Thursday 12 August – Welcome to Aberdeen
Your Shetland journey begins in the Scottish city of Aberdeen, often referred to as the “Granite City” for its beautiful grey stone architecture.
Meet your fellow travellers this afternoon at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel, your comfortable overnight base before travelling north to Shetland. After time to settle in, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant — the perfect opportunity to get to know your travelling companions and hosts while enjoying Scottish hospitality and cuisine.
Accommodation: Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Friday 13 August – Aberdeen & Overnight Ferry to Shetland
Today is free to enjoy Aberdeen at your own pace.
You may wish to explore the excellent Aberdeen Maritime Museum, wander through the historic fishing village of Footdee (locally known as “Fittie”), visit the Gordon Highlanders Museum or travel out to Girdle Ness Lighthouse overlooking the North Sea.
This afternoon the group transfers to the Northlink Ferry Terminal to board the overnight ferry to Shetland. Settle into your comfortable private cabin before enjoying dinner onboard as the ship sails north through the North Sea toward the remote northern isles.
Watching the coastline disappear as you journey overnight toward Shetland is a memorable experience in itself.
Accommodation: Northlink Ferry – Private Cabin
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Saturday 14 August – South Mainland, Trondra & Burra
Wake this morning as the ferry arrives into Lerwick, Shetland’s charming harbour town. After breakfast onboard, your exploration of the islands begins immediately.
Today you’ll discover the islands of Trondra and Burra — two of only three islands connected to Mainland Shetland by bridge. These peaceful islands are renowned for their coastal scenery, quiet roads and strong fishing heritage.
Visit the beautiful Meal and Minn Beaches with their white sands and turquoise waters before calling into the Outpost animal sanctuary. Lunch today is at the popular Scalloway Hotel, overlooking the harbour in Shetland’s ancient capital.
This afternoon visit the Scalloway Museum to learn about the islands’ wartime and maritime history before meeting Carol’s famous ponies and travelling through the picturesque Tingwall Valley.
Later continue south to the dramatic coastline of Sumburgh where you’ll check into the welcoming Sumburgh Hotel for a relaxing three-night stay.
Accommodation: Sumburgh Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sunday 15 August – South Mainland Heritage & St Ninian’s Isle
Today explores Shetland’s fascinating crofting history and some of its most spectacular coastal scenery.
Begin with visits to the Crofthouse Museum and Quendale Mill, providing insight into traditional island life and rural Shetland heritage.
Enjoy a scenic drive around the beautiful Loch of Spiggie, one of the islands’ most important bird habitats, before lunch at the Hoswick Visitor Centre where there will be time to browse authentic Shetland knitwear and local crafts.
This afternoon walk across the famous natural sand tombolo to St Ninian’s Isle — one of Shetland’s most iconic landscapes. Surrounded by dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters, this is one of the most photographed locations in the islands.
Return to the Sumburgh Hotel for dinner this evening.
Accommodation: Sumburgh Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Monday 16 August – Mousa & Bressay
This morning travel by boat to the uninhabited island of Mousa, famous for its remarkably preserved Iron Age broch — one of the finest examples in Scotland.
Mousa is also renowned for its birdlife and untouched natural beauty, offering a true sense of Shetland wilderness.
A packed lunch is included today before an afternoon visit to Garth’s Croft on Bressay for a traditional sheepdog demonstration, showcasing the working farming traditions still central to island life.
Dinner tonight is at Fjara in Lerwick, beautifully positioned overlooking the waterfront.
Accommodation: Sumburgh Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tuesday 17 August – Jarlshof & Fair Isle
This morning visit the remarkable Jarlshof Prehistoric Settlement — one of Scotland’s most important archaeological sites. Occupied for over 4,000 years, Jarlshof reveals layers of human history from the Bronze Age through to Viking settlement.
Later board the ferry to remote Fair Isle, located halfway between Shetland and Orkney. The three-hour crossing offers wonderful opportunities for seabird and wildlife sightings.
Upon arrival transfer to the famous Fair Isle Bird Observatory for a unique two-night stay. This remote island is internationally renowned for its birdlife, rugged scenery and distinctive knitting traditions.
Accommodation: Fair Isle Bird Observatory
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wednesday 18 August – Exploring Fair Isle
Enjoy a full day discovering one of Britain’s most remote inhabited islands.
A guided group walk includes the South Lighthouse and the George Waterston Museum while offering opportunities to appreciate Fair Isle’s spectacular cliffs, birdlife and dramatic scenery.
The island’s isolation, simplicity and natural beauty make Fair Isle one of the true highlights of the journey.
All meals today are included at the Bird Observatory.
Accommodation: Fair Isle Bird Observatory
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thursday 19 August – Lerwick & North Mainland
This morning return by ferry to Mainland Shetland before visiting the spectacular Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, perched dramatically on the cliffs overlooking the sea.
Lunch is included at The Dowry in Lerwick before an orientation tour of Shetland’s capital, including Lodberrie, Fort Charlotte and Clickimin Broch.
This afternoon travel north through the islands to Brae, your base for the next seven nights.
Accommodation: Brae Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Friday 20 August – Eshaness & West Mainland
Today showcases some of Shetland’s most spectacular coastal scenery.
Enjoy a clifftop walk at Eshaness where towering sea cliffs, crashing waves and volcanic landscapes create one of the islands’ most dramatic locations.
Visit Tangwick Haa Museum before stopping for lunch at Braewick Café overlooking the Atlantic coastline.
This afternoon visit the Delting Galley Shed where the galley for the famous Delting Up Helly Aa festival is constructed. Continue across the “Alps” for a walk to the Burn of Lunklet and a stop at the original Cake Fridge — a uniquely Shetland tradition.
Dinner tonight is at waterside Da Haaf in Scalloway.
Accommodation: Brae Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Saturday 21 August – Sailing aboard the Swan
Spend today aboard the Swan, Shetland’s only Tall Ship and an important part of the islands’ maritime heritage.
Enjoy a memorable day at sea exploring Shetland’s coastline from the water while learning about the islands’ seafaring traditions.
Packed lunch included.
Accommodation: Brae Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sunday 22 August – Another Day on the Swan
A second full day aboard the Swan allows even more opportunities to enjoy Shetland’s extraordinary coastal scenery, marine wildlife and peaceful island atmosphere.
Packed lunch included.
Accommodation: Brae Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Monday 23 August – Whalsay
Travel by ferry from Laxo to the island of Whalsay, affectionately known as the “Bonnie Isle”.
Visit the Whalsay Heritage Centre and Pier House Museum before exploring the Cabin Museum and historic Lunna Kirk.
Packed lunch is included before dinner tonight at Frankie’s — proudly known as the most northerly fish and chip shop in the United Kingdom.
Accommodation: Brae Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tuesday 24 August – Unst: Britain’s Most Northerly Island
Today journey north by ferry to Unst — the most northerly inhabited island in the United Kingdom.
Visit Muness Castle before travelling to Haroldswick to explore the Unst Heritage Centre and Boat Haven.
Lunch is included at Da Otter’s Neuk before an afternoon walk at Hermaness National Nature Reserve, one of Britain’s finest seabird colonies with dramatic cliffs and incredible wildlife.
Later enjoy a scenic drive past Saxavord Spaceport and Skaw Beach before returning south for dinner.
Accommodation: Brae Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wednesday 25 August – Yell & Fetlar
Travel first to Yell where you’ll visit the Old Haa Museum and hear the story of the legendary White Wife of Otterswick.
Continue by ferry to the peaceful island of Fetlar for a scenic driving tour and visit to beautiful Funzie Beach.
Pause at West Sandwick Beach during the return journey through Yell before dinner tonight at the historic Busta House Hotel.
Accommodation: Brae Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thursday 26 August – Lerwick & Overnight Ferry
This morning visit the award-winning Shetland Museum to further explore the islands’ remarkable maritime, Viking and crofting history.
Enjoy a farewell lunch at No88 in Lerwick before free time for shopping, photography or independent sightseeing.
This evening board the overnight Northlink ferry back to Aberdeen with dinner and comfortable cabin accommodation onboard.
Accommodation: Northlink Ferry – Private Cabin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Friday 27 August – Royal Deeside
Arrive back into Aberdeen this morning before transferring to the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel to store luggage.
You’ll then enjoy a scenic day excursion through Royal Deeside including views of Crathes Castle, Balmoral and Braemar — some of Scotland’s most beautiful Highland landscapes.
A traditional pub lunch may be enjoyed along the way (own expense).
Tonight enjoy your final overnight stay in Aberdeen.
Accommodation: Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Saturday 28 August – Departure Day
After breakfast, check out of the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel and onward arrangements commence.
Thank you for joining us on this unforgettable journey through the extraordinary Shetland Islands.
Meals: Breakfast
