Shetland '15 the most northernlY amazing place ever
Introduction
Shetland is a shockingly gorgeous place, with stunning landscapes dominated by rock and sea. This archipelago of islands, plonked 60°N, are long and thin and surrounded to the east by the North Sea and to the West by the Atlantic Ocean.
The People
Don't let all the beauty fool you into forgetting that this is a real place where lots of people work and daily life is happening. As three headlines in a single edition of the Shetland Times report, there is "Algae in Spiggie", "Tourists on buses" and we need to "Be more tolerant with gulls". It is captivating stories like this that have made the Times the most read local paper, and I have to say, the printing quality is fantastic.
Perhaps there was more swearing than necessary in the show but personally, the profanity added to the very engaging performance.
- Shetland Times, p33, 31st July 2015
Places to Visit
The Shetland visitor guide is packed FULL of things to do and is written in incredible detail. There is also LOADS more literature avaliable in the Shetland Times bookshop. There are many museums, and informative boards and signs are posted pretty much everywhere on the islands.
There are only three things to do in Shetland, and you have already done one of them.
- Phil Laver (resident of the island of Trondra, Shetland)
Sadly for him, Phil was wrong and there is lots to do! There are some real gems amongst the walks, voes, cliffsides and crofts that are well worth exploring. The right to roam is also really big here, you are free to walk all over the place, but apparently this does not mean going into people's houses uninvited for a cup of tea...
Bonhoga Gallery
A beautiful gallery and cafe of scrummy local food set in the remote Scord of Weisdale. There is also a shop with expensive, but nice, things.
Local wildlife
Wildlife is in abundance from the instantly recognisable puffins and grey seals to the namesake pony and plethora of sea birds. There are also lots of farm animals to be seen and heard across the islands. The sheep especially sound like groups of humans screaming from a faraway hill...
Transport Links
People have been arriving in Shetland by boat since the Vikings, though today's tourists are a lot more friendly! In this modern age you can sometimes even arrive by plane - as long as there is no fog. Once you are here getting around Shetland is easy by car using the A970, but there is also a part time bus service. Many people love to walk and ride bikes around Shetland and there are boats you can catch to many of the more remote islands.
Shetland is an amazing place to visit, there is lots to do, but more importantly there is space to not do. Thanks for being so awesome Shetland - you rock!
Written by Andrew Guilder. Please note this publication has no affiliation to the Shetland Times (which is unusual in Shetland).