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.

Location 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: