Scotland's Shetland Islands
Scotland's Shetland Islands
6 Days Starting and ending in Aberdeen
Visiting: Aberdeen to Lerwick, Lerwick, Sumburgh, Muckle Flugga, Eshness, Lerwick to Aberdeen
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BWSL
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Low, Low
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$2184
$1966 (USD)
Operator discount: -$218
Tour Overview
Discover the many charms of the Shetland Islands on a small group tour featuring dramatic coastlines, towering sea cliffs, wildlife spotting and history galore. Lerwick is a charming town that plays host to the Shetland Museum, filled with historic buildings and offering a unique and captivating Scottish experience that will leave a lasting impression. Private minibus adventures will take you to the rugged landscapes of Eshaness and Muckle Flugga, the most northerly inhabited point in the United Kingdom to spot local wildlife like puffins, seals and otters. Add in a quaint town of warm-hearted locals and atmospheric pubs to enjoy at the end of each day and this trip has it all. Come and experience the magic of the Northern Scottish Isles.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Aberdeen To Lerwick
Location: Aberdeen to Lerwick
Accommodation: Overnight ferry (sleeping pod)
Welcome to Aberdeen! Meet your leader and the rest of your group in the late afternoon at Aberdeen Ferry Terminal, a designated space where passengers can wait comfortably and grab some refreshments or a light meal before boarding the overnight ferry to Lerwick in Shetland. On the overnight ferry you will have a designated comfortable ‘sleeping pod’ that reclines 70 degrees to help you get a good night’s rest before your Shetland Island adventure begins tomorrow.
Day 2: Lerwick
Location: Lerwick
Accommodation: Guesthouse
After you disembark the ferry at around 8 am, you’ll jump in a taxi to the guest house, where you can drop off your luggage before taking a walking tour of Lerwick, Shetland’s main town. This afternoon is yours to discover Lerwick your way, perhaps by raising a glass at the Lerwick Brewery, spotting local wildlife on a boat tour, or taking a stroll along the waterfront. Tonight, you may like to have dinner at one of Lerwick’s cosy pubs.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Sumburgh
Location: Sumburgh
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast this morning, you’ll go on a short walk to the Shetland Museum, where your guide will take you for a tour that celebrates the local history through engaging interactive exhibits and world renowned collections of historic artifacts and documents. You might like to grab a bite to eat here before catching the public bus to Sumburgh for a hike to Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head. Enjoy stunning coastal views as you take in the prehistoric sites of Jarlshof, then walk to the Sumburgh Head lighthouse where you’ll learn about the area’s history, from the early Iron Age settlers to the lighthouse keepers who kept sailors safe from harm. After your return to Lerwick in the late afternoon, you might want to grab dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities:
-
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Day 4: Muckle Flugga
Location: Muckle Flugga
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, you’ll take a trip to Hermaness Nature Reserve and Muckle Flugga, home to the Muckle Flugga Lighthouse and the most northerly inhabited island in the United Kingdom. Perched on jagged rocks rising out of the sea just off the coast of Unst, the lighthouse was built to protect British ships heading into battle during the Crimean War and was originally tended to by three lighthouse keepers. Getting there can be a bit of an adventure, so today, your group will have a private minibus. Keep an eye out for puffins and other seabird colonies along the cliffs, as you take in the wild beauty of this remote location.
On your return to Lerwick, you may like to head out with your group for one final evening meal in a cosy Shetland pub.
Included Activities:
-
Day 5: Eshness
Location: Eshness
Accommodation: Overnight ferry (sleeping pod)
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today, travel via private minibus to Eshaness for an enjoyable coastal hike. Eshaness has it all – crashing waves, dramatic sea cliffs and history galore. While you’re enjoying the scenic views, keep an eye out for the seabirds, seals and otters that call this area home. You’ll then return to Lerwick mid-afternoon in time to catch the overnight ferry back to Aberdeen. Once again, you’ll be able to enjoy some rest and relaxation in your designated reclining ‘sleeping pod’.
Included Activities:
-
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Day 6: Lerwick To Aberdeen
Location: Lerwick to Aberdeen
On your arrival in Aberdeen at approximately 7am, your Shetland Islands adventure will come to an end. If you would like to spend some time in Aberdeen, we will be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
What's Included
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Lerwick- Lerwick Leader Led Walking Tour
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Lerwick - Shetland Museum Tour
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Sumburgh - Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head Hike
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Shetland - Muckle Flugga Trip
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Lerwick - Overnight Ferry Lerwick to Aberdeen
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Eshaness - Coastal Hike
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Accommodation
Hotel (3 nights), Overnight Ferry (2 nights)
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Transport
Private vehicle, Overnight ferry
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Meals
3 breakfasts
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Lerwick - Leader led Walking Tour
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- TRANSPORT
- One of the highlights of this trip is our use of a combination of public and private transportation. Public transport is not only a cost-effective way to travel but also provides a unique glimpse into Scottish life as we traverse picturesque landscapes. Private vehicles, on the other hand, allow us to make frequent stops at intriguing points of interest that may not be reachable via public transport. Need a taxi, no problem, please speak to your group leader should you require a taxi outside of what is included. We believe that this blend of travel options is the ideal approach for exploring Scotland as a group.
Accommodation
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- TWIN SHARE BASIS
- Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
- FACILITIES
- Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Important Information
- 1. The journey from Aberdeen to Shetland and vice versa is long (12.5 hours), involving an overnight ferry and taxis. This trip starts in Aberdeen in late afternoon (3.30pm in the waiting room at Aberdeen Ferry Terminal). The trip finishes in Aberdeen around 7am in the morning of Day 6, after the overnight ferry from Lerwick.
- 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights in Lerwick, but not to overnight ferry nights, where single cabins are unavailable. Single supplement is also subject to limited availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 3. There is a separate optional upgrade (on request and subject to limited availability) for a two berth outside cabin on the ferry
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Is this trip right for you
On Days 3 & 5 we are going to take coastal paths and hike between 5-8 kilometres/3-5 miles. Hikes are not demanding and follow established paths, but you will need a basic level of fitness and reasonably sturdy footwear to fully enjoy them.
Scotland can be cold at night throughout the year, especially at the start and end of the season. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions, including base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, waterproof clothes/umbrella and anything else that you think may be applicable
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Sunday - Friday
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Jun 09, 2024 - Jun 14, 2024Sunday - Friday
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Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
Terms and Conditions