Wildlife & History of Shetland
-
Port
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom
-
Activity Level
Moderate
-
Excursion Type
All
-
Wheelchair Accessible
No
-
Starting At
$119.95
-
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
-
Duration
4 Hours
-
Meals Included
Meals not included
Head through Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, on a panoramic drive to the island’s southernmost point. Pause to admire the view of the magnificent Mousa Broch -- the tallest and best-preserved broch in the world.
En route, pause at St Ninian’s Isle, where the famous horde of Pictish silver, dating from the 9th century, was unearthed in 1958. St Ninian’s boasts one of the finest sand tombolos in Europe. A tombolo is a sandy isthmus, and this one is the largest active (shaped and reshaped by the wind and waves) tombolo in the UK. Walk across the sand to take in the sights. Discover the chapel in which St Ninian’s famous treasure was found -- 28 silver Pictish objects and the jawbone of a porpoise buried under a cross-marked slab close to the altar.
Next, drive through the wildlife observation area at the Spiggie Nature Reserve. From the hide, take in the beauty of the mile-long loch -- home to many swans, waders and terns.
Within the clifftop nature reserve of Sumburgh Head, at the island’s southernmost point, look out over a puffin colony -- an amazing rock skyscraper of seabirds.
En route back to Lerwick, you’ll stop to visit the tiny-mighty horses of Shetland at Robins Brae Shetland Ponies. Learn about these sturdy and very pretty little workhorses who have historically pulled well above what you would expect from their minuscule stature.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Dress warmly in layers with a windproof and waterproof outer layer; bring a warm hat, gloves and a scarf. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed.