ITINERARY

DAY 1 We depart from our designated departure points and travel to Aberdeen where we will join the Serco Northlink ferry sailing overnight to Lerwick. Meals include: Dinner

DAY 2 We arrive early in the morning at Lerwick and after breakfast on board we will depart on a full day tour which begins with a visit to Scalloway, the original capital of Shetland. Later we visit the outstanding Prehistoric and Norse Settlement of Jarlshof, with over 3 acres of remains, spanning 3000 years since the days of the Stone Age, including oval shaped bronze age houses, iron age broch and wheel houses, Viking long houses and medieval farmhouses. We continue to Sumburgh Head, the southern tip of mainland Shetland and transfer to our accommodation. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3 After breakfast this morning we depart on a scenic excursion to the north mainland of Shetland. We will stop for a walk (weather permitting) along the spectacular sea cliffs at Eshaness, which offer spectacular views over the many skerries, islets and offshore rocks. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4 After breakfast this morning we depart for Lerwick, which you are free to explore at your leisure and view the various activities associated with the Up Helly Aa festival which takes place today. Keep an eye out for the various ‘squads’ of ‘guizers’ – groups of about 20 men who choose a theme and dress up as whatever takes their fancy each year. Only one squad, a different one every year, is allowed to dress up as Vikings and are known as ‘jarls’, the Viking term for Earl. As darkness falls (mid-afternoon at this time of year) the squads begin to assemble for the torchlight parade and eventually a procession of 1,000 men snakes its way through the streets carrying aloft flaming brands of paraffin-soaked hessian and carrying the superbly crafted galley which will then be ceremoniously burned in the spectacular finale to the day’s events. Dinner this evening will be served in a local restaurant. At an agreed time we will be transferred back to our hotel in the evening. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5 After breakfast today we enjoy another scenic excursion to the west mainland of Shetland, which will take us to Walls, terminus for the ferry service to the island of Foula, and the headland at Sandness, overlooking the island of Papa Stour. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6 After a leisurely breakfast we depart for a full day tour which, weather permitting, will take us to the northern isles of Yell and Unst. We travel north through Tingwall and Girlsta before arriving at Toft, where the ferry departs for the island of Yell. After a 15-minute crossing we travel across Yell to Gutcher at the north end of the island. After a refreshment stop we make another short ferry crossing to the island of Unst. After lunch at Baltasound (not included) we continue northwards again, (about as far north as it is possible to travel by coach in the British Isles) and enjoy the marvellous views from Saxavord Hill. Our return route takes us via East Yell and Burravoe. Back at Lerwick we will re-join the ferry back to Aberdeen. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7 After breakfast on board we will disembark in Aberdeen. We will then return to the original pick up points, where we anticipate arriving late morning/early afternoon. Meals include: Breakfast