LERWICK, SHETLAND ISLANDS

We shall embark on our tour to the island’s most southerly point. En route we pass through the rural township of Fladderbister and pause to admire the view of Mousa Broch – the tallest and best preserved of all Brochs (Iron Age drystone hollow walled structure) in Britain.

We shall embark on our tour to the island’s most southerly point. En route we pass through the rural township of Fladderbister and pause to admire the view of Mousa Broch – the tallest and best preserved of all Brochs (Iron Age drystone hollow walled structure) in Britain.

Continuing onwards our route takes in the western coast and passes St Ninian’s Isle, where a Pictish hoard of silver dating from the 9th century was found in 1958. We will walk through time at Jarlshof where the archaeological remains extend over a time span of more than 3,000 years from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.

We then depart for the cliffs at Sumburgh Head Lighthouse. The cliffs around Sumburgh Head are on the southernmost tip of Mainland Shetland, and attract thousands of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, shags and fulmars. Gannets are regularly seen off shore and sometimes whales and dolphins. Summer is the best time to visit Sumburgh Head, when thousands of puffins and other seabirds put on a spectacular show from May to mid August. Each species of seabird has its special nesting place on the cliffs. Our guide will be knowledgeable about Shetland’s bird life, and will further enhance our visit.

The seas here are home to harbour porpoises (neesicks), white beaked dolphins and whales – killer, minke and even humpback whales are sometimes seen. Grey seals (selkies) often haul themselves out onto the rocks.

After approximately an hour here, we can then look out for Shetland’s famous ponies on the return to our ship.

TOUR NOTES: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking over some uneven and grassy surfaces. Some steps will be encountered. Our stops will be approximately 55 minutes and 40 minutes in duration. Please note that the buses used may not have air conditioning or toilets, and the itinerary may operate in a different order to avoid congestion at the stops. Passengers are advised to bring their own binoculars for the best bird and wildlife viewing. We can not guarantee which birds and sea life will be seen.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2009 SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC CRUISES