Shetland


Guided Walking: Shetland Isles
It’s wild, it’s wonderful, it’s fascinating and it’s Island Hopping at its best.
Shetland offers a terrific contrast of dramatic scenery and quiet corners; thousands upon thousands of sea birds and yet the time to watch just one; and if you are just a bit lucky seals, otters, sharks, whales and dolphins.
With a character firmly rooted in its Viking past, and many remains of even earlier times, this area is a must for lovers of wildlife, landscapes, archaeology and geology.
Operating from two fixed bases we explore the north, south east and west of the this fantastic archipelago.
This tour will not operate until the summer of 2024
If you are interested please complete the Enquiry Form to register your interest
No deposit required at present
At a Glance
- Grade: 2
- Price: £TBA
- Duration: 9 days
- Accommodation: 8
- Accom type: Shared Room, Hostel, Hotel and Ferry Cabins
- Breakfast Included Continental / Full Breakfast
- Walking/Exploring: 7
- Group min: 6
- Group max: 8
- Meet: Aberdeen Ferry Terminal
- Finish: Aberdeen Ferry Terminal
Shetland
Click each day to expand.
Meet Up Aberdeen - ferry overnight to Lerwick
A late afternoon meet up at Aberdeen Harbour for our overnight Northlink Ferry to Shetland.
Overnight on board in a twin cabin with en-suite facilities.
Sumburgh and Jarshof / Mousa Broch
Morning – Sumburgh Head and Jarlshof circuit
We depart the ferry at Lerwick to begin our tour with a real Shetland classic, bringing together two of the island’s most iconic attractions into a great coastal circuit. Beginning with a short drive south to Jarlshof we spend time at the most remarkable Neolithic site in Shetland before taking the path up to Sumburgh Head and the lighthouse – the southernmost point of the islands. Dependant on the season we have the opportunity to witness the puffin colonies at close hand before continuing with our clifftop walk with superb views all around. (5.5km / 3.5 miles)
Afternoon – Mousa – the broch and RSPB reserve
In the afternoon we visit the island of Mousa situated off the east coast of Shetland’s mainland and famed for its spectacular iron age broch – the most complete and best preserved of all such structures in the world. A short boat trip opens the way to one of Shetland’s finest excursions that also includes an opportunity to witness a range of birdlife at the island RSPB Reserve. (3.5km / 2.25 miles)
Overnight Lerwick
Westerwick
Westerwick coast, from Silwick
This morning we depart Lerwick after breakfast and head out west to take in two circular routes around the bay at Wester Wick.
The coastline stretching west from Silwick and past Westerwick has some of the most spectacular cliff scenery in the UK, with arches, magnificent stacks and caves. This walk takes in the best section of the coast before taking shortcuts on the return. (8.5km / 5.25 miles)
Overnight Lerwick.
Travel to Brae - Muckle Row in afternoon
This morning we head north on the island’s main transport route to Brae, our base for the next three overnights, before turning back south / west to Muckle Roe to begin our walk on a circuit that many locals regard to be the finest in the archipelago. The section from the lighthouse to the Hams is rugged and rocky but the coastal scenery is superb. Muckle Roe is linked to mainland Shetland by a bridge.
(11.5km / 7.25 miles).
Overnight Brae.
Herma Ness Unst
Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Unst
A day trip north involving two ferry crossings takes us to the island of Unst and one of Shetland’s truly special places, Herma Ness. This location offers a dramatic clifftop National Nature Reserve that is also a spectacular seabird city – home to more than 100,000 birds in the breeding season, including countless puffins, a huge gannetry and the world’s third largest colony of bonxies – great skuas. The awesome cliffs look out to the serrated rocks of Muckle Flugga and Out Stack – the most northerly place in Britain. (10.5km / 6.5 miles).
Overnight Brae.
(Unst Alternative) - Mu Ness and the Castle from Uyeasound
Mu Ness and the Castle from Uyeasound, Unst
This circular walk that allows exploration of the low lying southern coastline of Unst, running from the settlement at Uyeasound to visit Scotland’s most northerly castle – Muness, a 16th Century tower house. It may be possible to view otters along the coastline. (12km / 7.5 miles)
Uyea circuit
Uyea circuit from Sandvoe, Northmavine
Today we head north to North Roe for a circular walk in the northern section of the islands to view the remote tidal island of Uyea and its surrounding stacks and skerries. The return is on an inland track passing lochans where rare birds can often be spotted. (15.5km / 9.75 miles).
Overnight Brae.
Esha Ness Circuit
Esha Ness and Tangwick circuit, Northmavine
Our final day in the north of the islands before heading back south to Lerwick and a real Shetland classic = this exploration around the coastal cliffs of the Esha Ness peninsula offers a superb walk with some magnificent cliff scenery as well as the chance to see seabirds, seals and otters.
(13.75km / 8.5 miles).
Overnight Lerwick.
Travel south / Noss/ Lerwick Explorer / overnight ferry
Morning – Island of Noss – (8.25km / 5.25 miles)
Afternoon – Lerwick Explorer – (6km / 3.75 miles)
Our last day on Shetland and we first travel east to Bressay and on to visit the bird sanctuary on the Island of Noss against a backdrop of stunning sea cliffs and pristine beaches returning to Lerwick to explore the older part of the town and harbour ending with a walk to the headland of the Knab with some fine coastal scenery and views. There is also the chance to see a well-preserved and restored broch before making preparation to join our ferry for the overnight return to Aberdeen.
Overnight on Board in a twin cabin en-suite facilities.
Disembark Aberdeen and return home
Arrive Aberdeen and after breakfast, disembark the ferry to end your tour.
Fixed Price – £TBA per person
Single supplement – On request
What’s included?
- All transfers from Meeting Point Aberdeen to Aberdeen return
- 2 overnight ferry = shared room facilities Aberdeen/Lerwick/Aberdeen
- 3 nights’ hostel accommodation In Lerwick (twin shared – shared facilities)
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Brae (twin shared – en-suite facilities)
- All Shetland inter-island ferry transfers
- Breakfast included throughout – Continental / Full Breakfast
- Baggage transfer – maximum 10 kg per bag + backpack
- EasyWays Electronic Tour Pack with Day Itinerary and accommodation details
- GPS Mapping App for phone or Tablet
- Suggested Equipment List
- Emergency support for EasyWays Head Office
What’s not included?
- Evening meals, packed lunches and drinks
- Travel Insurance
Dates | Price | Single Supplement | Availability |
TBC | £TBA | POA | |
TBC | £TBA | POA |
Want to book an Easy Ways walk?
If so, please fill out our enquiry form.
If you have any extra questions, feel free to contact us, we’d love to hear from you.