5 nights: Various Arrival Days: 1 night ship, 2 nights Lerwick, 1 night ship, 1 night Perthshire
“The feedback from our Shetland tour has been amazing, we could never have arranged it without your expertise” – UK Coach Driver
On the edge of the Arctic Circle, 130 miles north of the Scottish mainland, lies Shetland. An archipelago of 100 islands with 5000 years of history and Viking-influenced culture. With a mild climate and up to 19 hours of daylight, be enchanted by the rugged beauty & serene seclusion. A wonderful island experience, where, along with your experienced guide, you will see landscapes like no other, visiting internationally acclaimed sites. The convenient overnight sailing in a comfy cabin makes the journey a breeze.
With almost 1700 miles of coastline, the water around the 100 islands of Shetland is world-renowned for the quality of its seafood industry and is worth tens of millions of pounds a year.
5 nights: Various Arrival Days: 1 night ship, 2 nights Lerwick, 1 night ship, 1 night Perthshire
“The feedback from our Shetland tour has been amazing, we could never have arranged it without your expertise” – UK Coach Driver
Day 1: Cruise Aberdeen - Shetland
Arrive in Aberdeen to board the overnight sailing to Lerwick. Dinner on board. Comfortable en-suite twin berth cabins provided. Upon arrival in Lerwick, you will be closer to the Arctic Circle than Manchester.
Day 2: Northern Isles (Yell & Unst)
After breakfast, meet your local experienced guide for a tour of the Northern Isles - Yell & Unst. Photo stop at the vast Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, then the short ferry crossing to Yell, with entry into the Old Haa Museum, Cullivoe - full of unusual artefacts from the lives of islanders. Board the short ferry to Unst, with many beautiful beaches and has been home to the RAF for decades. Light lunch included. See Muckle Flugga, the most northern tip of the UK, then the Skidbladner - a replica Viking longship. Check into Shetland Hotel at approximately 18:00.
Day 3: South & West Mainland
Coastal tour towards Sumburgh Head RSPB, stopping at probably the best beach on Shetland - St. Ninians. View cliff scenery, golden beaches & seabird colonies. Afterwards, to the Viking Jarlshof archaeological site, one of Europe’s largest and most complex sites spanning over 5000 years. Entry included in the Croft House Museum. After lunch, we have a photo stop of Shetland Ponies in the Tingwall Valley before arriving in Scalloway, the former capital of Shetland, with its 15th-century castle dominating the skyline. Entry to the museum displaying local island exhibitions, history & folklore.
Day 4: North Mainland & Cruise Lerwick – Aberdeen
To Voe & Brae & the “Drongs” - a spectacular series of sea stacks. After lunch, a guided tour of Shetland Jewellery Nordic Workshop. Free time in Lerwick via Wormadale Viewpoint, before boarding your ship for the overnight sailing to Aberdeen with dinner on board.
Day 5: Angus & Fife
After breakfast, disembark the ship, taking the coastal road passing sandy St Cyrus Beach, Montrose, Arbroath – famous for its “Smokies”. Time free in Dundee, with entry into the shorefront & impressive V&A Museum. Over the Tay Bridge and into Fife, with a short stop at the golf and University town of St Andrews, before continuing along the coast through the fishing villages of Crail and St Monans and your hotel in Dunfermline, near the 3 Forth Bridges, crossing the new bridge the following morning, by passing Edinburgh and homeward bound.