Can you help in any way with the best way to holiday in Shetland in summer travelling from Midlands? Do we drive to and fly from Edinburgh? Or train to Edinburgh? Do we stay Sumburgh first night then move on to other places each day? Thinking 4-5 day break. Neat places to stay and eat would be welcome. Not a cheap holiday I know. Thanks!!

Hi, I'm a photographer based in Edinburgh. I'm visiting in January to finally experience the Up helly Aa (as it's been on my to do list for a good while now).

I understand some parts of the celebration are private and only addressed to locals, however, I was wondering wether any of the halls can still welcome some outsiders. I'd appreciate any contacts and or info about this, if any group is happy to welcome me for a bit I would be happy to supply some photos for everyone's document and memories.

Hi all -

Any graphics designers and/or screen printers on the island(s) that anyone can recommend?

Thanks!

Hello! I hope some of you will be able to help me. I would like a side job. (Mainland) Any recommendations of any good places? So far I know about CO-OP and SuperDrug. I was curious about SCOOP, but I haven't been able to check what the age requirement is.

Hi ya, i’m a student and my term is ending soon. I was thinking of heading to shetland for a quick trip in December, and want to keep costs as low as possible (times are tough 😪haha).

Questions:

1. (Ferry) I heard ppl just sleeping on the floors of the ferry instead of booking a seat, is there any nice spots I can lie down with minimal disturbance?
2. (Ferry) Is Magnus Lounge worth if? Maybe I can sleep in it?
3. (Bus) I want to take a walk at Eshaness Circular but it seems like the bus only stops at Hillswick. Would you recommend walking there from Hillsick (approx 6km walk)
4. (Bus) Is there any bus that goes to or near Culswick Broch?

P.S. not renting a car cos my wallet breeding flies 🪰

Edit: thank you everyone for being so helpful! We have experience of time on West Coast of Scotland etc but good to know it's worth putting in a lot more groundwork before our holiday. And also I think we'll avoid lambing season for peace of mind.

Hello! Myself, my partner and dog are planning our a wee holiday for spring next year up from Edinburgh. Last time I was on Shetland I was 14 so I am very excited to visit again. Just a question regarding your sheep. I understand there are a lot, but I am wondering if they are close to the road? Our dog (currently in training) is very excited to see sheep, mainly whining and panting, so is of course always kept on the lead if there is a chance there are any nearby, we're just wanting to prepare ourselves fully, and also so we don't disturb any of the woolly beasts if he does bark. He's more excited when we're driving past them rather than walking past so just wanting a vague idea of how densely sheepy it is, as honestly I can't remember.

Probably overthinking it just wanted to get a rough idea!

Hello everyone.

I am thinking of having a quiet New Year/eve celebration (31 December and 1st Jan) and considering visiting Shetland. (I really want to!)

1. I don't know if there will be any shops open (restaurants/pubs)

2. I have checked online and Shetland Arts does some DJ party to welcome the New Year. Is it worth it? Or should I do/visit/attend something else.

If I could get serious responses I would really appreciate your time and effort for your answers.

I just saw the most endearing story on BBC Breakfast about a friendship between a man and an otter, Billy and Molly, a documentary filmed in Shetland coming to Disney+. Billy met Molly and the otter was not in the best of condition, and Billy started to look out for Molly, help feed her up. Looks like an amazing watch. Billy and Molly: A Love Story airs from tomorrow Disney+!

Hi All,

Will be in Shetland for a week end of January/early Feb for the up helly aa. Just wondering if locals have tips on then event of where to stand to get the best views, What to do, What not to miss etc.

Happy to take any other tips as well for the rest of the week.

Really excited to visit.

I have been to Shetland once and loved it. In many ways I could live there but one thing I'm not sure I could adapt to is your cool summer temperatures.

You've got so many stunning beaches up there but is it ever warm enough to enjoy them? Is it the case of you're used to it so what may feel cold to people down south doesn't feel cold to you?

When you watch national TV weather forecasts in summer and see London and South East England often basking in 30°c heat, does it annoy you that you're getting about half that temperature? Do you prefer it being colder?

I know your summer days are longer in terms of light, and it often never really gets properly dark (simmer dim), so that's a bonus.

I ask out of genuine interest and nothing else. I've often wondered.

I have a friend on Shetland who regularly telephones me. Today he's just rung me from Unst (where he originally comes from), but he also telephones me from other places, mostly around north Mainland.

In the last year or so, regardless of the strength of his mobile signal, it's been very difficult to understand what he's saying because I only get about a third of the message. It comes in bursts of sound and cuts out. He can hear me perfectly clearly (he phones my landline).

His network is EE. Does anyone else have this problem phoning down south (I'm in Wales) from Shetland? Might it be something to do with the data link? Or should I tell him to buy a new mobile? It's fine when I phone his landline. I know I didn't have a problem last time I was on Shetland, but that was a few years ago.

For those of you who know Fetlar, I was walking down the Stakkafletts road towards the surgery, when I met a lady seemingly searching for something on the ground. She saw me and leapt up exclaiming that she'd found an unknown species of dandelion! She showed me 4 distinctly different types all lined up along the wall and then the one that was a new species that had a red stem( amending to the midrib being red). It was amazing (she was a dandelion expert) and all I could think about was how many times a dog had probably pissed on it going by... *sigh* there must be so much of this on the Shetland Islands (no, not things being pissed on) ;-) but in the most 'in your face' places you might find undiscovered gems.

https://reddit.com/link/1ggahg4/video/je4nmhol82yd1/player

Something is unearthed that should have stayed buried…

When a retired schoolteacher visits the remote island of Fetlar, in the Shetland Islands, she becomes obsessed with the mystery of a local man who went missing in 1965. While the island is plagued with strange events, she uncovers more than she bargained for. What is the true meaning of The AdderStane Prophecy? Who are the Papar, and why are they linked to Fetlar?

Received a glowing review from the Shetland Times. "Supernatural novel is excellent debut" - '...Kreska's first is an effortlessly entertaining and addictive read, with the conclusion of each chapter leaving the reader eager to move on to the next, unearthing a little bit more of the book's compelling mystery.'

Available HERE

Visit my author website HERE

Hi.

So, myself and a friend have been talking about moving away from our current location and Shetland is very much on top of our list - we're not criminals or anything so don't panic lol. The main reason is for the fact that it's so far away and remote (heaven if you ask me).

Collectively, we don't have much money to start off with (I won't say the exact amount), so I can't see us lasting long on that alone. In terms of work, we are both support workers, but my friend also has experience in childcare and myself in delivery driving. Although, neither of us are fussed about what we do for work when we start out. Housing - after looking online it appears that renting is pretty rare. Any advice/help on this would be appreciated!

So, yeah, I suppose we're relying on the kindness of strangers while planning our future.

I'm sure a few will say that we shouldn't do this but our personal situations are kind of telling us we should go for it.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer!

Has anyone here had any luck finding the A3 comet? Been searching every night with no luck. Thank you.

I became very interested in shetlandic from listening to poems and watching clips of the language being spoken in youtube

So I want to know if I can find a native speaker to practice talking with / or are there any websites that you guys recommend for learning this language 😀🙏

Also which dialect that you recommend the most ( Ex; Lerwick shetlandic / brae shetlandic / etc )

I'm thinking about visiting Lerwick for the 24th-26th of December again however I wasn't planning on leaving Lerwick last year so I have no idea how busses & ferries operate, weather permitting. Traveline is showing what looks like reduced services but I just wanted to double check :)

I have no real plan/sort of impromptu go where ever, so if there's any events or similar happening around those time, or cafes/restaurants to book a meal in for Christmas, I'd appreciate suggestions too :)

TIA

Hello everyone,

I work at the University of Glasgow, on a research study funded by Marie Curie. We're exploring the experiences of people living with serious advanced illnesses in rural, coastal, and island areas of Scotland. We are also interested in the experiences of carers.

We want to understand if people can access the resources and financial support they need in these challenging times. Your insights could help improve services and support for others in similar situations.

Who we're looking for:

• Individuals living with a serious advanced illness
• Or those caring for someone who is
• Living in rural, coastal, or island communities in Scotland
• Facing difficulties in accessing resources or financial support

What's involved:

• An interview lasting about 30–60 minutes (Can be in person, over the phone, or online—whatever suits you best)
• All responses will be anonymised (your name and exact location won't be shared), and we'll take every step to ensure confidentiality.
• As a thank you for your time, you'll receive a £25 high street voucher.

Interested or want to know more?

Please get in touch with me:

Email: Sam.Quinn@Glasgow.ac.uk

Phone: 07484 006217

Feel free to ask any questions here or reach out directly. Your story could help shape Marie Curie's campaigning and policy agenda.

I'm looking at relocating and one of the places I'm considering is Shetland. A couple of things I was wanting information about were what childcare is available and kids clubs(I have a currently 1 year old) from what I've seen the schools look good. I've also read about air/ferry discount for residents. Would I be able to buy a ferry ticket for say my dad with the discount or is it strictly for when I'm travelling and is the discount any good? Looking at flights its expensive but realistically I'm not going to be going all the time just to visit family a couple of times a year.

Hi there :) just wondering if anyone could advise me on whether the ferries back to Aberdeen are usually in time (7am) and whether it takes a lot of time to disembark (no car). We would need to be at the train station at 8am and not sure it is doable... any advice is much appreciated :)

Hello! I don't know if this will work, as there are a lot of you on Shetland, but I also know this world in general is very small, so here goes:

Last October my husband and I were visiting Skye (not Shetland, I realize. Just wait!) and we happened to misread the bus times returning from the Fairy Glen. We were stuck on the other side of the island on a Sunday afternoon, without many coins to our name and a perfectly good place to stay two bus rides away. We stuck out our thumbs, hoping for the best.

Not five minutes later two vehicles stopped and Jeremy and Heather popped out. If we didn't mind a detour around the north tip of the island they could take us back to Portree in enough time to catch our return bus to Broadford. We didn't mind.

This is where Shetland comes in: Jeremy and Heather were an older married couple on holiday and exploring Skye. They'd recently moved back to the mainland from Shetland where they'd lived and raised their family for many years. Skye reminded them of what they'd left, and the wife had done her midwife training on the island back in the 70s, so they were touring the place. Jeremy had hitchhiked around the USA in the 70s, so he was happy to give us a ride. Heather gave us some oatcakes, which were gratefully gobbled up. They drove us around while we shared life stories and took pictures of the lovely scenery.

When we got to Portree, we hugged and said goodbye, and I wished I'd asked for an address or email, but I didn't. That's why I'm posting here. I'd like to find a way to send them a thank you note and tell them how much we enjoyed their company and how they've turned into a fun story we tell friends.

Here's what I know about them: Jeremy and Heather. They have five (maybe six) grown children. They might live in Fife now to be closer to their grandchildren, however they used to live on Shetland and raised their children there. I think he was English and she was Scottish, not from Skye or Shetland originally. She was a midwife (maybe practicing during her time on Shetland?). They both have white hair and glasses, and are probably in their late 60s or early 70s. Hers is short and a bit more grey I think. They drive a red hatchback auto. They're practicing Christians. They told us this twice on our trip and coming from the Southern part of the US we thought we were about to be evangelized at, which is not uncommon, but they did not. Jeremy reminds me of some missionaries I've met in the past and I would not be surprised if he was employed by a church (not C of E. More like the evangelical or bible churches we have here).

I realize this is not much, but perhaps someone grew up with a friend who had parents that fit this description? Perhaps they can point me to where I can look next? Thank you for any help you can give, and we look forward to the day we get to hitchhike our way through Shetland. Or better yet, drive!

Does anyone know of any places to rent for a business that's pretty cheap. Preferably in lerwick. It doesn't have to be big or a shop front just a place where I can get on with some work that has electricity and running water.

I've been looking online and most places are way too expensive or not on the mainland so I was hoping someone here might have the inside scoop on private rent somewhere.

Hi!

Just came back from visiting Shetland and had a great time. During the trip, we went to Unst boat haven, and there is a viking map of Shetland iirc, somewhere on the left of the entrance of the museum... I wanted to buy a print or a replica of it but they don't buy that, and I stupidly didn't take a picture, would anyone be kind enough to send me one? Or to send me a link from where I could buy a replica or something of this map?

Thanks a lot

Ok so I know this sounds stupid but I've recently been travelling around shetland and Orkney and I wanted to ask locals about what the spiders are like on the Shettland Islands. I am phobic of spiders but I'm working on it and I'm now pretty good with them when they're outside but I noticed a distinct lack of spiders inside buildings when I was there. Albeit I was there in summer so I wanted to ask if you get many house spiders on Shetland at any point in the year and how big are they if you do?

So I'm travelling to Shetland for a week on 24th aug. My plan is to live out my van (work van with bedding etc). I won't be booking into accomodation as I'll be travelling all the time and seeing as much as I can. Are there places I can pop into for showers/laundry without booking into campsites, bnbs etc?

And does anyone have any recommendations for "must sees" or "must dos" while I'm there?

I wondered if anyone would be able to tell me a place that does piercings in Shetland? Aurora seems to have shut down so I wondered if there was anywhere else? :)