THE SHETLAND ISLES - SELF GUIDED DRIVE AND HIKE HOLIDAY

From Sumburgh head in the south to Muckle Flugga in the north the islands of Shetland are a

delight for the walker and naturalist alike. The ultimate island adventure awaits the intrepid walker

with hikes through a rugged mix of heather clad moorland, imposing headlands, rocky skerries

and fjord like bays. Solitude reigns throughout these windswept isles where you may drive and

hike back through time to discover an historical melting pot of stone age, Viking, Nordic and

Scottish influence. Today a haven for wildlife, the land, sea and sky abounds with an array of

spectacular species.

With 6 walking days and 7 nights, this self guided drive and hike holiday provides the perfect combination

of walking and wildlife viewing. The trip starts at the far southern tip of Sumburgh head, site of Neolithic

Jarlshof and now home to puffins and a favourite haunt of passing orcas. The south eastern coast

beckons with an exhilarating walk to Fitful Head where the views from the 934 ft summit stretch to Fair Isle

and you may catch sight of rolling porpoises breaching the exposed waters. At Lerwick you have the

opportunity to explore the 3000 year old history of the capital where welcoming hostelries fill the air with

traditional folk music before moving on to enjoy one of the most beautiful Shetland walks at Muckle Roe.

The far north is next with a drive to the islands of Yell and Unst where walks to seabird filled sheer cliffs

look out to the most northern point of Britain. With a final night in Lerwick you will be able to rest your feet

and enjoy memories of this natural paradise.

This holiday features hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s and hotels. We also

include a guidebook, maps and pre-departure information pack as well as emergency support, should you

need it. This holiday is only suitable for those with a vehicle due to the distances involved and the remote

nature of Shetland with little public transport. We can arrange car hire for you on Shetland and the option

may be added during booking.

Scanning for breaching whales from Sumburgh Head above nesting puffins

Exploring the geos, cliffs, stacks and arches on the windswept Muckle Roe

The roll of seals and porpoise in the deep blue depths between the isles

The rich sounds of folk music accompanying a fresh seafood dinner in Lerwick

Hiking through a land rich in Neolithic, Viking, Nordic and Scottish history

WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US?

Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We have

hand picked the best possible accommodation in order to make sure that you experience the best the

Islands have to offer. We are passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last

detail is taken care of. Each holiday we offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your

first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately.

SHETLAND WALKING AND WILDLIFE

DRIVE AND HIKE THE NORTHERN ISLES

SUMMARY

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, small

hotels and guesthouses.

Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch and

dinner not included but always available at accom-

modation or nearby.

Information Pack: Guide Book, map as well as a

detailed pre-departure information pack.

Tour: Shetland Walking and Wildlife

Code: WSSSWW

Type: Self-Guided Drive and Hike Holiday

Price: see website

Single Supplement: see website

Dates: April - September

Days: 6

Nights: 7

Start: Sumburgh

Finish: Lerwick

Distance: up to 10 miles per day

Grade: Moderate HIGHLIGHTS

IS IT FOR ME? If you are a fan of combining walking with a myriad of wild landscapes, then this trip could be just for you. With an abundance of wildlife in an area soaked in history this makes for a wonderful adven-ture.

Description: 6 walking days and 7 nights

exploring the many walks and wildlife highlights

of Shetland.

Walking Days: 6

Nights: 7

Average Daily Distance: up to 10 miles per

day.

Grade: Moderate

Day 1

Arrival in Shetland - Sumburgh Head

walk - 2.5m

Upon arrival in Shetland you will make your way

to Sumburgh for your first nights accommodation.

Close to the airport and only an hours drive from

Lerwick ferry port, the settlement is perfectly

positioned for walks around the 3000 year old

archaeological site of Jarlshof and seabird filled

cliffs of Sumburgh head. An early arrival will

allow much scope for local walks on this first day.

A walk to the headland to scan for passing

whales above the nesting puffins, guillemots and

razorbills is an absolute must.

Overnight: Sumburgh

Day 2

Drive and Hike to Fitful Head - 5.5m

Following a relaxing night in Sumburgh you travel

along the south eastern coast to undertake the

exhilarating walk to Fitful Head. Dominating the

fertile Quendale Valley, the summit affords views

to Fair Isle in the distance as jet black ravens

utter their guttural 'cronk' calls above your head.

Passing the beautiful mile long sands of the Bay

of Quendale, Shetland's longest beach, the walk

takes in the best of the southern mainland.

Overnight: Sumburgh

Day 3

Lerwick and town walk - 1.5m

A 1 hr drive will take you to Lerwick, the capital of

Shetland for a relaxing day. The town has strong

Old Norse roots and is well worth exploring. A

walk to the ‘Horse of Knabb’ point passes hidden

bays filled with feeding waders and basking

seals. The point itself affords lovely views across

to the rocky headlands of the Isle of Bressay. A

recommended side trip is to drive across to

Scalloway on the west coast with its ruined early

17th century castle. An delightful 4 mile circular

coastal walk may be undertaken here.

Overnight: Lerwick

Day 4

Muckle Roe walk - 6.5 miles

A 1hr drive north through the remote moorland of

central mainland Shetland brings you to the

island of Muckle Roe on the north west coast.

Connected by a bridge the island affords a

splendid circular walk past lochans and rocky

slabs of red granite. There are views across to

the isles of Papa Stour and Foula in the misty

distance. Rock stacks and natural arches frame

deep blue coves as you hike around ‘geos’, the

Old Norse for deep clefts in the cliffs. The wildlife

potential is excellent with golden plovers on the

heather moors and fulmar, ravens and shags on

the crags and cliffs.

Overnight: Busta/Brae

Day 5

Island of Yell - Gutcher walk - 5.5m

An initial 25 minute drive takes you to the ferry

terminal of Toft where the short crossing brings

you Ulsta on the northern Island of Yell. Moving

north east you arrive at the village of Gutcher

where a 5.5m walk down towards the ancient

defensive Burra Ness Broch places you firmly in

otter country! A quiet approach and a little

patience will surely reward you with sightings of

these fascinating and intriguing mammals as

they feed and swim around Sandwick Bay. At the

point of Burra Ness Broch you have lovely views

across to the Isle of Fetlar, famed for it’s

breeding phalarope. You are perfectly placed for

the ferry to the Isle of Unst to your next overnight

accommodation.

Overnight: Unst

SHETLAND WALKING AND WILDLIFE

DRIVE AND HIKE THE NORTHERN ISLES

ITINERARY: WSSOWW DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Day Route Miles

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Arrive Shetland - Sum-

burgh Head walk - Over-

night Sumburgh

Drive and hike to Fitful

head - Overnight Sum-

burgh

Drive to Lerwick - Over-

night Lerwick

Drive to hike to Muckle

Roe - Overnight Busta/

Brae

Drive/Ferry to Yell walks -

Ferry to Unst - Overnight

Unst

Drive to Unst walks -

Overnight Unst

Drive to Lerwick - Over-

night Lerwick

Onward Travel

Up to 10

miles per day

Day 6

Island of Unst - The Ness walk - 6m

At the far north of Unst, this walk is a every

nature lovers dream. A Scottish Natural Heritage

reserve the trail takes you to high cliffs

overlooking Muckle Flugga lighthouse and Out

Stack, the most northerly point of Britain. The

sight of thousands of nesting gannets amongst

the comical puffins is a worthy goal as much as

the views.

Overnight: Unst

Day 7

Journey to Lerwick

A 3.5 hour drive with two short ferry crossings

takes you south and back to Lerwick for your

final nights accommodation. You will have ample

opportunity to stop and scan the coastline and

moors for wildlife en route. In Lerwick itself we

would recommend that you visit the Shetland

Museum with its varied displays covering the

history and natural heritage of these fascinating

islands.

Overnight: Lerwick

Day 8

Onward travel

After breakfast the trip is complete and you may

arrange your onward travel. We suggest that you

check out our Orkney Walking and Wildlife

holiday as an add on option.

Accommodation

We specifically choose your accommodation to

ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay.

They all offer a warm welcome to walkers,

traditional hospitality and delicious local food.

Single Rooms

Single occupancy rooms are available though

this will incur an additional charge.

Solo Walkers

The Orkney Walking and Wildlife trip is suitable

for solo walkers.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning.

Lunch and dinner are not included so you are

free to choose from the available options. Your

accommodations will often provide a packed

lunch on request and this can be booked on

arrival. Dinner is available either at your

accommodation or nearby pubs.

Navigation

The walks on the Shetland Walking and Wildlife

trip are generally not way marked. We provide a

guidebook and general map though should you

wish to back this up then we would recommend

purchasing OS Landranger maps 1,2, 3 and 4.

Grade

This route is graded easy to moderate due to

relatively short walking days on trails that pass

through some remote country. The terrain varies

from cliff paths and tracks to a little minor road

walking and upland moorland trails.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment

list which includes standard walking gear such as

good walking boots or shoes, warm and

waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Dogs

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate

walkers with dogs as many of the

accommodation providers do not accept pets and

in the spring and summer many of the walks

pass near to important bird breeding areas.

Recommended Reading

Shetland Diaries: Otters, Orcas, Puffins and

Wonderful People [Paperback] - Simon King -

ISBN: 978-0340918753

Getting to and from Shetland

BY AIR

The Airline Loganair and it’s partner Flybe

operate direct flights to Sumburgh from the UK

airports of Glasgow (1hr 30m), Edinburgh (1hr

30m), Aberdeen (1hr 05m), Inverness (1hr

05m) . There are also connecting services from

many UK and International airports to Glasgow,

Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Car hire may be

arranged for your arrival on Shetland.

BY FERRY

The Northlink ferry company operates overnight

services between Aberdeen and Lerwick (12.5-

14.5hrs) and there are connections from and to

Orkney (7hrs 45m).

In order to plan all public transport we suggest

that you utilise the Traveline website.

Inter Island Travel

BY AIR

The Airline Loganair operates regular services

between the Shetland Islands. And also between

Orkney and Shetland.

BY FERRY

The Shetland Islands Council operates services

between the Islands though it is important to note

days of operation.

SHETLAND WALKING AND WILDLIFE

DRIVE AND HIKE THE NORTHERN ISLES

HOLIDAY INFORMATION

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Public transport on Shetland

BY BUS

Bus services are provided by Zetland Transport

Partnership.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a requirement on all our trips

to cover cancellation or curtailment of your

holiday.

Availability

This walking holiday is available between April

and October. You can start on any date that suits

your travel plans though it is important to note

that certain ferry crossings may not operate on a

daily basis. You will find up to date availability on

our website. The Shetland Walking and Wildlife

trip is very popular so it is best to book as far in

advance as you are able to.

Price

Detailed up to date prices for our Shetland

Walking and Wildlife Holidays are available on

our website here...

Included

Hand picked bed and breakfast accommodation in en suite rooms wherever possible.

A detailed info pack and guidebook with map for the group leader.

Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem.

Excluded

Travel to the start or from the finish of the trip.

Lunches dinners, snacks and drinks.

Travel Insurance.

Personal Equipment.

Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage.

All ferry and air travel.

Entrance fees to specific sites and attractions.

Car Hire - Though this may be booked at a supplement.

Once you have read all the information in this

factsheet or on our website and decided on your

preferred itinerary, visit our website or give us a

call to confirm availability. You can then book

securely online at www.macsadventure.com, by

phone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886 or download a

booking form and post it to Macs Adventure, 44

Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH, UK or fax it to

+44 (0) 845 527 5688

Financial Security

In accordance with "The Package Travel,

Package Holidays and Package Tours

Regulations1992" all passengers booking with

Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the

initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all

monies paid to us, including repatriation if

required (this insurance will not cover repatriation

the country of origin for the passengers outside

of the EU), arising from cancellation or

curtailment of your travel arrangements due to

the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd. There is

no requirement for Financial Protection of day

trips, and none is provided. This insurance is

only valid for packages booked that DO NOT

include flights.

Book with Confidence. We are a member of

ABTA which means you have the benefit of

ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We

provide full financial protection for your money.

ABTA Member Statement

Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA.

ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers

to get the most from their travel and assist when

things don’t go according to

plan. We are obliged to

maintain a high standard of

service to you by ABTA’s

Code of Conduct. For more information on

ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration

scheme available to you if you have a complaint,

contact ABTA, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ.

Tel :020 3117 0581 www.abta.com

SHETLAND WALKING AND WILDLIFE

DRIVE AND HIKE THE NORTHERN ISLES

HOW TO BOOK

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

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