
All year
COST
£400 up to 5 Hours
£600 up to 7 Hours
WEST SHETLAND MAINLAND
“Go West Young Man”. So said Horace Greeley, famous 19 th Century American author.
Shall we do likewise.
Much less toured, due to lack of turning places for buses, and probably rest rooms, “Wast Ower” is wonderful small group touring territory.
What follows is just one possibility, there are many more. Leave your accommodation. Drive over to the West side of Shetland, passing Wormadale, Kalliness, Shetland Jewellery, Tresta, and on to visit the Scord of Brouster, where a Neolithic village was excavated, then on to the mysterious Staney Dale Temple, a unique large building from the early Bronze Age.
It is almost certainly a large house, built for a chief of the period, and is quite unique in Shetland archaeology to date.
It would be a pity not to take a look at Watsness, for a wonderful few of the Atlantic Ocean out towards Foula. After that, Sandness with the Mills a Huxter and the delightful old settlement of Melby.
There are many other options on the west, much history, scenery (the west coast of Shetland is much the most spectacular due to the endless pounding of the unfettered Atlantic ocean.
So a minimum tour would be 4 hours, but we could easily spend eight there. When I understand your interests, I would send you a proposal.
Time: 4-8 hours
WHO
Up to 4 participants
WHEN
All year
COST
£400 up to 5 Hours
£600 up to 7 Hours
SHETLAND PHOTO TOUR
There are great photo ops on every one of my guided tours, but this tour is especially designed for photographers who love taking photos as much as they love experiencing nature and good images.
In conjunction with my friend and colleague at Aperture Shetland, we will visit a variety of locations which offer excellent photo opportunities of local flora, fauna and wildlife.
Bring your own food, water, and photo equipment.
WHO
Up to 4 participants
WHEN
All year
COST
£450 up to 5 Hours
£650 up to 7 Hours