About Shetland

The Shetland Islands are situated 200 miles North of Aberdeen and 225 miles West of Bergen. We have over 100 islands with excellent road, ferry and bridge connections so that nowhere is very far away. The mainland of Shetland is approximately 70 miles in length and 35 miles wide, with a population of around 22,000 people, 250,000 puffins, 300,00 sheep and over 1,000,000 seabirds.

Shetland enjoys a temperate climate, warmed by the Gulf Stream, with long hours of daylight in the summer. In June when the days are at there longest there is no real darkness, the light gradually fades into a long twilight, the "Simmer Dim". Perhaps we should also mention that we have about the same rainfall as North Devon and less than half the rainfall of the West Highlands of Scotland.

There are lots to see and do in the islands. There are many fascinating visitor attractions and activities, from windsurfing, and water skiing to angling, golf, diving. walking, horse riding, and boat trips. Shetland has a great many well equipped indoor swimming pools and leisure centres.

Shetland has developed its own distinctive culture and economy. The main industries are fishing, tourism, agriculture, knitwear and oil. Many visitors come to the islands to enjoy the outstanding nature and wildlife, the dramatic scenery, the ancient monuments, and the unique way of island life. The Norse and Vikings gave the islands the place names and unique culture which set them apart from Scotland. Here are the friendliest islands in the North Atlantic; if you come as a stranger, you will leave as a friend!