Shetland: Island of the Vikings

Over one hundred miles north of the Scottish mainland lies the Shetland Isles, an archipelago of islands with over five thousand years of history and culture influenced by its Viking inhabitants.

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Over one hundred miles north of the Scottish mainland lies the Shetland Isles, an archipelago of islands with over five thousand years of history and culture influenced by its Viking inhabitants. With a mild climate and over nineteen hours of daylight, be enchanted by these islands' rugged beauty and serene seclusion. In this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you will see landscapes like no other, visiting internationally acclaimed architectural sites and museums to uncover this island's majestic history.

INCLUDES

Return coach travel

2 nights half board enroute

2 overnight ferry sailings with ensuite cabins and meals onboard

2 nights half board in Shetland

Light lunch on one day

Escorted by an experienced Shetland guide on 3 days

Excursions & admissions to the Old Haa, Skidbladner Viking ship, Croft House Museum, Jarlsof Viking archaeological site, Shetland Jewellery Nordic Workshop

Scenic drives of the Shetland Isles

Free time in Braemar, Scalloway, Lerwick and St Andrews

Good mobility is recommended to get the most out of this holiday.

Day 1

We travel north for an overnight hotel in central Scotland.

Day 2

We enjoy a leisurely start this morning with a scenic drive to Royal Deeside and a short stop in Braemar, a village in the heart of the Cairngorms. We continue north, catching a glimpse of Balmoral Castle before arriving in Aberdeen to board our overnight ferry with evening dinner and comfortable cabin accommodation awaiting us.

B, D

Day 3

After breakfast on board, we arrive in the remote Shetland Islands, where we are met by a local guide for a tour of the Northern Isles - Yell and Unst. On Yell, we visit the Old Haa Museum, which focuses on the lives of local Shetlanders before crossing to Unst. Home to beautiful beaches, we enjoy an included light lunch before continuing to Muckle Flugga, the most northern tip of the UK, and The Skidbladner, a full-size replica of a Viking ship, before we return to Lerwick for a two-night hotel stay at the Shetland Hotel.

B, D

Day 4

Today, we explore the Shetland mainland, taking in the sights of magnificent cliffside scenery, beaches and seabird colonies. Highlights include the Sumburgh Head nature reserve, five thousand years of history at the Jarlshof Viking archaeological site, the Croft House museum and the former ancient capital of Scalloway, with its fifteenth-century castle, fishing harbour and folklore museum. Don't forget to look out for the native Shetland ponies found throughout the island too!

B, D

Day 5

This morning, we head northwest to the 'Drongs', an impressive series of sea stacks. This afternoon, we have a guided tour of the Shetland Jewellery Nordic Workshop before returning to Lerwick, where you'll have some free time to explore the island's capital. This evening, we will board our return overnight ferry to return to the Scottish mainland, with evening dinner and comfortable cabin accommodation onboard.

B, D

Day 6

After breakfast onboard, we arrive early back in Aberdeen. From here, we take the coastal road via Arbroath, famous for its "Smokies" (a type of smoked haddock), before continuing over the Tay Bridge to St Andrews. Enjoy exploring this historic university town, the oldest in Scotland, where Prince William first met Kate Middleton as students. We cross the newest Forth Bridge before arriving at our overnight hotel.

B, D

Day 7

We continue our journey over the border back into England and our original departure points.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

Shetland Hotel 3*, Lerwick

Situated in Lerwick, Shetland's main town, the Shetland Hotel provides an ideal base for all your requirements with its onsite restaurant and bar.

Hotel Facilities

Restaurant
Bar
WiFi
Lift

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The map below can be used to check the price of a home pick-up. The map shows the price bands for each area we service. To check the price from your address either click your street on the map or enter your postcode or city/town and click the 'Check Price' button.

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Home Pick-up Pricing Key:

£90.00

£75.00

£45.00

£40.00

£30.00

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name	Address	Distance
Alfreton	Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT
Arnold	High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE
Beeston	Beeston Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA
Bulwell	Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE
Chesterfield	Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH
Derby	Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY
Heanor	Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG
Ilkeston	Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF
Leicester	St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG
Long Eaton	The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ
Loughborough	Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE
Mansfield	Bus Stop, Walkden Street Mansfield, NG18 1QN
Nottingham	Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE
Ripley	Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ
Rotherham	Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB
Sheffield	Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG
Toton	Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA