SHETLAND WALKING AND WILDLIFE DRIVE AND HIKE THE NORTHERN ISLES 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 SUMMARY 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. Tour: Shetland Walking and Wildlife Code: WSSSWW This holiday features hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s and hotels. We also Type: Self-Guided Drive and Hike Holiday include a guidebook, maps and pre-departure information pack as well as emergency support, should you Price: see website Single Supplement: see website need it. This holiday is only suitable for those with a vehicle due to the distances involved and the remote Dates: April - September nature of Shetland with little public transport. We can arrange car hire for you on Shetland and the option Days: 6 may be added during booking. Nights: 7 Start: Sumburgh Finish: Lerwick HIGHLIGHTS Distance: up to 10 miles per day Grade: Moderate Scanning for breaching whales from Sumburgh Head above nesting puffins IS IT FOR ME? If you are a fan of combining walking with a myriad Exploring the geos, cliffs, stacks and arches on the windswept Muckle Roe of wild landscapes, then this trip could be just for The roll of seals and porpoise in the deep blue depths between the isles you. With an abundance of wildlife in an area soaked in history this makes for a wonderful adven- The rich sounds of folk music accompanying a fresh seafood dinner in Lerwick ture. Hiking through a land rich in Neolithic, Viking, Nordic and Scottish history WHAT’S INCLUDED? Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, small WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? hotels and guesthouses. 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 Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch and Islands have to offer. We are passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last dinner not included but always available at accom- detail is taken care of. Each holiday we offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your modation or nearby. first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately. Information Pack: Guide Book, map as well as a detailed pre-departure information pack. SHETLAND WALKING AND WILDLIFE DRIVE AND HIKE THE NORTHERN ISLES to the rocky headlands of the Isle of Bressay. A ITINERARY: WSSOWW DETAILED DESCRIPTION recommended side trip is to drive across to Scalloway on the west coast with its ruined early Description: 6 walking days and 7 nights 17th century castle. An delightful 4 mile circular exploring the many walks and wildlife highlights coastal walk may be undertaken here. of Shetland. Day 1 Overnight: Lerwick Walking Days: 6 Arrival in Shetland - Sumburgh Head Nights: 7 walk - 2.5m Day 4 Average Daily Distance: up to 10 miles per day. Upon arrival in Shetland you will make your way Muckle Roe walk - 6.5 miles to Sumburgh for your first nights accommodation. Grade: Moderate A 1hr drive north through the remote moorland of Close to the airport and only an hours drive from central mainland Shetland brings you to the Lerwick ferry port, the settlement is perfectly island of Muckle Roe on the north west coast. Day Route Miles positioned for walks around the 3000 year old Connected by a bridge the island affords a archaeological site of Jarlshof and seabird filled splendid circular walk past lochans and rocky 1 Arrive Shetland - Sum- cliffs of Sumburgh head. An early arrival will slabs of red granite. There are views across to burgh Head walk - Over- allow much scope for local walks on this first day. the isles of Papa Stour and Foula in the misty A walk to the headland to scan for passing night Sumburgh distance. Rock stacks and natural arches frame whales above the nesting puffins, guillemots and Up to deep blue coves as you hike around ‘geos’, the 2 Drive and hike to Fitful razorbills is an absolute must. 10 Old Norse for deep clefts in the cliffs. The wildlife head - Overnight Sum- miles Overnight: Sumburgh potential is excellent with golden plovers on the burgh per heather moors and fulmar, ravens and shags on day Day 2 the crags and cliffs. 3 Drive to Lerwick - Over- night Lerwick Drive and Hike to Fitful Head - 5.5m Overnight: Busta/Brae Drive to hike to Muckle Following a relaxing night in Sumburgh you travel Day 5 4 along the south eastern coast to undertake the Roe - Overnight Busta/ exhilarating walk to Fitful Head. Dominating the Island of Yell - Gutcher walk - 5.5m Brae fertile Quendale Valley, the summit affords views An initial 25 minute drive takes you to the ferry to Fair Isle in the distance as jet black ravens Drive/Ferry to Yell walks - terminal of Toft where the short crossing brings 5 utter their guttural 'cronk' calls above your head. Ferry to Unst - Overnight you Ulsta on the northern Island of Yell. Moving Passing the beautiful mile long sands of the Bay Unst north east you arrive at the village of Gutcher of Quendale, Shetland's longest beach, the walk where a 5.5m walk down towards the ancient takes in the best of the southern mainland. Drive to Unst walks - defensive Burra Ness Broch places you firmly in 6 Overnight Unst Overnight: Sumburgh otter country! A quiet approach and a little patience will surely reward you with sightings of Drive to Lerwick - Over- 7 Day 3 these fascinating and intriguing mammals as night Lerwick they feed and swim around Sandwick Bay. At the Lerwick and town walk - 1.5m point of Burra Ness Broch you have lovely views 8 Onward Travel A 1 hr drive will take you to Lerwick, the capital of across to the Isle of Fetlar, famed for it’s Shetland for a relaxing day. The town has strong breeding phalarope. You are perfectly placed for Old Norse roots and is well worth exploring. A the ferry to the Isle of Unst to your next overnight walk to the ‘Horse of Knabb’ point passes hidden accommodation. bays filled with feeding waders and basking Overnight: Unst seals. The point itself affords lovely views across SHETLAND WALKING AND WILDLIFE DRIVE AND HIKE THE NORTHERN ISLES Single Rooms Recommended Reading Day 6 Single occupancy rooms are available though Shetland Diaries: Otters, Orcas, Puffins and this will incur an additional charge. Wonderful People [Paperback] - Simon King - Island of Unst - The Ness walk - 6m ISBN: 978-0340918753 Solo Walkers At the far north of Unst, this walk is a every nature lovers dream. A Scottish Natural Heritage The Orkney Walking and Wildlife trip is suitable TRAVEL INFORMATION reserve the trail takes you to high cliffs for solo walkers. overlooking Muckle Flugga lighthouse and Out Stack, the most northerly point of Britain. The Meals Getting to and from Shetland sight of thousands of nesting gannets amongst A hearty breakfast is included each morning. BY AIR the comical puffins is a worthy goal as much as Lunch and dinner are not included so you are the views. free to choose from the available options. Your The Airline Loganair and it’s partner Flybe accommodations will often provide a packed operate direct flights to Sumburgh from the UK Overnight: Unst lunch on request and this can be booked on airports of Glasgow (1hr 30m), Edinburgh (1hr Day 7 arrival. Dinner is available either at your 30m), Aberdeen (1hr 05m), Inverness (1hr accommodation or nearby pubs. 05m) . There are also connecting services from Journey to Lerwick many UK and International airports to Glasgow, Navigation Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Car hire may be A 3.5 hour drive with two short ferry crossings arranged for your arrival on Shetland. takes you south and back to Lerwick for your The walks on the Shetland Walking and Wildlife final nights accommodation. You will have ample trip are generally not way marked. We provide a opportunity to stop and scan the coastline and guidebook and general map though should you BY FERRY moors for wildlife en route.