Shetland Islands - Lerwick / Eshaness / Sumburgh.

To escape the stress of everyday living, journey to the wild Shetland Islands. The achipelago of Islands lie far out in the North Sea and Atlantic ocean, isolated mid way between Scotland and Norway.

To get there cruise over to Lerwick on the North Link car ferry, a 12 hour trip from Aberdeen,3 times a week or fly flybe to Sumburgh Airport on a 37 seater saab prop plane from several airports, such as Glasgow or Inverness in just over an hour. Once on mainland Shetland, other ferries and flights are available to transport you to the out lying inhabited islands of Bressay, Whalsay, Yell, Unst, Fetlar, Out Skerries, Papa Stour, Foula and Fair Isle.

Pick up a rental car at Sumburgh airport or in Lerwick from Grantfield Garage and spend a day or two exploring mainland Shetland. For scenery and views take the road north up by Whiteness, then up to the lighthouse and rugged cliffs of Eshaness.

Eschaness

For history - Clickimin broch in Lerwick dates back to a bronze age house built around 600BC. In the iron age, further houses, a defensive ring wall, an impressive block house and the Broch tower were added. Scalloway castle is situated near the harbour and the major old town of Scalloway.
For beaches,check out Banna Minn Beach on West Barra, Levenwick beach and Sumburgh beach.

Sumburgh Beach

Not to be missed is a trip to St Ninian's Isle, where you have to walk across a tombola beach from mainland Shetland to St Ninian's Isle.

St Ninian's Isle

For eating out - Lerwick has the freshest tasting fish and chips and an award winning Indian restaurant.
A review of Alder Lodge Guest House - For lodging in Lerwick, I can recommend the Alder Lodge Guest House, formerly the home of the first bank in Shetland, which has spacious, well appointed en-suite rooms. It is centrally located, only a few minutes walk to the harbour and town centre and offers delicious cooked breakfasts.

To really escape everyday living and to experience isolation and undisturbed nature at it's best, try the Shetland Islands for a relaxing and refreshing break!