Shetland Nature Experience
This eight 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 operator 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 and dedicated Otter-watching days. And, on top of all that, you will be in the best part of Britain to see Killer Whales! We cannot of course guarantee an encounter but there is a good possibility and we do everything possible to maximise our chances!
Day one (Friday)
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: Fulmars, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Skuas and our first Puffins! Sumburgh is the ideal setting in which to start to get to know Shetland’s breeding birds, with everything close at hand.
We then journey to Unst, from the southernmost tip of the Shetland Mainland to the most northerly island in Britain, soaking up the stunning scenery along the way with commentary from your guide throughout the journey- an ideal way to adapt and familiarise yourself with the Shetland environment.
Once we reach Unst, we check in to our accommodation and base for remainder of the week, Saxa Vord Resort. With the renowned creature comforts and hospitality of the Saxa Vord resort we relax and settle in for your welcome dinner and a tantalising slide show and talk to introduce you to the wonderful week of wildlife watching that lies ahead!
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 commonly on the moorland interior. Reaching the spectacular cliffs on the west side, we will be greeted by perhaps the most captivating and charismatic birds of the trip, some of the 25,000 Puffins which make Hermaness their summer home. Breathtaking views of Muckle Flugga and the most northerly lighthouse in Britain are a further distraction, not least as 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 Skylarks.
Day three (Sunday)
Island-hopping once again, this time just a 25-minute ferry crossing to the neighbouring island of Fetlar, home to one of our rarest breeding birds and the Fetlar speciality, the Red-necked Phalarope. The island supports over 90% of the British population of this stunning Arctic wader. These compelling creatures are elegant and dainty, with complex breeding roles and unusual feeding behaviour. Best of all, they are famously confiding!
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 its fertile soils, it’s easy to see why the island is called ‘the garden of Shetland’.
We will also spend time searching for otters along some of the islands beautiful coastlines.
Day four (Monday)
Unique to Shetland Nature, we will spend an entire day devoted to one of Shetland’s star wildlife attractions, the otter! Otter-watching is the signature speciality of the company, and we pride ourselves on our unrivalled otter encounters. Our approach 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 our most evocative and captivating animals.
Day five (Tuesday)
Our last chance to savour the magic of the most northerly island in Britain, today is a relaxing day as we take time to explore both the cultural and natural heritage of Shetland, together with some of its pristine sandy beaches. We will visit the Keen of Hamar National Nature Reserve, one of the UK’s most remarkable botanical sites, where the moon-like landscape and collection of Arctic Alpine and endemic plants, most notably Edmonston’s Chickweed (found no where else in the world) is a firm favourite with visitors.
This day is a good excuse for a close look at the seabirds and landbirds that are characteristic of the Shetland landscape – birds 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 others which we have so far failed to mention – from Tysties to Linties (Black Guillemots to Twites) – we will have enjoyed them all 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 six (Wednesday)
Saying a fond fare well to Unst we travel across 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.
In the afternoon 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. We check in to the Orca Country Inn in Sandwick later in the afternoon 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 the incredible purring song is a simply unforgettable birding experience!
Day seven (Thursday)
We travel North to 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 explore. At 450 m above sea level, Ronas Hill is hardly a mountain yet it is the highest point in Shetland. And, since we are so far north, the combination of latitude and altitude means Ronas Hill is one of the most accessible areas for mountain plants, including delightful flowering Arctic alpines such as Mountain Azalea and Alpine Lady’s Mantle.
At Eshaness lighthouse, the breathtaking views of one of Shetlands most iconic vistas can guaranteed. Join us for a leisurely stroll along the cliff tops for a close-up view of breeding waders and seabirds. If the weather is good, we will spend time scanning for whales and dolphins out at sea. Minke Whales, Risso’s, White-sided and White-beaked Dolphins and of course Killer Whales can all be seen 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 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 eight (Friday)
For our final day we spend a relaxed morning exploring the South Mainland’s stunning scenery, including Loch of Spiggie (an RSPB reserve) and the stunning St Ninians Isle, which is joined to the mainland by a world famous sand beach tombolo. Before departing we visit Sumburgh Head; both the ideal introduction to Shetland and the perfect way to end our holiday, as we savour the sights and sounds for one last time.
Booking
Dates:
- Friday 28th May – Friday 4th June (Birdwatching reader holiday – see Bird Watching Magazine Reader Offer Article pdf; 2mb)
- Friday 4th June – Friday 11th June
- Friday 23rd July – Friday 30th July
Cost: £990
(All inclusive seven night and eight ‘in the field days’ package)
To book direct, call John Leask & Son on 01595 693162.
Contact us for more information or to enquire about alternative dates for your own exclusive / tailor-made holiday.