Fetlar: “Garden Of Shetland”

Scheduled tour runs Wednesday

Fetlar is known locally as ‘the garden of Shetland’. Its rich fertile soils, serpentine heath and blanket bog, hosts the highest densities of breeding waders in Shetland.

It is the strong hold for rare breeders like Whimbrel and most famous of all is of course the beautiful Red-necked Phalarope, which is still a true Fetlar speciality as the island boasts over 95% of the British breeding population. Famed for their role reversal in the rearing of chicks, the phalaropes are notoriously obliging, often too close for binoculars! The similarly handsome Red-throated diver and Arctic Skua should also reward us with fairly close encounters.

We will enjoy a short leisurely stroll along low headland of the eastern side of the island to see the rare rock type, known as the Funzie conglomerate, which is unique to the island and can be seen exposed the way along eastern cliffs. From here we will also scan the open sea and with a bit of luck catch a glimpse of a Porpoise or Minke whale, which are often seen off shore.

Before the Ferry off in the afternoon we will take time to search for otters, which thrive along some of the more remote low-lying coastlines of the island.

Depart from Lerwick at 08:00am and after two ferry crossings and an hour or so on the road arrive on Fetlar 10:50am
Leave Fetlar on the 15:05 ferry, (a later ferry at 16:45 can be arranged) arrive back in Lerwick 17:30 (aprox)

Booking

Cost: £85 per person (based on 2 persons)

• All inclusive of lunch, ferry fare and transport
• Group discounts may apply
• Discounts available for multi-day bookings
• Please specify dietary requirements when booking.

Advance booking recommended.