Shetland Islands

My family, for some reason, has always been into the Shetland Islands, although we’ve never been there. We have three Shetland Sheepdogs, and will be getting three Shetland ponies soon.

I’d definitely like to go here someday.

Well I have only been once but I had to give this the title of my first time because I am going back. It was the most gloriously rugged place but begging to be visited in the spring and summer when the wildlife is at it’s peak and the wonderful historic sites were open.

This trip though was to see the Viking festival of Up-Helly Aa C has always wanted to go and so this was the year and it was a very worthwhile experience. Not as spiritual as I think we hoped but exciting, a wonderful spectacle and a good laugh. Though you must make sure you get into one of the halls to really experience it, and pick up a copy of shetland life as many of the squads ‘shows’ are related to current affairs on Shetland.

amazing shetland.my job,my home was there for a half of year…i have been all over shetland.nice place to have job and house and famillyyy.realyy safe :)

Been once it was enough

The first time I went to the Shetland Islands we arrived in Lerwick with Atlantica, an old sailing ship which during summertime takes 20 or so teenagers learning how to sail for a two week education. The whole experience was one of the best things I’ve ever done, and the Shetland Islands were probably the calmest beautiful place I’ve ever visited.

I spent several days up there exploring the southern part of the main island. It was december, so it was not the best time of year to be taking a holiday.

Just spent 2 wonderful weeks in Shetland. One week based in Lerwick and mooching around the South Mainland, one week in Vidlin looking at North Mainland. Friendly people, a completely different pace of life, stunning scenery, birds, seals and places with near silence – no jets and no cars, just the sounds of birds, trees and wind.

Of course, the weather isn’t exactly equatorial… rain, wind, wet, hail, and a few sunny days – ‘though apparently it was a particularly bad summer this year.

Feel free to ask questions.

Fucking amazing.

The UK’s stunning northerly secret – but beware the wind!