6-Day Scotland’s Shetland Islands Small-Group Tour

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Lerwick

Make your way to Lerwick, Shetland’s charming capital, situated on the sheltered eastern coast of Mainland island. Named from the Norse “Leirvik” meaning “muddy bay,” Lerwick grew from a 17th-century fishing village into a bustling harbour town. Check into your guesthouse before an evening orientation walk with your guide through the town’s narrow flagstone streets (locally known as “lodberries”), past the 18th-century Fort Charlotte, and along the picturesque harbour where visiting yachts from Scandinavia dock alongside working fishing boats. Your guide points out the best local pubs and restaurants for the remainder of the evening – try the locally landed Shetland mussels and freshly caught seafood at one of the waterside establishments.

Day 2: Sumburgh – Jarlshof & Seabird Spectacular

Head south to the Sumburgh peninsula aboard your private minibus. First, explore the extraordinary archaeological site of Jarlshof, where a sequence of settlements spanning 4,000 years is revealed in one location: Neolithic houses, Bronze Age smithies, Iron Age brochs, Pictish wheelhouses, a Viking longhouse, and a 16th-century laird’s house. The site’s name comes from a novel by Sir Walter Scott, who was inspired by the ruins. After lunch, embark on a guided coastal hike to Sumburgh Head, where towering cliffs host one of Britain’s most accessible seabird colonies. Between May and August, watch puffins waddling mere metres from the path, alongside guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, and kittiwakes. The lighthouse and visitor centre provide fascinating exhibits on Shetland’s maritime and natural history. Return to Lerwick for the evening.

Day 3: Lerwick – Viking Heritage & Shetland Museum

This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of Lerwick focusing on the town’s Viking roots and later Hanseatic trading era. Although Shetland was part of Norway until 1469 (when it was pawned to Scotland as part of a royal dowry that was never repaid), the Norse influence remains indelible in place names, dialect, and the January Up Helly Aa fire festival. Visit the outstanding Shetland Museum and Archives, where exhibits trace island life from geological formation through Pictish carvings, Viking silver hoards, and the rise and decline of the herring industry. The afternoon is free for independent exploration – browse Shetland’s world-renowned knitwear at local craft shops, walk to the Clickimin Broch on the edge of town, or simply soak in harbour views with Shetland ponies grazing nearby.

Day 4: Hermaness & Muckle Flugga – Britain’s Northern Edge

Take a private vehicle north through the island of Yell, crossing the Bluemull Sound on a short ferry to Unst, Britain’s most northerly inhabited island. Walk the boardwalk trail through Hermaness National Nature Reserve to the dramatic cliffs overlooking Muckle Flugga lighthouse – the most northerly point in the United Kingdom. During the breeding season (May to August), this windswept reserve hosts some 100,000 seabirds. The air fills with the constant chorus of tens of thousands of gannets, fulmars, puffins, and great skuas (known locally as “bonxies”). Watch for grey seals hauled out on the rocks below and, with luck, orcas patrolling the deeper waters. The panoramic views stretch across the Out Stack – the true final rock of the British Isles – and on very clear days, perhaps even to Faroe. Return to Lerwick for a well-earned evening meal.

Day 5: Eshaness – Volcanic Cliffs & Coastal Hike

Journey northwest to the dramatic Eshaness peninsula, where Shetland’s volcanic origins are laid bare. Some 350 million years ago, this area was an active volcano, and the resulting lava flows created the spectacular coastal formations visible today. Embark on a guided coastal hike marvel at the Grind o’ da Navir, a giant amphitheatre carved by Atlantic storms that fling boulders weighing tonnes onto the cliff tops. Walk past collapsed sea caves (known as “gloups”), through which the sea roars beneath your feet, and along the dramatic Dore Holm natural arch, shaped like a drinking horse. The Eshaness Lighthouse, built by David and Thomas Stevenson (father and uncle of author Robert Louis Stevenson), stands sentinel over the restless North Atlantic. Enjoy lunch at a local café before returning to Lerwick. The evening is free for a farewell dinner at one of the town’s excellent restaurants.

Day 6: Departure from Lerwick

After a final Shetland breakfast, your tour concludes. Your guide can advise on onward travel: ferries connect to Aberdeen (12-14 hours overnight) or Kirkwall in Orkney, while Loganair flights from Sumburgh Airport reach Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and Bergen in Norway. If you have time before departure, visit the Bonhoga Gallery at Weisdale Mill or take a final stroll along the Esplanade for one last view across Bressay Sound.

Included

• 5 nights guesthouse accommodation in Lerwick with en-suite facilities
• 5 full breakfasts
• Transport by private vehicle and public transport as per itinerary
• Professional English-speaking Intrepid group leader
• Guided walking tour of Lerwick
• Shetland Museum entry and guided tour
• Sumburgh – Jarlshof entry and Sumburgh Head guided hike
• Hermaness Nature Reserve and Muckle Flugga private excursion (including ferry to Unst)
• Eshaness guided coastal hike

Excluded

• Flights and transport to/from Shetland
• Lunches and dinners (allow ~GBP 15-25 per meal)
• Travel insurance (required)
• Optional gratuities for your group leader
• Personal expenses, souvenirs, and knitwear purchases
• Single supplement (available on request)

Why Choose This Tour

• Britain’s Ultimate Northern Adventure: Shetland lies 130 miles north of the Scottish mainland, closer to Bergen than to Edinburgh – this is a journey to the very edge of the British Isles, with landscapes and light unlike anywhere else.
• Viking Living Heritage: Few places in Britain retain such a tangible Norse legacy. Dialect words, place names, the Up Helly Aa fire festival, and even Shetland’s flag all proclaim its Viking heart.
• Unrivalled Wildlife: Hermaness alone hosts 100,000 breeding seabirds. Combine this with the accessible puffin colonies at Sumburgh Head, regular seal sightings, and the possibility of orcas, and wildlife lovers will be in paradise.
• Archaeological Depth: Jarlshof is arguably Britain’s most impressive multi-period site – nowhere else can you trace a continuous 4,000-year settlement sequence in a single location.
• Intrepid Quality: Intrepid Travel is a globally respected operator with a 4.5-star TourRadar rating, known for sustainable travel practices and exceptional local leaders.
• Perfect Timing: The 6-day duration allows genuine immersion in Shetland’s culture and landscapes without feeling rushed, and five nights in Lerwick provides a stable, comfortable base.