The Shetland Nature Experience

Holiday overview at a glance:

• Seven nights’ all inclusive accommodation
• Maximum of six per group – guaranteed
• Arguably the finest accommodation and local cuisine with full choice of a-la-carte menu
• Led by local guides who live and work in Shetland all year round
• Dedicated Otter-tracking time
• Late-night excursion for Storm Petrels
• Boat trip to a world-renowned seabird colony
• Endemic and alpine plants

This seven day wildlife adventure showcases the Shetland Islands, its cultural heritage and, most of all, its outstanding natural environment like no other. Designed by a native Shetlander, this holiday gives a unique insight into the islands that no other wildlife tour company operating in Shetland can offer.

Put simply, this trip will sample the very best of Shetland’s outstanding natural heritage, as we take time to savour all its star attractions to the full: iconic landscapes, spectacular displays of wild flowers, awe-inspiring ‘seabird cities’, some of the nation’s rarest breeding birds, dedicated Otter-watching time and access to guides and researchers who make Shetland their home. And, on top of all that, you will be in the best part of Britain to stand a chance of seeing Killer Whales!

Day one (Friday)

Our week begins on Friday morning as we meet, greet and collect you on your arrival, either from ferry or airport. Many of our guests, however, choose to arrive the evening before; in which case we will collect you from your accommodation.

Once guide and group are acquainted, we begin our voyage of discovery in the south mainland, at the RSPB’s Sumburgh Head reserve, with its thousands of breeding seabirds, including Fulmars, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Skuas and our first Puffins! Sumburgh is the ideal setting in which to start to get to know some of Shetland’s breeding birds, with everything close at hand.

From the southernmost tip of Shetland Mainland, we journey to Unst, the most northerly island in Britain. Along the way we will soak up the stunning scenery and make strategic wildlife stops; this, combined with commentary from your guide throughout the journey, is an ideal way to adapt and become familiarised with the Shetland environment.
Upon reaching Unst, we check in to our accommodation and base for the first five days of the tour. With the renowned creature comforts and hospitality of the Saxa Vord resort, we relax and settle in for our welcome dinner. View your accommodation here.

Day two (Saturday)

We begin our North Isles experience by heading to Hermaness National Nature Reserve. Setting out on foot through the heart of the reserve, we can guarantee ‘up close and personal’ encounters with Great Skuas, known locally as Bonxies, which nest in large numbers on the moorland interior. Reaching the spectacular cliffs on the west side of the reserve, we will be greeted by perhaps the most captivating and charismatic birds of the trip, some of the 25,000 pairs of Puffins which make Hermaness their summer home. Breathtaking views of Muckle Flugga and the most northerly lighthouse in Britain are a further distraction, whilst the surrounding stacks and cliffs boast over 17,000 breeding pairs of Gannets, the largest colony in Shetland. As well as seabirds, we shall be serenaded by other moorland species during our walk, from bubbling Curlews and cryptic Golden Plovers to the parachuting song-flight displays of Meadow Pipits and the ubiquitous Skylarks.

Day three (Sunday)

Island-hopping once again, we leave Unst and take the 25-minute ferry crossing to the neighbouring island of Fetlar. From late May to early August the island is home to one of the nation’s rarest breeding birds, the Red-necked Phalarope, for which the island is renowned. These compelling creatures are elegant and dainty, with complex breeding roles and unusual feeding behaviour. Fetlar supports over 90% of the British population of this stunning Arctic wader, although in recent years they have become increasingly more elusive. With patience, persistence and our local knowledge we hope to connect with this charismatic and nationally very rare breeding wader.

The island is also home to some of the highest densities of moorland breeding birds anywhere in Britain, with nationally important numbers of Whimbrel and the wonderfully evocative Red-throated Diver. Good numbers of Arctic Skuas, Golden Plovers and Dunlins are among the many species which abound on the isle. With this rich density of breeding birds and wild flowers it is easy to see why the island is known locally as the ‘Garden of Shetland’.

Day four (Monday)

This is a day when we can savour the rich flora and fauna of Unst, journeying along side-roads and tracks and exploring the finer details of the island and its quirky charms.

We will visit the Keen of Hamar National Nature Reserve, one of the UK’s most remarkable botanical sites, where the moon-like landscape of serpentine rock, collection of Arctic Alpines and an endemic plant, Edmonston’s Chickweed (found nowhere else in the world), make this a firm favourite. We shall also take time search for species such as Frog Orchid, Moonwort, Norwegian Sandwort and Northern Rock Cress and others.

We will also take time to explore Skaw and Lamba Ness, the former boasting a beautiful secluded beach with the backdrop of Britain’s most northerly house. Lamba Ness is the most easterly point of Unst and if the weather conditions allow we will spend time on a cetacean watch.

This day is a good excuse for a close look at the seabirds and land birds that are characteristic of the Shetland landscape – subspecies such as the Shetland Wren and the Shetland Starling are unique to the islands and will have become ‘part of the scenery’ in the past few days. These and other Northern specialities which we have so far failed to mention – from Tysties to Linties (Black Guillemots to Twites) – will all have been enjoyed at some point but today is designed as a day to take stock, make an effort to see anything that is missing but mainly just to soak up the whole Shetland Nature experience in its entirety.

Day five (Tuesday)

Island-hopping again, we explore the magnificent and rugged north-western part of Shetland Mainland. From a geological and landscape perspective, this remote corner of the islands is unique and there is much to admire. At 450 metres above sea level, Ronas Hill is hardly a mountain yet it is the highest point in Shetland. At Eshaness lighthouse, the breathtaking views of one of Shetland’s most iconic vistas are guaranteed, and an examination of a nearby blowhole is not for the faint-hearted. If the weather is good, we will spend time scanning for whales and dolphins out at sea. Risso’s, White-sided and White-beaked Dolphins, Minke Whales and of course Killer Whales have all be seen from here with a bit of luck and a keen eye. Harbour Porpoises are the most common cetacean and perhaps more predictable, and we should be able to find these at our regular sites.

On our way back we will we stop off at Urafirth to admire one of the few remaining mainland colonies of the beautiful and nationally scarce Oysterplant.

Day six (Wednesday)

Saying a fond farewell to Unst, we travel, via any strategic stops necessary, to Shetland’s capital, Lerwick, where we board MV Dunter for an unforgettable three-hour trip with the award-winning Seabirds-and-Seals crew. We are bound for the spectacular Noss National Nature Reserve to marvel at its breathtaking cliffs, which are alive with the hustle and bustle of one of the largest seabird colonies in the islands. The sight of thousands of Gannets wheeling around the boat and courting at their nest sites is one not to be missed! The crew will also give us a truly unique insight into life beneath the waves as they explore the depths with their underwater camera. After marvelling at the ‘Gannetries’ of Hermaness from above this exhilarating excursion compliments our visit to the cliff- tops wonderfully, as we enjoy a seabird city from a totally different perspective. Later in the afternoon we check in to our Mainland accommodation at the Spiggie House Hotel (view your accommodation here) in and unwind over dinner as we look forward to a magical late night excursion…

We will visit the enchanting island of Mousa, a small RSPB reserve which lies to the east of south mainland. Here during the twilight of the late evening/early morning, thousands of dainty Storm Petrels, our smallest breeding seabird, return to their nest-sites in the walls of the Iron Age broch – arguably the most impressive broch of its kind. Watching the petrels fluttering like bats against the summer night sky and listening to their incredible purring song is a simply unforgettable experience! We will also provide an exclusive insight into the petrel’s behaviour, ecology and breeding success.

Day seven (Thursday)

Today we will explore some of the more secluded side-roads of the East and West central Mainland, enjoying a leisurely safari-style adventure in search of Mountain Hare, Red Grouse, Otters and much more. This being Shetland, there could also be the odd surprise in store for us!

Our week of adventure comes to an end in the evening when we bid you a fond farewell after dinner…

…Or perhaps not! Maybe you wish to further indulge yourself in awe-inspiring Shetland and join us on a day-trip, or do your own thing; as valued guests, you have the comfort of knowing we will keep you informed of any exciting news that breaks, as well as being happy to offer advice on your extended stay.

What about Otters?

Don’t worry we have every confidence we will find them; we have yet to have a group leave disappointed. They are after all a speciality of ours and we aim to give you the equivalent of over a day’s time in Otter tracking throughout your stay. We know the best time and places to see this complex and elusive species and, because we live here, our guides have the advantage of studying them all year round.

This is one of the many areas that our clients experience first-hand the benefits of our small group sizes. Our ethos is based on the unsurpassed knowledge of Shetland Nature guides, combined with access to remote and little-known spots. We will visit some of the best sites in the islands to give you a unique insight into the secret lives of one of the nation’s most evocative and captivating animals.

Our itinerary

Throughout the week, your guide will be fully in touch with the local grapevine and news of what is turning up throughout the islands. Circumstance such as weather conditions, tides and receiving news of Killer Whale sightings can all have an effect on the itinerary so we remain as flexible as possible to maximise our chances of enjoying Shetland’s stunning wildlife to the full. We will, however, ensure that the following key sites are targeted; your local guides are experts in when is the best time to do this.

• Eshaness Peninsular
• Fetlar
• Hermaness National Nature Reserve
• Keen of Hamar National Nature Reserve
• Mousa RSPB reserve
• Noss National Nature Reserve
• Sumburgh Head RSPB Reserve

Fitness

Throughout this holiday some of the activities will potentially involve walks of up to three or four miles (maximum in a day) and at times over uneven terrain. These will require a reasonable level of fitness. We can also provide holidays at a more leisurely pace; please Contact Us for details.