June 9, 2027 - June 19, 2027
A richly immersive journey for bird lovers, wildlife watchers and photography enthusiasts, this Shetland Islands tour is designed to showcase one of Britain’s most rewarding birding destinations at one of the most exciting times of year.
From puffins, gannets and seabird cliffs to rare migrants, dramatic coastlines, island culture and wild northern landscapes, this tour blends guided birding, scenic photography opportunities, local history and authentic Shetland hospitality.
Travelling with a small group, you’ll be accompanied in Shetland by Helen Perry, a qualified Shetland tour guide and ornithologist, bringing expert local insight into the birds, habitats, landscapes and stories of the islands.
This tour has been designed especially for bird and photography enthusiasts. June is an exciting time in Shetland, with breeding seabirds, long daylight hours, dramatic coastal light and the possibility of unusual migrants.
Expected photographic opportunities include:
While sightings can never be guaranteed, June can produce exciting birding surprises across Shetland.
Unst: White-billed Diver, Mandarin Duck, Pallid Harrier, Tree Pipit
Yell: White-billed Diver, Eyebrowed Thrush, Chiffchaff, Sparrowhawk, Crossbill, Canada Geese
North Mainland: Surf Scoter, Nightjar, Manx Shearwater, Honey Buzzard, Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Warbler
Central Mainland: Honey Buzzard, Hobby, Great White Egret, Osprey, Icterine Warbler
South Mainland: Black-winged Pratincole, Canada Geese, Smew, Glossy Ibis, Grey Phalarope
This is not simply a sightseeing tour with birds along the way — it is a deeply bird-oriented Shetland experience, designed to place you in the right landscapes, habitats and coastal locations for memorable sightings and photography.
With local ornithological guidance, carefully chosen walks, seabird locations, island excursions and time in varied habitats, this journey offers a rare opportunity to experience Shetland through its birdlife, wild places and northern light.
Your tour begins in Aberdeen, where the group meets for an overnight stay at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel.
This evening, enjoy an included welcome dinner at a local restaurant, giving everyone the chance to meet fellow travellers, talk birds and photography, and prepare for the island adventure ahead.
Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
Enjoy free time to explore Aberdeen at your own pace. Suggested highlights include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Footdee Village, Gordon Highlanders Museum or Girdle Ness Lighthouse.
Later, meet back at the hotel for your transfer to Aberdeen Ferry Terminal. Board the NorthLink Ferry for the overnight sailing to Shetland, with dinner and cabin accommodation included onboard.
As you leave Aberdeen Bay, keep watch from the deck — there may be opportunities to spot dolphins as you begin your journey north.
Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight NorthLink Ferry cabin
Arrive into Lerwick early this morning. Breakfast is served onboard before disembarking and joining your local coach.
Meet Helen Perry, your qualified Shetland guide and ornithologist, who will accompany the group through the Shetland programme.
Begin with an orientation tour of Lerwick, including the Shetland Museum, Fort Charlotte and The Lodberries — known to many as Jimmy Perez’s house from Shetland.
Enjoy a traditional Shetland lunch at No.88 before an afternoon walk around The Knab, a rewarding coastal area for birds, sea views and photography. Later, continue south with stops at Clickimin Broch and Mousa Viewpoint en route to Sumburgh.
Birding focus: First opportunities for migrants, coastal birds and photography around Lerwick and The Knab.
Possible highlights: House Martin, Turtle Dove, Crossbill, Black-winged Pratincole, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sumburgh Head Hotel
This morning is a major highlight for bird and wildlife photographers as you visit Sumburgh Head, one of Shetland’s most accessible seabird locations. Look for puffins, seabirds and dramatic cliffside views before visiting the lighthouse exhibition.
From here, enjoy a clifftop walk to Jarlshof Prehistoric Settlement for a guided tour, combining archaeology, landscape photography and sweeping coastal views.
After a light lunch at Hoswick Visitor Centre, with time to explore the museum and browse Shetland knitwear, continue to one of Shetland’s most iconic locations — St Ninian’s Isle. Walk across the spectacular sandy tombolo, a beautiful setting for wide-angle landscape photography, coastal textures and birdwatching.
Birding focus: Puffins, seabirds, migrants and coastal habitats.
Possible highlights: Atlantic Puffin, Red-backed Shrike, Hobby, Quail.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sumburgh Head Hotel
Today blends birding, local heritage and classic Shetland landscapes.
Visit the Crofthouse Museum and Quendale Water Mill before a scenic drive around Loch of Spiggie, with photo stops at Peerie Spiggie and time at the bird hide. This area is excellent for wetland species, migrant sightings and reflective landscape photography.
Continue with a gentle walk along Scousburgh Sands, followed by a pause at Rearwick Beach, a known place for seals to bask.
Lunch is at the Scalloway Hotel before visiting Scalloway Museum. Later, meet Carol’s Ponies before returning via Tingwall Valley, the historic seat of the Norse parliament during Viking rule of Shetland.
Birding focus: Wetlands, shorelines, migrants and open landscapes.
Possible highlights: Pink-footed Goose, Mediterranean Gull, Long-tailed Skua, Cuckoo, Siskin, Blackcap.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sumburgh Head Hotel
This morning, travel by boat to the uninhabited island of Mousa, one of Shetland’s outstanding wildlife and archaeology sites. Enjoy a guided walk around the island, including a visit to the remarkable Mousa Broch.
Mousa offers wonderful opportunities for birding, coastal photography and observing island habitats at close range.
After returning to the mainland, drive through Fladdabister to Lerwick for free time before dinner at Fjara.
Birding focus: Island habitat, seabirds, coastal species and photographic landscapes.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sumburgh Head Hotel
Today is one of the great birding and photography days of the tour.
Travel north through Shetland’s island chain, visiting West Sandwick Beach and the White Wife Cliffs on Yell before crossing to Unst, Britain’s most northerly inhabited island.
Visit Haroldswick Boat Haven and Unst Heritage Centre, followed by lunch at Da Otter’s Neuk.
This afternoon, walk through Hermaness National Nature Reserve to view the most northerly outcrop of the British Isles and the spectacular Gannet Cliff, home to thousands of gannets and gulls. This is a superb location for seabird photography, dramatic cliffscapes and wide northern seascapes.
Dinner is at Frankie’s, the UK’s most northerly fish and chip shop, before returning to Sumburgh.
Birding focus: Seabird colonies, northern island habitats and rare migrant potential.
Possible highlights: Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Warbler, Eyebrowed Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Northern Diver, Tree Sparrow, Osprey, Surf Scoter, Common Scoter.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sumburgh Head Hotel
Travel through Shetland’s North Mainland, stopping at Mavis Grind, the narrowest point of the British Isles, before continuing to Eshaness for a dramatic clifftop walk.
This is a magnificent day for landscape photographers, with rugged sea cliffs, Atlantic swell, textured rock formations and wide-open skies.
Visit Tangwick Haa Museum, followed by lunch at Braewick Café. Continue through the scenic area known as “The Alps” before walking to the Burn of Lunklet. There will also be a stop at the much-loved Original Shetland Cake Fridge.
Later, walk to the Neolithic Stanydale Temple before your final dinner in Shetland at The Dowry in Lerwick.
Birding focus: North Mainland habitats, seabirds, migrants and open-country species.
Frequently seen / possible highlights: Barnacle Goose, Goosander, Honey Buzzard, Manx Shearwater.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sumburgh Head Hotel
After checking out of Sumburgh Head Hotel, travel by ferry to Bressay and join the Noss Boat to visit the uninhabited island of Noss, one of Shetland’s most spectacular seabird destinations.
Noss is home to dramatic nesting seabird colonies and offers exceptional opportunities for bird and wildlife photography.
Key species may include: Northern Fulmar, European Shag, Black-legged Kittiwake, Common Guillemot, Razorbill and Black Guillemot, also known locally as Tystie.
Enjoy lunch at Speldiburn Café before meeting Chris Dyer, a local archaeologist and historian, for a driving tour of Bressay. You’ll also visit his croft for a sheepdog display — a wonderful insight into rural island life.
This evening, board the overnight ferry from Lerwick to Aberdeen, with dinner and cabin accommodation included onboard.
Birding focus: Major seabird colony, boat-based viewing, cliff nesting species and coastal photography.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight NorthLink Ferry cabin
Arrive into Aberdeen early this morning. Breakfast is served onboard before disembarking and transferring to the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel to drop luggage.
Rejoin the coach for a scenic tour to Royal Deeside, with possible visits to Crathes Castle, Balmoral and Braemar. Admission fees and lunch are at own cost.
This final day offers a relaxed contrast to the wild island landscapes, with castles, countryside and Highland scenery to complete your journey.
Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
Travel Insurance:
We strongly recommend you take out domestic travel insurance to cover any unforeseen disruptions, including ferry delays which may result in additional accommodation and meal costs.
Cancellation Policy:
If you cancel your booking, payments made are non-refundable unless we are able to resell your place. If we cancel the tour, all payments made will be fully refunded.
For questions or bookings: mail lesley@travelwithlesleywhyte.com