How often do the ferries run to the Shetland Islands?
The 90 minute crossing takes place up to three times a day.
Where do you catch the ferry to the Shetland Islands?
Ferries to the Shetland Islands can take 8-12 hours depending on the route. The quickest ferry crossing to the Shetland Islands is from Kirkwall, Orkney Islands. This route takes approximately 7 hours with 4 weekly sailings. Ferries from mainland Scotland take 12 hours with 7 weekly sailings.
Where does the Shetland ferry sail from?
Take the overnight ferry to Lerwick from Aberdeen or Kirkwall. The ferry is the most leisurely way to get to Shetland and the anticipation of going to sleep in one place and waking up in another is all part of the adventure.
How long is the ferry from Yell to Unst?
Yell is a wonderful island in itself; well worth your time. In order to reach Unst though, you must travel 18 miles from the Ulsta ferry terminal in the far south of Yell to the Gutcher terminal, to the North East. The ferry from Gutcher in Yell to Belmont in Unst takes around 10 minutes.
Do you need a car in Shetland?
Shetland is in some ways better explored without a car – the money from north sea oil that has so benefited the region has been spent on many things, including new roads. These are now, in my opinion, too good, encouraging too fast driving and a blurred perspective on the landscape.
Is Shetland closer to Scotland or Norway?
The Shetland Islands are the most northerly part of the United Kingdom, a group of islands 100 miles / 160 km north of mainland Scotland. The largest town, Lerwick, is closer to Norway than to Edinburgh, and culturally and geographically they feel more Norse than Scottish.
How do I get to Shetland from UK?
You can travel to Shetland either by ferry or you can fly from all major cities in Scotland. The main ferry service is daily between Aberdeen and Lerwick and is operated by Northlink Ferries. The crossing takes about 12 hours on a direct overnight sailing.
Do I need a passport to go to Shetland?
If you are visiting Shetland from the UK mainland, you don’t need a passport. If you are arriving from outwith the UK (for example, flying straight to Shetland from Norway) you will need one.
How long does the Yell ferry take?
around 20 minutes
The Mainland to Yell ferry takes around 20 minutes. Yell to Unst about 10. Weather conditions can cause delays. your own nerves about possibly missing the boat.
How do I get into Unst?
How to get to Unst. To get to Unst you need to travel through Yell. Scheduled daily ferries run frequently from Toft (Mainland) to Ulsta (Yell) and from Gutcher (Yell) to Belmont in Unst. Allow 30 minutes to drive between Ulsta and Gutcher.
What is the best time of year to visit the Shetland Islands?
The best time to visit the Shetlands is the summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest season. However, there are often cloudy skies, wind, rain and a bit of cold at night.
What currency does Shetland Islands use?
Pounds sterling
Pounds sterling is the currency of the United Kingdom, of which Shetland is a part, either will do, as they are interchangeable. Bank of England notes are what you need to take.
Can you see the Northern Lights from the Shetland Islands?
As Shetland lies closer to the North Pole than any other part of Britain, it’s the best place to see the Northern Lights.
What language do they speak in Shetland?
Scots language
Today, the language spoken by Shetlanders is a regional dialect of the English or Scots language but its roots are firmly bedded in Shetland’s Scandinavian past. This language came to Shetland with the Vikings when they arrived here about 850 AD.
What currency is used in Shetland Islands?
The official currency of the Shetland Islands is the Pound Sterling.
Is the crossing to Shetland rough?
The crossing can get rough as it takes you into open sea. We have experienced gale force winds on the crossing, but most sailings have been calm.
What is the main town on Unst?
Baltasound
Unst is largely grassland, with coastal cliffs. Its main village is Baltasound, formerly the second-largest herring fishing port after Lerwick and now the location of a leisure centre and the island’s airport.
Can you drive to Unst?
Are there a lot of murders on Shetland?
That would give the Shetland Islands a murder rate of 68.2 per 100,000 people — putting it 11th on the world’s most deadly places list. In contrast, the real islands have only had two murders in the last 50 years.
When can you see Northern Lights in Shetland?
In general, aurorae are most likely to be seen between mid-October and mid-March; it helps greatly to avoid times when there is a full moon and of course you should move away from areas with street lighting, particularly Lerwick, to have the best view.
Can I fly to Shetland without a passport?
What month is best to see the Northern Lights?
Thanks to longer hours of darkness and clear night skies, December through March is usually the best time to observe this elusive natural phenomenon (though you can sometimes see the northern lights starting as early as August).
How do you say hello in Shetland?
First things first, welcome to Shetland – hiyi, noo den, whit lik’, or whatever – you’ll find a few variants of this common greeting.
How many murders happen in Shetland?
Shetland recorded seven cases in the past year. There were two homicides in the area in 2019-20, a significant number as eight of the previous nine years had recorded none at all, with only one other in 2014-15.
What is a person from Shetland called?
It starts with Shetland’s individuality. Shetlanders consider themselves their own people — you better not call a Shetlander Scottish! Shetland isn’t making motions for independence from Britain, but you can easily tell that being British is a secondary consideration.