 Clickimin Broch, Lerwick |  Clickimin Broch, Lerwick |  Clickimin Broch, Lerwick |
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Islands
Welcome to Bressay!
Bressay is the fifth largest island in Shetland (11 square miles) and home to around 350 people. To get here, you need to take a short 10 minute ferry journey from the terminal in Lewick (the boats run fairly regularly to and from here). Bressay is a wonderful place for walking and spotting wildlife. The "Ward of Bressay" in particular is a fantastic spot where on a good day you can see "the whole of Shetland". It may seem a small place, but you need to leave at least a full day to explore it!
NOTE: Bressay means "broad island"
Discover more about the island here:
Bressay
What to see and do in Bressay:
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The Ward of Bressay
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Welcome to Whalsay!
At only 5 miles long and two miles wide, Whalsay is one of Shetlands smaller islands but still home to around 1000 people. To get here, you need to take a 25 minute ferry journey from the terminal in Laxo (20 miles north from Lerwick). NOTE: the terminal may be changed to Vidlin due to bad weather or other circumstances. It is a fun little place to visit with picturesque scenes throughout and you can easilly spend a full day there exploring.
NOTE: Whalsay means "the island of Whales"
Discover more about the island here:
Whalsay
What to see and do in Whalsay:
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The Ward of Clett
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Welcome to Yell!
Yell is composed of 83 square miles of land (about 17 miles long by 6 miles wide), making it the second largest island after the mainland. About 1000 people live here and you can reach Yell by taking a 20 minute ferry journey from Toft (about 30 miles north of Lerwick). Yell is teaming with wildlife and said to be one of the best places to spot otters. It is also home to the "most haunted house in Shetland". Most of Yell is just hills - for miles and miles! But i'd still reccomend leaving at least a day to explore it.
NOTE: The Old Norse for Yell was "Gjall" meaning "barren".
Discover more about the island here:
Yell
What to see and do in Yell:
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The Windhoose (see "Folklore")
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The White wife (see "History")
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Welcome to Unst!
At 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, Unst stands proudly as the most northernly island in Britton - "the island above all others" with around 700 people living there. It is quite a journey to get here, but well worth the trip. You firstly need to take a ferry to Yell ("Ulsta") from Toft lasting 20 minutes, then drive across Yell until you reach a place called "Gutcher" (25 minutes away by car) where you catch another ferry to "Belmont" in Unst (10 minute journey).
Unst is famous for many things - its beautiful beaches, stunning panoramic scenery and various wildlife - but it is probably best known for its strong links to viking settlement.
With absolutely loads to see and do here, Unst is a very important location to put on your "to-do" list and certainly deserves at least a couple of days laid by on your trip to Shetland.
NOTE: The meaning of the name "Unst" is unknown, but it is thought to be of Pictish origin. In Old Norse the island was called "Ornyst" meaning "eagle's nest"
Discover more about the island here:
Unst
What to see and do in Unst:
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What to see and do in Fetlar:
Welcome to Fetlar!
Fetlar is Shetland's fourth largest island and home to around just 60 people! To get here, you must firstly take the ferry from Toft to Ulsta in Yell. Then, drive through Yell until you get to the ferry terminal at Gutcher (at the other end of the island). From there, the ferry can either take you directly to Hamars Ness in Fetlar or to Unst first before taking you there.
Although there isnt very many "activities" to do on the island, its a great place for watching wildlife and enjoying long peaceful walks. The island has been known as "the garden of Shetland" since norse times for its beautiful and rare wild flowers which grow there.
TAKE NOTE - THERE IS NOWHERE TO FUEL! And very few ammenities available... So remember to top up on supplies before you go!
NOTE: although the original meaning of the name "Fetlar" is unclear [like Unst and Yell, its thought to be of pictish origin], its old norse translation is "fetill" and means "shoulder-straps". This could be in relation to the unusual "Funzie Girt" (the wall which seperates the island) stating that that the islands are "strapped together"
Discover more about this island here:
Fetlar
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Welcome to Muckle Roe!
All the best people come from Muckle Roe - after all, thats where our pack leader grew up! Its a small island with a diameter of just three miles across and it's connected to the mainland via a bridge. The island is probably best known for its scenic walks, particularly around the "Hams of Roe". It also has a lovely beach with great views looking out towards the islands of Vementry, Papa Little and the west side of the mainland. As there are no amenities on the island, I'd reccommend combining your trip here with a stop off at one of the locations in Brae (see "villages" page) or even spend the night at Busta House - a fantastic dog friendly hotel with a facinating history! The local hall also hosts Sunday teas so keep an eye on local events pages to find out what weekends these are happening on
NOTE: the name "Muckle Roe" comes from the old Norse "Rauðøy Mikla" which means "Big Red", relating to the island's large red granite rock formations
Discover more about this island here:
What to see and do in Muckle Roe:
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Muckle Roe
Welcome to Fair Isle!
Lying half way between Shetland and Orkney at only 3 miles (4.8 km) long and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide, Fair Isle is the most remote inhabited island in the UK. Around 55 people live on the island which is probably most famous for its knitted pattern (seen commonly on woolen jumpers and scarves).
Fair isle is a peaceful little place with not much to do, but plenty of beautiful scenery and wildlife to admire. You can get here via two ways - by boat (from Grutness Pier, taking 2.5 hours) or by plane (from Tingwal airport, taking 25 minutes).
NOTE: the name "Fair Isle" comes from the old Norse "Fridarey" meaning "the island of peace"
Discover more about this island here:
Fair Isle
What to see and do in Fair Isle
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Welcome to Papa Stour!
Shetland's eighth largest island measuring around 2.2 by 1.9 miles, Papa Stour is truly a small gem bathed in natural beauty and filled with stories from its colorful historic influence. Once brimming with a population of around 380 at the turn of the 19th-century with the introduction of a new fishing station, the population has since decreased to a mere 20 folk now living there - with those remaining involving themselves in traditional crofting methods to survive. Access to the island is via a ferry from West Burrafirth which takes around 45 minutes. This is well worth the trip for views of the beautiful and unusual rock stack formations and an absolute must for wildlife enthusiasts.
NOTE: the name "Papa Stour" comes from the old Norse "Papey Stora" meaning "Big Island of the Papar" (Papar being a group of celtic monks). It is hence probable to assume that it was a religious settlement when the norse arrived.
Discover more about this island here:
Papa Stour
What to see and do in Papa Stour:
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Welcome to Muckle Roe!
All the best people come from Muckle Roe - after all, thats where our pack leader grew up! Its a small island with a diameter of just three miles across and it's connected to the mainland via a bridge. The island is probably best known for its scenic walks, particularly around the "Hams of Roe". It also has a lovely beach with great views looking out towards the islands of Vementry, Papa Little and the west side of the mainland. As there are no amenities on the island, I'd reccommend combining your trip here with a stop off at one of the locations in Brae (see "villages" page) or even spend the night at Busta House - a fantastic dog friendly hotel with a facinating history! The local hall also hosts Sunday teas so keep an eye on local events pages to find out what weekends these are happening on
NOTE: the name "Muckle Roe" comes from the old Norse "Rauðøy Mikla" which means "Big Red", relating to the island's large red granite rock formations
Discover more about this island here:
Foula
What to see and do in Foula:
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Welcome to Muckle Roe!
All the best people come from Muckle Roe - after all, thats where our pack leader grew up! Its a small island with a diameter of just three miles across and it's connected to the mainland via a bridge. The island is probably best known for its scenic walks, particularly around the "Hams of Roe". It also has a lovely beach with great views looking out towards the islands of Vementry, Papa Little and the west side of the mainland. As there are no amenities on the island, I'd reccommend combining your trip here with a stop off at one of the locations in Brae (see "villages" page) or even spend the night at Busta House - a fantastic dog friendly hotel with a facinating history! The local hall also hosts Sunday teas so keep an eye on local events pages to find out what weekends these are happening on
NOTE: the name "Muckle Roe" comes from the old Norse "Rauðøy Mikla" which means "Big Red", relating to the island's large red granite rock formations
Discover more about this island here:
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