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Shetland and its Outer Isles
Duration:
5 days
Activity Level:
Today's Price:
$1,645
We are sorry to inform you that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it has become necessary to reschedule this tour. Your safety and wellbeing are our utmost priorities, so we do hope you understand this enforced change of travel arrangements. A new date will be confirmed shortly. For more information, please read our full statement about the Coronavirus here. If you are booked onto this tour, you can get in touch with our friendly sales team on 800-782-0295, who are ready to help.
If you want to get away from it all, Shetland is the place to be. As close to Norway as it is to Scotland, Shetland is rugged and remote, with a raw natural beauty, a unique culture and wonderful wildlife. There are over a hundred islands here, only 16 of which are inhabited, each with its own individual character, and our tour offers the opportunity to visit four of them, providing a real taste of the diversity of this amazing archipelago, not to mention the simple pleasure of travelling by boats, both large and small, as the indomitable inhabitants of these islands have done for hundreds of years. We visit the little island of Mousa, whose Iron Age broch is the best-preserved example anywhere in the world, the Shetland Croft House Museum which gives an insight into a typical 19th century croft, while Jarlshof provides a unique archaeological time-capsule, spanning 3000 years of successive settlements. Finally we have a tour of the northernmost islands of Yell and Unst, a day of stunning seascapes and air so fresh it takes your breath away.
We will be cruising with Serco Northlink Ferries, whose purpose-built vessels, the Hrossey and the Hjaltland, which have set new standards for comfort and speed on this route. From the time you step on board you’ll appreciate that these ships have all the attributes of a mini-cruise liner. Your cabin will have its own shower/toilet facilities en suite and the ship boasts a delightful restaurant where you’ll spoil yourself with some delicious meals. There is also a comfortable bar and lounge.
What's included?
- Accommodation
- Services of a professional tour manager
- Comfortable coach travel throughout
- Meals - as per the itinerary
- Ferry crossings
Led by...
Clive Warsop Tour Manager
Clive Warsop is an environmental archaeologist who has lectured and tutored in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh and has excavated sites in both Scotland and France.
Today's Price
$1,645
Deposit: $100 Single supplement: $375
Tour highlights:
- Rich wildlife on the Island of Mousa
- 3000 years of archaeological history at Jarlshof
- Muness Castle – the most northerly castle in the British Isles
- The stunning sea cliffs of Noss
- Bobby’s bus shelter in Baltasound – surely the most famous in the world!
Tour details
| Dates | June 15 2020 - June 19 2020 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 days |
| Cost |
Today's Price
$1,645 |
| Activity Level | |
| Tour code | BSHI200615 |
Departure Points
| Location | Depart | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 1200 | 1300 |
| Edinburgh | 1315 | 1200 |
| Dunfermline | 1345 | 1145 |
| Kinross | 1400 | 1130 |
| Perth | 1415 | 1100 |
| Dundee | 1530 | 1030 |
| Arbroath | 1550 | 1010 |
| Montrose | 1610 | 0950 |
| Aberdeen | 1700 | 0900 |
Please note pick-up points are subject to minimum numbers and all timings are approximate and may be changed. They will be confirmed when the joining instructions are sent out, approximately ten days prior to departure.
June 15 2020: Itinerary
We depart from our designated departure points and travel to Aberdeen where we will join the Serco Northlink ferry (Hrossey or Hjaltland) for the overnight sailing to Lerwick (departs 19.00hrs in June and 17.00hrs in August). Accommodation is provided in comfortable 2-berth cabins with en-suite facilities. Dinner is served on board in the evening.
Meals include: Dinner
Hotel: Northlink Sea Ferry
We arrive early in the morning at Lerwick and after our full Scottish breakfast on board we will depart on a full day tour which begins on the South Mainland with a visit to the Shetland Croft House Museum. The house is a typical thatched croft house of the 19th century restored with traditional materials, low doorways and uneven floors and warmed by a peat fire. We then head for the southern tip of Mainland Shetland, where we visit the outstanding Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, with over 3 acres of remains, spanning 3000 years since the days of the Stone Age, including oval shaped bronze age houses, iron age broch and wheel houses, Viking long houses and medieval farmhouses.
This afternoon, we cross as foot passengers to the fascinating little island of Mousa. Here we will visit the 2000 year old broch, the best preserved example in the world. The island is also a nature reserve and is rich in wildlife. Storm petrels, Arctic terns and skuas nest here, and harbour seals lounge on the shore. Keep a sharp eye on Mousa Sound and you may also spot porpoises and the odd killer whale.
Please note the trail on Mousa is uneven, steep, narrow, stony and boggy in places, and therefore not suitable for those visitors requiring extra mobility assistance or are not sure-footed. Walking or wellington boots and waterproof clothing are recommended. There are no toilets and no seating or shelter on the island.
We later continue to our comfortable hotel where dinner is served in the evening.
Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Busta House Hotel, Shetland
After a leisurely breakfast we depart for a full day tour to the northern isles of Yell and Unst. We travel north through Tingwall and Girlsta and past the oil terminal at Sullom Voe, which has transformed life in Shetland over the last 25 years, before arriving at Toft, where the ferry departs for the island of Yell. After a 15-minute crossing we travel across Yell to Gutcher at the north end of the island. After a refreshment stop we make another short ferry crossing to the island of Unst. Here we visit Muness Castle before driving north to Baltasound. After lunch (not included) we continue northwards again, (about as far north as it is possible to travel by coach in the British Isles) and enjoy the marvellous views from Saxavord Hill. Our return route takes us via East Yell and Burravoe. We return to our hotel in evening where dinner is served.
Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Busta House Hotel, Shetland
After breakfast this morning we return to Lerwick, where we will have some free time before re-joining our Northlink Ferry for Aberdeen. Dinner is served on board.
Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Northlink Sea Ferry
After breakfast on board we will disembark in Aberdeen at around 0900hrs. We will then return to the original pick up points.
Meals include: Breakfast
June 15 2020: Additional Info
June 15 2020: Accommodation
All accommodation on board NorthLink Ferries ships have been built with your comfort in mind. Cabins are modern, clean and fully equipped with en-suite washbasin, toilet and shower facilities. All cabins are now equipped with an individual temperature control and tea & coffee-making facilities.
Overlooking the shore of Busta Voe, on mainland Shetland, Busta House is a lovely old building with en suite bedrooms, large garden and superb local food.
Between the village of Brae and the island of Muckle Roe, Busta House is close to the geographical centre of Shetland - a good base for exploring the islands.
Try the fresh local food on offer. There is a choice of wine and some 160 malt whiskies. Enjoy free Wi-Fi in all public areas and a few of the bedrooms. All other bedrooms have modem connections and there is a computer at reception for you to use if you need.
Built in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, there is no lift at Busta House, so expect steps.
June 15 2020: Enquiries
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