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VisitShetland, Market Cross, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0LU, UK
Welcome to Shetland
About The Shetland Islands
The Wild Islands with a Warm Welcome...
Visit Shetland at anytime of year and you'll be enchanted by the rugged beauty of the landscape. Its dramatically changing colours and textures will take your breath away. Whether arriving for the first time or returning you can be sure of a great welcome.
Every year more visitors discover these surprising hundred islands at the top of Britain. And every year more and more of them discover one visit's nothing like enough. Shetland - where Scotland meets Scandinavia and the North Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Where the Shetland ponies come from; and the sweaters; and the Vikings.
Fair Isle Inner StacksLocation and Geography
Shetland lies 600 miles (960km) north of London. More than a hundred islands, just 15 of them inhabited, span the hundred miles (145km) between Fair Isle and Out Stack, the northernmost point of Britain.
This bustling archipelago of 22,500 people boasts abundant wildlife, a spectacular coastline and dozens of major archaeological sites. The 567 sq. mile (1468km²) county of Shetland is an entrancing mixture of Scotland and Norway.
Shetland Walking
For walkers, we have about 900 miles (1450km) of coastline and over 500 square miles (1294km²) of open countryside, most of it accessible to hikers.
People And Culture
Surrounded by fishing grounds and oil & gas fields, Shetlanders have enjoyed almost Scandinavian-style prosperity for the past quarter-century - as well as a largely unspoiled environment.
Our superb sports and leisure centres are the envy of other parts of rural Britain. The islands' vibrant cultural life includes internationally famous events such as the Shetland Folk Festival and the Up Helly Aa' fire festival.
Shetland's a friendly, welcoming community with a low crime rate; cars and houses are often left unlocked; you won't get mugged; and this is one place where it's still safe to hitch-hike.
Getting Here
It's easy to get to Shetland, thanks to regular ferries and air services from Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Faroe and Iceland.
Getting Around
Getting around could hardly be easier. A network of over 500 miles of well-maintained roads, inter-island ferries and bridges makes Shetland really easy to explore by car from Lerwick (pop. 8,000), the county town.
Accommodation
Shetland offers visitors a wide variety of value-for-money accommodation, from luxury hotels to camping barns.
Shetland By Numbers:
19 hours of midsummer daylight
138 sandy beaches
567 square miles of islands
639 miles of good roads
900 amazing miles of coastline
6,080 archaeological sites
6,000 years of history
22,000 people
46,000 gannets
200,000 puffins
Come up and see us all - sometime soon!
VisitShetland Survey
Have You:
- Previously visited Shetland?
- Not made plans to visit Shetland but would like to in the future?
- Tried to visit Shetland in the past but couldn't get travel or accommodation to suit your needs?
Complete our Online Survey to let us know about your experience
Feature
2009 Photo Competition
VisitShetland is pleased to announce the launch of their 5th annual photocompetition. This year's theme is 'Shetland's Wild Side'.
Advertising Feature
2009 Wildlife Holidays In Shetland
Shetland offers the best wildlife-watching in Scotland - FACT.
Over a million breeding seabirds, the highest density of Otters in Europe, regular sightings of Killer Whales and superb displays of rare sub-arctic flora. Our award-winning holidays offer everything from fully guided wildlife weeks and long weekends, dedicated birdwatching holidays plus photographic, walking and insight holidays.
Visit our extensive website www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk or call Shetland Wildlife on 01950 422483 for a choice of over 30 holidays!
Feature
Blue Sky Holidays
Don't miss the opportunity to join an art holiday experience with Blue Sky Studios this summer! There will be different locations for inspiration and the chance to use charcoal, inks, pencil and watercolour.Feature
Upcoming Event: Shetland Nature Festival
Shetland's 2nd Nature Festival is set to start this Friday until 12th July. Don't miss this opportunity to join a variety of specialised wildlife tours with local rangers, photography sessions and expert talks.
Feature
Geopark Shetland Celebrates Shetland Nature Festival
Building on the success of the launch of the Volcano Trail and Geopark Shetland website, Geopark Shetland is holding a number of exciting events to celebrate this years’ Shetland Nature Festival.
Feature
Shetland Museum and Archives seeks information on Emigrants for Hamefarin Exhibition
In 2010, Shetland will host a Hamefarin (homecoming), welcoming Shetlanders from all around the world back to their home islands. As part of the celebrations Shetland Museum and Archives is developing a special exhibition and are appealing for images and objects relating to Shetland emigrants. (Above photo: Laurence and Ester Ward on Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, August 1954)
Feature
Shetland in the Viking World: Exciting conference in Shetland this summer
Shetland Amenity Trust is to hold an exciting Viking conference, which will explore Shetland’s place in the Viking world, from the 16th - 19th July 2009.