Travel With Lesley Whyte and R Robertson & Son are delighted to announce a collaboration, bringing a collection of authentic, immersive and fully escorted annual tours to the far north of the British Isles.
Travel With Lesley Whyte is recognised as one of Australasia’s leading boutique escorted tour operators, while R Robertson & Son have been the principal transport operator in the Shetland Islands since 1947. Together, we share a deep commitment to thoughtful travel, local expertise, and meaningful on-the-ground experiences.
We are pleased to confirm that our first tour is now open for bookings, with additional tours being released shortly.
Our 2026 & 2027 Annual Shetland Tours Include:
A Festive Journey to the Shetland Islands
Our Festive Journey tour is now available for booking, this much-anticipated tour captures the magic of Shetland during the festive season, blending winter landscapes, local traditions, and warm community experiences.
Craft & Food Tours
Fully immersive journeys exploring multiple islands across the Shetland Islands, featuring farm- and sea-to-plate cooking classes, hands-on craft workshops, and in-depth time across the island group — including the Mainland, Yell, Unst, Whalsay, and the remote and iconic Fair Isle.
Bird Tours
A must for bird lovers, these specialist tours will be hosted by a Shetland-based bird expert, offering exceptional access to the islands’ remarkable and often rare birdlife.
Looking Ahead to 2028
We are also developing additional tours for release in 2028, including:
Golf Tours
Featuring three of the most northerly golf courses in the British Isles, set against dramatic coastal landscapes.
History & Archaeology Tours
Shetland’s rich Viking heritage is just the beginning. These tours will explore Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age sites, as well as castles, wartime tunnels, and coastal defences, hosted by a historian and professional archaeologist.
What Sets These Tours Apart
Travel With Lesley Whyte’s travel philosophy was recently recognised with the 2026 award for New Zealand’s Best Boutique Escorted Tour Company, and this same philosophy underpins our Shetland collaboration.
All tours are:
- Fully escorted from Aberdeen by our dedicated Tour Escort
- Inclusive of return ferry crossings and all on-tour transport
- Operated in small groups of no more than 15 guests
- Inclusive of carefully selected accommodation
- No solo supplement — solo travellers enjoy their own room at no extra cost
- Fully inclusive, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, entry fees, and experiences
- Professionally organised by the team at R Robertson & Son and delivered by their highly experienced local drivers
These tours are designed for travellers who value depth over speed, local knowledge over surface sightseeing, and the comfort of knowing every detail has been thoughtfully taken care of.
We look forward to welcoming you to Shetland — a place of wild beauty, rich history, and unforgettable experiences.
