Things to do in Shetland
Some of the many delights to be found while here.
Shetland Ponies
Shetland ponies have roamed the open wild hills and moors of Shetland for over 4500 years. The Shetlands resilient lifestyle has led to the evolution of a unique and tough breed on the Shetland Isles .
Shetland ponies are all over the isles so you will get a chance to see them and get up close and if you have a carrot your a favorite. A original Shetland pony breed is under 34 inches and lives outside all year round.
Shetland Wool
Shetland wool is world famous for its incredibly natural and sustainable fibre, and is also world renowned for its fineness and warmth. Shetland Sheep graze freely on the islands' hills and beaches eating wild heather and seaweed. This diet, along with the not-so-great weather, makes Shetland wool soft, strong and warm. 100% real Shetland wool comes from Sheep that are born and bred on the islands.
Northern Lights
Shetland is an amazing place to be in the winter months as you have a very good chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, known locally here as the Mirrie Dancers.
The Northern Lights, the Aurorae occur in the sky above Earth’s polar regions. As seen here in my photo just taken from my phone the northern sky takes on a greenish glow, sometimes with other colours such as pink, blue, orange and purples can also pop at times. They can last in displays for hours and may do with breathtaking and outstanding bursts and twirls occupying the whole of the northern half of the sky.
Beaches
Here in Shetland you will find over 25 amazing golden and white sand beaches and a coastline of almost 1,750 miles. The sand is so fine in some parts its like cornflour between your toes.
Here is Gossabrough beach on the isle of Yell I snapped with my camera phone, most of the time you will find yourself the only person on the beach so can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Flora and Fauna
Throughout Shetland's hills and coastlines you will capture the amazing displays of colourful plant life.
Shetland's northerly location means there are only about 400 plant species, here you can see the beautiful primrose that grows wild on my croft.
Bird Watching
Shetland the most northerly island in Britain, where the sea cliffs & hundreds of thousands of breeding seabirds offering visiotrs a truly unforgettable experience. You can find Great Skuas, known locally as Bonxies, which nest in large numbers on Shetland, while on the cliffs you will also find Puffins, Gannets, Curlews and Golden Plovers and many more species of wild birds.
Music
Shetlands culture and heritage is embedded in music, you are never short of finding Shetlands best musicians playing at a list of music festivals throughout the year, local bars and many a local house into the small hours. The annual Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival brings together the best of traditional music from Shetland, Scotland and beyond for a weekend of concerts, suppers and dances.
Festivals
Shetland’s yearly events start with the fire festivals which mark the end of the long winter nights. There are 12 Up Helly Aa festivals so you have plenty to choose from if you fancy shaking of your winter blues.
- Scalloway Fire Festival – (Second Friday of January)
- Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa – (Last Tuesday of January) Then the Lerwick Seniour Up Helly Aa later on that night.
- Nesting & Girlsta Up Helly Aa – (10 days after Lerwick festival)
- Uyeasound Up Helly Aa – (Second Friday of February) 1
- Northmavine Up Helly Aa – (Third Friday of February)
- Bressay Up Helly Aa – (Last Friday of February)
- Cullivoe Up Helly Aa – (Last Friday of February)
- Norwick Up Helly Aa – (Last Saturday of February)
- South Mainland Up Helly Aa – (Second Friday of March)
- Delting Up Helly Aa – (Third Friday of March)
- Walls Junior Up Helly Aa – (Fourth Friday of March)
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