Saturday 19th June Saturday 3rd July
Depart from the hotel after breakfast for the Island of Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland Islands. Disembark from the ferry at Unst and make the first visit to Nornova Knitwear, centre for the manufacture of woollen garments and lace, followed by a visit to Muness Castle, built by Lawrence Bruce in 1598, and burnt down by the French in 1627. Continue to Saxa Void Hill to see the magnificent views over the Hermaness Nature Reserve toward Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, and then visit the Keen of Hamar National Nature Reserve. The reserve is home to some of the rarest northern species of flora. Lunch will be taken at the Northern Lights Café Unst. In the afternoon there will be a visit to Haroldswick, home to the Unst Boat Haven, and the Unst Heritage Centre. The Boat Haven is one of the most interesting and well laid-out museums in Scotland. The museum depicts the history of the fishing industry in Shetland and preserves samples of the traditional fishing vessels. Afterwards depart to catch the ferry, passing on the way Britain's most northerly bus stop and Post Office. Return on the ferry to Mainland, arriving back at Busta House in the early evening.
Overnight: Busta House Hotel (BL)
Sunday 20th June Sunday 4th July
Depart this morning for Lerwick to take a cruise around the Noss Nature Reserve. This cruise will take you close to some of the most spectacular nature sights to be found anywhere; many thousands of gannets, guillemots, puffins, razorbills, shags and skuas compete for space on the sheer sandstone cliffs, eroded by millions of years of wind and ice. Watch also for porpoises, seals, whales and dolphins, and, if weather permits, see the underwater world of starfish crabs, sea urchins and plankton. On return to land purchase lunch at the Lerwick Museum café, and enjoy the facilities of this excellent museum. Afterwards take a stroll around the town, you can stroll along the harbour with a very good chance of being able to watch the seals.
Founded as an unofficial marketplace to service 17th century Dutch herring fleets, Lerwick took a long time to grow. Because of its illegal status (and alleged immorality!) the straggling hamlet around the shore of Lerwick ('meaning muddy bay') was demolished by order of the Scalloway court in 1615 and 1625. The Dutch burnt the fort in 1673 and the French set fire to the town in 1702. Revived in Victorian times when the Lerwick Town Hall was built, the town is now the commercial and industrial centre of the Islands as well as a busy tourism centre. Return to the Busta House Hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Busta House Hotel (BD)
Monday 21st June Monday 5th July
Depart after breakfast for the island of Fetlar. Take the ferry first to the Island of Yell and then the ferry to Fetlar. Watch for Seals, Dolphins, Minke Whales and Basking Sharks on the crossing. On this beautiful island, evidence of human settlements from the Stone Age, the Picts and the Norsemen can be seen. In the 19th century, the laird evicted whole townships of people to make room for sheep, leaving gloomy ruins and empty lands where once hundreds of people lived. The name ‘Fetlar’ means ‘the Island of the Fat land’, and fertile soil has always provided rich grazing. The island now contains a rich variety of ancient sites, exquisite flowers and perfect habitat for ground-nesting birds. On Funzie Loch you will have a chance to see the rare red-necked phalarope, and, from the late Bobby Tulloch’s bird hide, the red-necked diver.
Next there will be a visit to Brough Lodge, owned by the Nicholson family until the death of Lady Nicholson in 1980. A trust has been formed to preserve and restore this unique house with its 19th century folly and tower. There is much to see here both in the grounds and the house.
The next visit is to the Fetlar Interpretive Centre where there are hundreds of photos dating from the 19th and 20th century, giving a wonderful insight into life on Fetlar. Lunch will be taken in the Hall Café. In the afternoon take a stroll along the beautiful white sands of Tresta Beach, before retuning by ferry to the Island of Yell. En route visit The Old Haa of Brough in Burravoe, built for Robert Tyrie, a merchant, in 1672, which houses the local museum for Burravoe and Yell. The archway with an armorial panel above, with Tyrie's initials and the year 1672, are the remains of an old courtyard. Afterwards take the ferry back from Yell to Mainland, and return to the Busta House Hotel in the early evening.
Overnight: Busta House Hotel (BL)
Tuesday 22nd June Tuesday 6th July
Depart from the hotel after breakfast for Northmavine. Northmavine is joined to the rest of Mainland by the thin isthmus Mavis Grind and has Shetland's highest hill, Ronas Hill, dominating North Roe at 450 metres high, where a prehistoric chambered cairn can be found. The area is home to several rare arctic alpine plants. Continue afterwards to Hillswick to visit the Blacksmith’s Forge and Gallery, followed by lunch at Breiwick Café. After lunch visit the Tangwick Haa Museum. This museum is accommodated in a restored seventeenth century mansion which contains artifacts and photographs covering all aspects of life in Northmavine over the years.
The remainder of the afternoon will be spent taking a gentle walk across the spectacular cliffs of Eshaness, where you may see gannets and terns make their dramatic dives into the sea hunting for fish, and the remains of an iron-age broch. On concluding the walk return to the Busta House Hotel
Overnight: Busta House Hotel (BL)
Wednesday 23rd June Wednesday 7th July
The first visit today will be to Scalloway Castle and Museum where there is an informative display of historical information concerning the transfer of political power from Scandinavia to Scotland, when the Shetland Islands were given by a Danish king as part of the dowry of his daughter on marriage to the royal House of Scotland. Built by Earl Patrick Stewart in 1600, it was occupied by Cromwell’s’ troops in 1689.
Afterwards there will be a visit to Burland Farm to meet a local farmer and find out about local sheep-farming, followed by a stroll on St Ninian’s Beach.
The next visit is to the Quendale Over-Shot Water Mill and Dam. Set in an area of great beauty, the mill was built in 1867. It served all the surrounding areas and was extremely busy, much of the grinding being done in winter when the water flow was greatest. Milling ceased in 1948, but the mill has been completely renovated and restored and operates as a visitor attraction. Enjoy a guided tour of the mill and visit the craft shop and café.
Continue to see the Crofthouse Museum. This is a 19th century thatched crofthouse that has been restored using traditional materials. It shows how crofters who relied heavily on the sea for survival would have lived and how the buildings evolved to cope with the local harsh conditions.
The final visit of the day is to Sumburgh Head where you can gaze down on thousands of puffins inhabiting the cliffs below. The birds are very confiding and this is a great chance for a close-up photo of a puffin. Return afterwards to the Busta House Hotel. Assemble for the 'Farewell Dinner' with Sarah tonight.
Overnight: Busta House Hotel (BD)
Thursday 24th June Thursday 8th July
After breakfast check out from the hotel and depart for Sandwick to catch the ferry to Mousa. On arrival on the Island there will be a short walk to one of the best-preserved Brochs in the Shetlands. The Broch is a dominant feature of the landscape on the walk, and on arrival you can climb up the interior and enjoy the views that ancient guards would have had over Mousa Sound. Mousa is an RSPB bird sanctuary. Continue to West Side to make one last visit to Jamieson's Spinning Mill for the opportunity to purchase high quality Shetland knitwear, before arriving at the airport in time for the flight back to Aberdeen. On arrival at Aberdeen transfer to your chosen method of transport for your journey home.
End of services. (B)
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