Shetland’s coastal scenery and dramatic landscapes make exploring the islands on foot one of the favourite pastimes for locals and visitors.
Now a newspaper feature exploring proposals to create a “Shetland Way” walk has won a national award – meaning the route has scooped its first prize before it has even been created.
Travel writer Simon Parker Simon set off from Sumburgh Head, winding his way steadily northwards. On the way he passed through spectacular landscapes and met an array of interesting people, including wildlife experts and Shetland’s “cake fridge lady” – click here to discover more about our cake fridges and honesty boxes. He also encountered extras filming scenes for the “Shetland” drama series.
Simon’s report on the experience, which was published in The Times newspaper, as well as digitally with a film has won the British Guild of Travel Writers’ award for travel feature of the year.
You can read the online article here (paywall restrictions apply).
Shetland is a walker’s paradise; with long swathes of uninterrupted coastline, peaty moorlands, heathery hills and inland lochs offering something for all walkers to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
While we want you to enjoy every inch of our beautiful islands, we also want you to stay safe. Here's some useful guidance to follow when you're out and about roaming the Shetland countryside...
Simon says he was “thrilled” to collect the accolade “about my favourite corner of Britain”.
He is a regular visitor to Shetland and was attracted back in 2023 to discover more about the proposed “Shetland Way”.
The concept is that the route will link communities across the islands and encourage more people to enjoy Shetland by foot.
Simon did exactly that for his article, “The new 100-mile hiking route set to bring thousands to the Shetland Islands”, reaching the conclusion that “moving slowly is the best way to take in the sheer majesty of Shetland’s wilderness”.
That is the concept driving the plans to develop the Shetland Way.
Moving slowly is the best way to take in the sheer majesty of Shetland’s wilderness
The idea was first investigated in 2022 and since then, VisitScotland’s Shetland Islands manager Steve Mathieson has continued to develop the proposal.
He says there has been good behind-the-scenes progress, working with Shetland Islands Council and Shetland Amenity Trust rangers to identify the best route, showcasing the most beautiful part of the archipelago, while also taking walkers into community hubs.
Steve said: “It is still a concept, but we’re progressing well”, adding that the 2022 feasibility study suggested the route would prove popular and bring economic benefits across Shetland. “There’s lots of work to do, but we are heading in the right direction.”
Winning an award before the Shetland Way is an official route certainly helps.
While the "Shetland Way" is a concept, there's still plenty to explore on foot in our beautiful islands.
There's a huge variety of landscapes ranging from spectacular cliffs and beaches to heathery hills and inland lochs, and there's an incredible amount of archaeology and history to explore. Wherever you set foot you are likely to encoutner some of our native wildlife.
Whatever piques your interest, Shetland has the walk for you.