Visit Shetland For a Memorable Experience

Visit Shetland for a memorable experience and discover for yourself what you've been missing. A list of Shetland islands is a list of Norse names, a legacy from earlier times from before a time when Scotland ruled the northern isles. Some 15 inhabited islands amid an archipelago of around 100 islands make up Shetland today.

There are 22,000 people here where nature and wildlife blends into normality. Where the coastal scenery takes your breath away, and where untouched landscapes outnumber developed urban areas.

With the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the east, Shetland lies at the northernmost extremity of Scotland. The islands are often confused with the Hebrides, lying much farther south and west, and with which they bear little or no resemblance in either topography or culture.

Orkney and Shetland both were ruled by the Norse people, and while this is also true of the Hebrides, the culture in Shetland is still strongly influenced by Scandinavia, whereas in other parts of Scotland it has largely disappeared.

Two things usually dominate the minds of those who visit Shetland for the first time: the scenery and the climate. The coastal scenery of these islands is simply stunning. The rugged cliffs and heavily eroded voes, or small bays, are everywhere. Inland there are untouched landscapes that must have looked as they do now one thousand years ago.

The climate of Shetland is the other notable topic of conversation here. Visitors expect it to be much colder than it usually is. While the islands don't get real heat waves in summer, it can be very pleasantly warm, and winters tend to be much milder than expected too.

The inhabited islands in Shetland, with the exception of three, are connected with Mainland, the largest island, by an integrated inter-island ferry service. Trondra, Burra Isle and Muckle Roe are close enough to Mainland to have a bridge connection. Some of the outer isles also have regular air flights, notably Foula and Fair isle.

Most of the islands have their own heritage centre, or small community museum. Along with the much larger and very new Shetland Museum in Lerwick, this network of visitor centres are an excellent way to discover the islands' secrets as each one is quite different to all the rest.

Those who visit Shetland never forget the experience. They come in search of Shetland ponies, the northern lights or Aurora Borealis, the nature and wildlife, the rugged coastal scenery, the unique bird watching opportunities and more, and they find them all and more - much more. They find something memorable, something half-forgotten, something re-discovered and wonderful. Visit Shetland and discover it for yourself.

By : Ivor_Mouat