Travelling with your dog by boat to Shetland is a pretty simple procedure. Northlink Ferries operates two vessels (the Hjatland and Hrossay) which depart from Aberdeen on the Scottish Mainland and Lerwick in Shetland. On alternative days, the ships will also dock in Kirkwall in Orkney. The best way to book your journey is online - follow the steps as normal via the booking page on the website and when it comes to the "Extras", scroll down and select the size of kennel you require for your dog to comfortably travel. Prices for each kennel range from £7.35 - £9.80 one way.
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NOTE: if you're a foot passenger, you must book one of these for your pet to travel in!
Dogs are not allowed on deck or in your cabin during sailing.
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ALTERNATIVELY, we've found the best way to travel with a dog on the boat is with a car. The kennels can be cold, noisy and possibly unsettling for your pet. So, we always choose the second option which is to keep them safely locked in their crate in the car. This means they can relax in peace, with the smell of their own bed for the duration of the trip.
(always remember to keep a window left partly open to provide ventilation for them!)
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Something you may want to consider if you decide to travel via boat with your pet... Remember, the journey from Aberdeen to Shetland is normally 14 hours long (on a day with good weather!) and your furry friend will spend most of this time locked away out of your sight. Northlink ferries can not guarantee permission will be granted to "check" on them during the trip, especially during rough sailings where travel up and down the decks are dangerous. This can be quite nerve racking when the vessel is bouncing over the waves and you can't get to your dog to make sure they're ok.
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I strongly advise that you read the information with regards to pet travel via the Northlink website before booking them on.
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The link to this is:
http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/on-board/travelling-with-pets/
Additionally, you can phone them on:
0845 6000 449
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Prior to the price hikes, travelling by plane with your dog was the most popular choice for many people as the journey time is a lot less in comparison to the boat (average 1.5 to 2 hours journey from the Scottish mainland). However, being faced with a £100 bill just to have your dog crammed into a freezing cold luggage hold along with everyone else's bags has, needless to say... put people off. This is even without considering the staggering price of getting yourself on and off the island along with the nice, welcoming parking charge you'll find yourself paying at the airport.
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Nonetheless, if you're feeling flush then the plane is an option for getting you and your dog on and off Shetland. Our local flights are operated by Loganair and they take off/land in Sumburgh down on the southernmost point of the mainland. To book your dog on the plane, you must firstly ensure that you have a travel container which meets Loganair's requirements - one of these conditions is that the cage must be IATA approved. You can download the full PDF regarding suitable containers and travel information by clicking the icon below (I'd recommend you read this carefully before purchasing a container - they're expensive so you don't want to get it wrong!):
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BOOKING: Once you have the appropriate container, you can then look at buying your tickets. First, you must book yourself on the plane before phoning Loganair reservations on 0844 800 2855 to book your dog on board (remember to have your booking reference to hand as you will need this).
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NOTE: there is limited space available in the hold for dogs on Loganair flights. You may wish to phone reservations FIRST to ensure there is a place for your dog before booking your flight and then securing your pets travel arrangements after (confusing, we know...)
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On your day of travel, you must take your dog and the container to the check in desk with you where they will be weighed and checked in as baggage. Your dog will have to go through security before being placed in the baggage hold.
The only method of public transport in Shetland is by bus and the service is provided for by "ZetTrans".
NOTE: it is worth noting that this company operates under many different organisations! So the bus you are looking for might have "John Leask and Son", "Johnson Transport", "Robinson Transport" or anything written on the side of it! However, buses are usually clearly marked with the route number on top and if you still feel stuck, just speak to one of the friendly drivers.
The official statement regarding the carriage of animals on local buses is:
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" ZetTrans does not have a policy covering the carriage of animals on public transport vehicles. The decision whether or not to permit animals on board vehicles is at the discretion of the individual service Operators"
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i.e. it is up to the many individual companies (or driver at the time) whether or not a dog is allowed on a bus. From experience, locals will tell you that they have NEVER known a driver to allow a dog on board! (unless it was a service dog).
So honestly, this method of travel must be avoided if you have your four legged friend with you.
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If you fancy some island hopping during your stay in Shetland, the only way to do this is by taking a ferry. These are operated by the Shetland Islands Council and depart at various locations heading for Whalsay, Yell, Unst, Bressay and many other fantastic locations which are well worth checking out!
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Dogs are allowed on the ferries, but they will not be permitted into the "Passenger's Saloons" (except for guide dogs). This is fine on a calm, sunny day (which is NEVER in Shetland) so if you're a foot passenger with a dog, expect an average 20 minute journey holding your balance for dear life over coarse waves in freezing cold winds battering you all the way (enjoy!).
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However, on experience I'd say if you're going to travel so far off the mainland then you'll have to have a car! The bus time-table is... awkward for people at most times (I have lost track of the number of tourists I've had to rescue) and realistically, there's no other way to properly explore such vast (and beautiful) places.
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Taking your car on and off of the ferries is easy and this way you can enjoy the journey with your dog in the comfort of your "own space" together (in the sheltered warmth with your favourite songs on the radio!).
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The islands are fantastic places to explore with your four legged friend - just picture endless roaming hills leading to places of real historial interest (vikings, brochs, world war crash sites, haunted houses!) and stunning untouched sandy beaches leading as far as the eye can see. You are spoiled for choice when it comes to "walkies" here!
Undoubtedly, the best way to properly explore Shetland is by taking to the road yourself in a car. I would firstly recommend that if you're travelling here with a dog, it is best to take your own vehicle on the ferry from the mainland (this way, your dog will be surrounded by its own, familiar smell throughout the trip and you wont have to worry as much about accidental damage to the vehicle). However, in circumstances where this is not possible, Shetland does have two hire companies which will allow your canine friend to travel with you:
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Grantfield Garage
North Road
Lerwick
ZE1 ONT
Shetland Islands
Phone: +44 (0)1595 692709
Fax: +44 (0)1595 692756
Email: admin@grantfieldgarage.co.uk
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Grantfield Garage is dog friendly however, they only have a number of vehicles available for dog owners. For this reason, they kindly ask that anyone planning a trip with them should always phone and explain that they're travelling with a four legged friend prior to booking to ensure that one of their dog friendly vehicles is available. They also want to make customers aware that if the vehicle is returned damaged or significantly dirty, there will be a charge for repairs/extra cleaning.
Please be respectful, keep a blanket over the seats to keep them clean and take care of the car
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Bolts Car Hire
26 North Road
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0PE
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Phone: (+44) 01595 693636
Fax: (+44) 01595 694646
E-mail: info@boltscarhire.co.uk
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Bolts Car hire is a lovely family run business providing a wide range of vehicles for rental. Offices are based at both Sumburgh and Lerwick with transfers available for incoming flights and the boat, meaning picking up a hired motor is easy. Bolts only allow dogs in vans (not cars or their motor-homes) and you must let them know at the time of booking that you intend to take your furry friend with you. We've never found this a problem - the vans are really easy to drive, are always clean and come in a range of sizes from small, three-seated berlingos to large transits.
Please respect that the van is property of the business, take care of it and return it clean
If you're looking for a safe way to get from A to B throughout Shetland, there are many dog friendly Taxi companies who will be willing to help you out.
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General Rules for Dog Friendly Taxis
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1: always tell the company at the time of booking that you have a dog with you - only certain cars allow for a dog to travel and this will ensure that the firm can direct the right cab for you to your location
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2: be respectful - don't expect a driver to pick up a dog covered in mud! Taxi firms put a lot of time and money into keeping their vehicles looking professional and clean at all times. Understand that a driver may not want his newly cleaned vehicle covered in paw prints and smelling of wet hound
