Spring is a favourite time in Shetland, as the islands burst into life after winter. Skylarks and oystercatchers can be heard again, breeding seabirds return to cliffs around the islands, and wildflowers add colour to the landscape. Musical celebration also returns with a bang, when the annual Shetland Folk Festival takes place in early May.
As the days lengthen, nature is everywhere: lambs appear in the fields, Shetland pony foals arrive across the islands, and the changing season makes it the perfect time to get outdoors and explore.
Like any season in Shetland, the weather can change quickly, so when exploring, always bring warm, waterproof clothing and suitable footwear. To read more about safely enjoying Shetland's spectacular landscapes, check out our blog post.
Every spring, Shetland welcomes musicians from around the world for its annual, much respected, celebration of folk music.
The Shetland Folk Festival is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest folk gatherings. Concerts take place across the islands, organised by volunteers and supported by the local community, while late-night sessions at the festival club in Lerwick are legendary.
The festival usually takes place during the last weekend in April and ends with marathon concerts where visiting bands rotate between several Lerwick venues, making it a must-see event for anyone who loves live traditional music.
Voar is the Shetland dialect word for spring. For crofters it's one of the busiest times of year as lambing season approaches.
But it's also a time when many outdoor activities restart – that often means getting on the water again, taking in part in Shetland's annual spring clean, Da Voar Redd Up, or heading to the hills to enjoy some fresh air and amazing wildlife.
Check out the features below to discover more about how important the season is in the Shetland calendar, and why it is the favourite time of year for many Shetlanders.