Self Drive Shetland Trip

Day 1 Aberdeen -Lerwick (-/-/-)

Notes

Self Guided Trip
Overnight Ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick
Take your own car under 2.2m
Inside 4 Berth Cabin

Overnight in Lerwick

Day 2 Lerwick (B/-/-)

You will enjoy your first day in Lerwick .This capital of the Shetland Islands is located 60 degrees north between Norway and the north coast of Scotland and is the perfect starting point for exploring the rest of Shetland. Authentic knitwear a locally made crafts and gifts are easy to come by in town that is well served by independent shops and there is a good selection of bars. restaurants, cafes, and takeaway outlets.

The small boat harbour and Victoria pier areas are hives of activity during the summer months. Yachts, pleasure boats, and cruise ships are frequent visitors, and this is the main departure area for boat trip operators and the venue for sailing races and regattas.

Overnight in Lerwick

Included: bedroom and breakfast

Day 3 Gulberwick and Quarff , Lerwick (B/-/-)

You will have fantastic day searching for puffins and meeting Shetland Ponies.

In search of puffins and ponies

This day out takes you to the South Mainland of Shetland. You will pass through the villages of Gulberwick and Quarff where you will see evidence of Shetland’s glacial past.

A little further on you will branch off the main road and take in the beautiful coastal scenery of Fladdabister. Re-joining the main road, you will continue south and stop at a viewpoint from where you can see the island of Mousa.
Heading further south, you will branch off the main road to the west coast and enter the village of Bigton. Here you will stop at St. Ninian’s Isle, which connects to the mainland by a narrow beach called a tombolo. St. Ninian’s Isle is famous for its Pictish treasure which was discovered in 1958. This stop will also take in a visit to Bigton farm with an opportunity to see Shetland ponies. Staying on the side roads along the west coast you will stop at Rerwick beach.

After this, you will re-join the main road again and head south to Sumburgh, the southernmost point of mainland Shetland. Sumburgh Head is a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Nature Reserve. You can see many different seabirds during the summer breeding season. The favourite is puffins, and you are almost certain to see them in May, June, and July.

After lunch, you can take a relaxing drive back to Lerwick.

Overnight in Lerwick

Included: bedroom and breakfast

Day 4 Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head, Lerwick (B/-/-)

On this day you will explore southwards through rural townships and coastal scenery to the archaeological site of Jarlshof, where you’ll discover five thousand years of Shetland’s history.

Then you will discover the ‘seabird city’ of Sumburgh Head, guillemots, shags, kittiwakes, and puffins all live there. Then you will return north to Hoswick Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre displays textiles, weaving machines, and old radios. Next door is two knitting shops, one traditional and one with contemporary designs.

You will enjoy the mosaic of islands, caves, cliffs, wildflowers, and sheep farms, it’s clear you’re somewhere special.

Overnight in Lerwick

Included: bedroom and breakfast

Day 5 Yell and Unst, Lerwick (B/-/-)

On this you can travel to the far north of Shetland to Yell and Unst.

From Toft, a ferry crossing to Yell, 2nd largest of the Shetland Islands. Look out for otters and whales – often seen in these waters.
On Yell you can visit Burravoe with its 17th Century Old Haa, now a museum. Continuing north we reach Gutcher and catch our second ferry to Unst.

On Britain’s most northerly island, we explore Muness Castle, built by the notorious Laurence Bruce.
In Baltasound, you can post a card from the most northerly Post Office in Britain – with a special postmark stating this. Have a seat in the world’s most famous bus shelter.

In Haroldswick, Unst Heritage Centre depicts island life over the years, while Unst Boat Haven, with its collection of small boats, tells the long story of fishing in these northern waters.

Driving up SaxaVord, Muckle Flugga lighthouse comes into view, the final outpost of Britain. From here are stupendous views over northern Shetland.

Before heading back to hotel, drive to beautiful, sandy Norwick beach where a section of Oceanic crust has pushed up to expose the ancient seabed.

Finally, it’s down the west side of Yell, to the mainland, and back to Lerwick.

Overnight in Lerwick

Included: bedroom and breakfast

Day 6 Lerwick- Aberdeen

After a great holiday and a great night sleep, you will take a ferry back to Aberdeen.

Notes

Overnight Ferry from Lerwick to Aberdeen
Take your own car under 2.2m
Inside 4 Berth Cabin

Included: transport, room only

If you would like to extend your holiday, please get in touch with us and we can arrange that for you !