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By Misa HayJanuary 21st 2013
Misa Hay

Shetland-based walking tour company Shetland Walking and Wildlife have responded to customer demand for a series of walking tours during Up Helly Aa week by devising a week-long programme of exciting one-off walks. Business owner Graham Uney said, “We've had a lot of people ask if we're running any walks during the week, from potential clients to many of our accommodation partners in Shetland, so have put together a special programme for the event”.

The walks are aimed at getting people out into the wilder parts of Shetland, and for this week the walks will be at all grades of difficulty so that the will appeal to everyone. On Monday 28th January the walk will take in some of the most beautiful scenery of the Westside, looking for winter wildlife, enjoying the wild Atlantic coast, and visiting interesting historical sites. Tuesday is, of course, Up Helly Aa day, and no walk is planned as people will obviously want to be in Lerwick for that. On Wednesday 30th the walk will be a gentle three hour historical and wildlife tour of St. Ninian's Isle, while on Thursday 31st the walk will be in the far north of Mainland, taking in the fascinating landscape of Fethaland. The walk for Friday 1st February will take people back into Northmavine for a long coastal walk at Eshaness, and Saturday 2nd will see Shetland Walking and Wildlife taking a group up to Unst to walk the west coast from Valla Field to Hermaness.

The walks for Monday, Thursday and Friday are full-day, leaving Lerwick at 9.00am, and returning at 4.30pm, and these cost £75 per person including transport from Lerwick. The Wednesday walk on St. Ninian's Isle will be from 11.00pm until 2.30pm, and costs £35 per person, and the Saturday walk on Unst will leave Lerwick at 8.30am, and return at 5.30pm. This will cost £95 per person, which includes ferry costs to Unst. Places are limited to six people for each walk, so booking is essential. Call Graham Uney on 01595 809438, or email him on wildshetland@gmail.com. For more information visit www.shetlandwalkingandwildlife.co.uk.