The Shetlander

Discover the timeless beauty of the remote Shetland Islands on this ever-popular tour to the most northern outpost of the United Kingdom.

• Following a high-speed trip north to Aberdeen, you cross to Shetland for a 4-day exploration of its rugged shorelines, windswept rolling hills and rich cultural heritage.
• Visit the island’s outstanding natural and historical attractions and discover its stunning rock formations, unspoiled beaches and ancient archaeological sites.
• Enjoy the local arts and crafts, breath-taking landscapes and local wildlife, with highlights including trips to Jarlshof, Broch of Clickimin and Esha Ness, the breathtaking, rugged and dramatic coastline in the North West of the islands.
• On your return to the Scottish mainland you’ll cap this fascinating holiday with a relaxing stay in Dundee, one of Scotland’s most historic and elegant cities, steeped in golfing lore and crammed with beautiful architecture.
• With added extras including a visit Captain Scott's ship HMS Discovery and a visit to Keith and Dufftown Railway, this highlight-packed Scottish holiday is not to be missed!, this highlight-packed Scottish holiday is not to be missed!

Wednesday 3rd September
London to Aberdeen
Your adventure begins in the plush First-Class lounge at London Kings Cross, for a midmorning departure from London to Aberdeen. Travelling along the East Coast Main Line LNER service, you’ll enjoy complimentary drinks and a light lunch as the train travels north via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. You cross the stunning Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges and arrive in Aberdeen in late afternoon, checking into your conveniently located city centre hotel. The rest of the evening will be spent at leisure in the ‘Granite City’, exploring this hub of Northeast Scotland. (L)

Thursday 4th September

Visit Keith and Dufftown Railway and ferry crossing to Shetland

After breakfast, a road coach transfers you from your hotel to Dufftown, home of the Keith and Dufftown Railway. A privately chartered train then takes you on a return trip along the 11-mile long Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. This so-called ‘Whisky Line’ passes through dense pine forests, by the tranquil waters of Loch Park, and along the winding valley of the River Isla. On arrival back at Dufftown you have lunch served in The Sidings Cafe. After lunch you return to Aberdeen and visit the ‘Fitties’, a charming old fishing village nestling on the north side of the harbour. In the afternoon you return to Aberdeen and board the modern ferry for an overnight crossing to Lerwick. The ferry sails within sight of the north-eastern coast of Scotland before passing through the open North Sea. After dinner you retire to your private cabin for the night. (B L D)

Friday 5th September
Tour of the central Shetland mainland; and Scalloway museum
After an all-night sail you reach Lerwick on the Shetland mainland and have breakfast on the ship before disembarking. Your tour of the Central Mainland of Shetland starts with a brief coach tour of Lerwick before heading west to Tingwall, where you’ll enjoy a guided visit to ‘Carol’s Ponies’, a local crofter who breeds Shetland ponies. Moving on, you head to the island of West Burra to view the beautiful sandy beach of Banna Minn, after which you make your way back to visit Scalloway museum. In early afternoon you have a scenic drive to Lerwick to visit the Iron Age tower ruins of the Broch of Clickimin on its outskirts to round off a feature packed day we visit the awesome Shetland Museum. In the late afternoon, you check in to your hotel and later dine there with your fellow travellers. (B D)

Saturday 6th September
South Shetland mainland
Shetland’s largest island has a size of 967 km2 (373 square miles), making it the third largest Scottish and fifth largest British island. Today you’ll explore the scenic highlights of its southern mainland. At the Croft Museum at Dunrossness you’ll experience what life was like in a 19th century croft. Continuing south to Sumburgh Head, the coach stops for you to photograph the scenery.  Lunch is taken at the nearby Sumburgh Hotel. In the afternoon you visit the wonderfully preserved prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof, before heading back to Lerwick. En route you’ll stop off at the Hoswick Visitor Centre in Sandwick and take in the views of the uninhabited island of Mousa, which has one of the best preserved brochs (round tower) in Shetland. In the late afternoon you return by road coach to Lerwick and dine at your hotel. (B D)

Sunday 7th September
Northern mainland
Today is dedicated to the discovery of the natural wonders of Shetland’s northern mainland. Heading north through the wild landscape, you make your way to Hellister and visit the amazing Shetland Jewellery centre, where traditional Celtic rings and pendants are crafted. You now head up to North Roe passing glorious scenery and visit the award-winning community garden moved from the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show and located in a former church grave yard. On the return journey you’ll visit Hillswick, where you can see the hooch kettles that were used to treat nets and sails, and then the stunning, rugged cliffs at Esha Ness. There’ll be no shortage of photographic opportunities today to capture the amazing wildlife and scenery. After a very full day you return to your hotel for an evening meal. (B D)

Monday 8th September
Western mainland
On your last day on Shetland you explore the westernmost part of the mainland. On your journey west, you first stop at Mavis Grind for a photo stop. This is a narrow isthmus separating the North Sea from the Atlantic, just 108 ft wide at its narrowest point. Continuing on you’ll visit the visitor centre at Jamieson’s Spinning Mill at Sandness, a fantastic retail outlet for Shetland knitwear. Still further on you see the coastline at its best with views across to the island of Papa Stour. Returning to Lerwick you stop off at the scenic fishing villages of Walls and Voe, before rounding off your visit to these wonderful Isles. To round off a feature-packed day, you’ll visit the impressive Fort Charlotte, built between 1652-1653 during the First Anglo-Dutch War to keep the Dutch fleet at bay. You’ll sail back to Aberdeen on a late afternoon departure by ferry enjoying a unique opportunity to watch Fair Isle slip by on the port side as you enjoy your evening meal. (B D)

Tuesday 9th September
Aberdeen to Dundee
After your overnight crossing you arrive in Aberdeen. Following breakfast on board the ferry, your coach takes you south to Dundee for a visit to Captain Scott’s ship HMS Discovery. After visiting HMS Discovery, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Dundee and it’s many attractions before checking into your hotel for a farewell dinner with the group. (B D)

Wednesday 10th September
Return to London
Your Scottish adventure concludes with a return to London, travelling First Class on an East Coast Main Line Azuma service. You board the train at Dundee and again travel over the Forth Bridge via Edinburgh and Newcastle southwards. Lunch will be served on the train in First Class as you travel. (B L)