Shetland Islands, Scotland

Shetland (Old Norse: Hjaltland; Scots: Shetland), also called the Shetland Islands and formerly Zetland is a subarctic archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, situated in the Northern Atlantic, between Great Britain, the Faroe Islands, and Norway.

The Shetland Islands are an archipelago in Scotland, United Kingdom. Composed of over one hundred islands, of which fifteen are inhabited, Shetland is located around 160 km (100 miles) north of the Scottish mainland.

“The Mainland” is the largest island known and has an area of 967 km2 (373 sq mi), making it the third-largest Scottish island and the fifth-largest island in the British Isles. There are an additional 15 inhabited islands in Shetland. The archipelago has an oceanic climate, complex geology, a rugged coastline, and many low, rolling hills.

There are 2 main towns on the mainland.

Lerwick — The only town of any size on the islands, Lerwick has a population of approximately 7000, around one-third of the total population of the islands. It combines a thriving port with some charming and picturesque architecture and is very much the heart of life in Shetland.
Scalloway — the historic capital of Shetland, with a large marina, castle, and reasonable selection of shops

The views around Shetland are just absolutely astounding. It is one of those places that you will need to visit in this lifetime.

I have produced a video that captures this charming archipelago and its surroundings, and it is now on YouTube for everyone to enjoy. View it in HD (1080p) if possible. Please check out my Instagram and Facebook accounts for more photos that I took during my visit.

Enjoy!

Orkney Islands, Scotland

The Orkney Islands, a group of more than 70 islands and islets, only about 20 of which are inhabited—in Scotland, lying about 20 miles (32 km) north of the Scottish mainland, across the strait known as the Pentland Firth. Orkney is a prosperous farming area despite its fragmentation. Its farms are small and owner-occupied, averaging about 35 acres (14 hectares) and using modern mechanical methods to achieve high productivity.

Skara Brae, an underground village on the west coast of the island of Mainland is one of the most complete European relics of the late Neolithic Period; this location and several others on the island collectively were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Norse raiders arrived in the late 8th century and colonized the islands in the 9th century; thereafter the islands were ruled by Norway and Denmark.

Connections between Orkney and the Scottish mainland are good, with daily air service to Kirkwall from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness and ferry connections from Stromness to Scrabster (just across the Pentland Firth), Aberdeen, and the Shetland Islands

There are various picturesque walks in Orkney, hence would recommend you do your research on the area and most importantly the weather, before you head out (and please ensure you have proper hiking gear).

I have produced a video that captures the stunning Orkney Islands and its surroundings, and it is now on YouTube for everyone to enjoy. View it in HD (1080p) if possible. Please check out my Instagram and Facebook accounts for more photos that I took during my visit.

Cheerio!

John o’ Groats, Scotland

John o’ Groats (Scottish Gaelic: Taigh Iain Ghròt) is a village 2 1⁄2 mi (4 km) northeast of Canisbay, Caithness, in the far north of Scotland. This Highland village combines dramatic, unspoiled scenery and fascinating wildlife.

John o’ Groats lies on Great Britain’s northeastern tip, and is popular with tourists as one end of the longest distance between two inhabited British points on the mainland, with Land’s End in Cornwall lying 876 mi (1,410 km) southwest, but it is not the northernmost point of Great Britain, which is the nearby Dunnet Head.

The sign you’ll usually find above the harbour at John o’ Groats says it’s 874 miles from, or to, Land’s End. And while Dunnet Head ten miles to the west, extends further north, and Duncansby Head, to the east, is probably a mile or two more distant from Land’s End, John o’ Groats is the place you start or finish if you want to cover the length of Britain – cycling, running or whatever you fancy. As a result, it’s attracted quite a following over the years.

Visitors can explore several gift shops at John o’ Groats and there is another coffee shop and a small museum. The Tourist Information Centre doubles up as a shop offering a very good selection of books of local interest.

I have produced a video that captures its stunning surroundings, and it is now on YouTube for everyone to enjoy. View it in HD (1080p) if possible. Please check out my Instagram and Facebook accounts for more photos that I took during my visit to the John o’ Groats

Ta!