5 reasons you should book a dream trip to Shetland

Shetland has been at the top of my travel bucket list for quite some time, so when I had the opportunity to visit the most northerly isles in the United Kingdom, I jumped at the chance.

Before visiting, my idea of Shetland was of pristine beaches, an abundance of wildlife and the feeling of remoteness that allows you to switch off your mind and foster a sense of peace. I can happily confirm that Shetland was all that and more. While you certainly get a sense of solitude compared to the busy streets of London where I live, it was actually the community spirit and the friendly welcomes that really make this place special.

If you are considering experiencing this wonderful region yourself, here are five reasons why I love Shetland that will make you book that trip of a lifetime.

The only giveaway to suggest we have not washed ashore on some far-flung Caribbean beach is the colder weather. The beaches here are really that spectacular: turquoise waters with impressive clarity and white stretches of sand, some of which we had completely to ourselves upon our visit.

St Ninian’s Isle Beach is possibly one of the most famous coastal areas in Shetland due to its striking 500m tombolo shape that connects the mainland to the small isle, with waves crashing in on either side.

We spent an afternoon here as we booked a session with Haar Sauna, a small business that has transformed horse boxes into mobile saunas that we enjoyed between quick dips in the sea. After we dried off, we took a picnic and walked across the tombolo to St Ninian’s Isle where you can visit the remains of a 12th-century chapel.

Other favourite beaches included two on Unst. Skaw, Britain’s most northerly beach, was impressive for exactly that, as well as its outstanding view of the Saxa Vord rocket launch site. Easting Beach made me genuinely contemplate if I was dreaming: green grass dotted with daisies that gradually fades out into white sands with lambs hopping about on the shore.

You don’t have to be an expert on the ecological history of Shetland to be in awe of the wildlife here. If you are a keen birdwatcher, wildlife photographer or want to experience something spectacular, booking a boat touris a must (my advice is to book in advance as they are very popular).

The Shetland Seabird Tours, which departs from Lerwick, takes you out to the island of Noss to visit one of the richest seabird colonies, including gannets, guillemots, razor bills and more.

An evening boat excursion we took from Sandwick to Mousa let us witness little storm petrels whipping over our heads and diving into the ancient Mousa Broch they call home. On our last day, we spent time at Sumburgh Head lighthouse and spotted burrowing puffins on the clifftop.

You can’t come to Shetland without saying hello to the ponies, the friendly domesticated animals found around the islands grazing on the hills.

We also took particular pleasure in spotting the little seal noses bobbing in and out of the sea. Be sure to visit and donate to the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary, which rescues seals and otters for rehabilitation before releasing them back into the wild. Grey seal Smudge, who cannot be released due to birth defects, is there to greet visitors alongside any other rescued animals that might be there.

There is something about Shetland that draws strangers to talk to one another, whether that is locals or fellow visitors to the islands. There wasn’t a pub, cafe or shop we went in that locals weren't intrigued about where we were from and what drew us to Shetland, telling us stories of their own heritage and local history.

While some Shetlanders, especially in the outer isles, live remotely, the sense of community spirit couldn’t be stronger, as connection with one another is especially important. They make visitors welcome too, as invitations were extended to us to visit a local community event in Baltasound Public Hall, which ended in ceilidh dancing to live music from Unst Music and Dance Band.

We enjoyed chatting to fellow visitors during our exploration of some of Shetland’s most dramatic landscapes, giving tips on where to spot certain birds or how to get to a particular beauty point.

The entrepreneurial spirit of residents also shone through across the islands. While there were one or two well-known branded shops in Lerwick, it was much more rewarding to visit the abundance of small businesses, including local cafes such as Fjara, start-ups like Lerwick Brewery or browse the clothes at Jamieson’s Knitwear.

I consider myself a real history nerd, but my partner takes it to the next level, often wandering round the UK trying to find Iron Age hill forts or megaliths. Shetland is on another level for historic treasures, with well-preserved remains of croft houses everywhere you look, and the stone outlines of Viking longhouses casually by the roadside.

Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement is one of the island's most outstanding historic spectacles, showcasing the excavations of human settlements over 4,000 years, from Bronze Age houses, Iron Age wheelhouses to a Scottish laird’s house. There are plenty of brochs on Shetland too, but not one is more impressive than Mousa Broch, the best-preserved Iron Age tower in existence, so much so that you can walk up the thousands-of-years-old stairs to the top.

For a comprehensive guide to Shetland’s history, one of the first places I'd recommend visiting would be Shetland Museum and Archives, which not only tells the stories through beautifully curated exhibitions, but has some great archaeological finds on display.

One of the reasons I wanted to book a trip to Shetland was to see Out Stack, a small uninhabited islet off the coast of Unst which marks the northernmost point of the British Isles.

As the final full stop of Britain, if you were to sail directly north, you would not hit any other land until the Arctic. I have no other reason to have wanted to go apart from saying it's cool to have reached the northernmost tip of Britain.

While you cannot visit Out Stack on foot, you get a beautiful view of it while walking on the trails at Hermaness National Nature Reserve. You will also be able to see Muckle Flugga right next to it, the most northerly lighthouse.

I was not expecting the Hermaness hike itself to be just as jaw-droppingly beautiful, with dramatic grass-covered cliffs and burrowing seabird colonies set against the backdrop of the North Sea.

Start planning your wonderfully wild Shetland adventure.