The Scenery of Western Shetland

Experience spectacular sea cliffs, heather-clad moors, hidden beaches, idyllic farms, Celtic crafts and a forbidding castle ruin on this island drive. Crossroads of the northern seas, Shetland is unlike anywhere else in Scotland. A sense of the sea is ever-present, woven deeply into the island’s maritime heritage. Farming, too, is tightly intertwined with the isles’ story. On this wide-ranging panoramic jaunt, you’ll see cliffs lined with seabirds, coves curtained with wild-flowers, distinctive black and brown Shetland sheep grazing in pastures enclosed by tidy stone walls, pastoral streams and lochs – as well as a workshop specializing in locally crafted jewelry in charming little Weisdale Voe. In the islands’ former capital, you’ll stop for photos at famous Scalloway castle, a hulking ruin built in 1600 by a notorious despot who extorted crushing taxes and fines from the region’s residents before his excessive cruelty was properly punished. After he hung, his imposing bastion was left to rot. Today it’s a silent, photogenic curio lording over a busy fishing port. The scenery is far more tranquil as you cross the fertile Tingwall Valley, boasting uninterrupted farmland views with only the occasional church standing out against the horizon.

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing; include a light raincoat or umbrella.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.