best time to visit shetland for wildlife

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Meandering Wild

A guide to wildlife on the Shetland Islands

Situated in the cold, remote waters north of Scotland, more than 100 islands make up this sub-arctic archipelago. Shetland harbours some of Britain’s most abundant and diverse wildlife. This isolated archipelago provides an undisturbed haven for iconic northern species.

Each summer, over one million seabirds flock to the towering sea cliffs blanketing the islands. Wave after wave of gannets, puffins, guillemots, and razorbills arrive from their southern and Atlantic wintering grounds to breed. The cacophonous colonies and whirling murmurations of seabirds resting on sheer cliffs and rocky outcrops provide endless opportunities to observe iconic northern species.

Otters also thrive in the frigid but food-rich waters around Shetland, with densities greater than anywhere else in Europe. These charismatic creatures can be spotted with patience, whether hunting along the coastline or engaging in playful antics with their young.

Seeking solitude from human disturbance, northern gannets, red-throated divers, greylag geese, and a host of waders migrate to Shetland. Rugged shorelines, dotted with jewel-like lochs, shelter these summer visitors or overwintering species.

With its extreme isolation and abundance of fish, Shetland remains a true wilderness refuge . Nowhere else in Britain can match the diversity and concentrations of wildlife found in this archipelago, a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts and photographers.

Wildlife in Shetland

Shetland is a dream for birdlife and sea mammals with many transient visitors as well as permanent residents. When driving around the islands there will be wildlife on gate posts and pottering along the side of the road. Keep an eye and an ear out for golden plover, red-necked phalarope, snipe and curlew who can all be seen across the islands.

It is just a matter of keeping your eyes open and your camera ready . Dolphins, pilot whales and orcas are seen on a regular basis off the coast throughout the year. More unusual visitors may arrive along the coast and recent visitors include rosy starlings, snow geese, bearded seals and a very lost walrus.

As well as mammals and birds, Shetland has a large number of wildflowers . In the summer the meadows and cliff tops are awash with colour including bright pink sea thrift, white bog cotton and yellow iris.

The fulmar ( Fulmarus glacialis ) is one of the most commonly seen birds on the Shetland Islands and while it may look like a ‘seagull’ it has some special features. The fulmar is a member of the petrel family and excretes an oily, noxious substance when it feels threatened. The beak has a tubular structure on the top mandible that excretes salt. These seabirds spend much of their life on the open ocean and only return to land to nest. These are mainly seen during the spring and summer riding the updrafts on the cliffs.

Where to see fulmar: the cliffs around the Knab in Lerwick are full of fulmars as well as the bird cliffs at Sumburgh Head .

Puffins ( Fratercula artica ) are summer visitors to the Shetland Islands and nest in the sandy cliff tops. Their burrows are re-used year after year and their return each summer is almost guaranteed within a few days. The puffins can be seen returning to their burrows with sand eels and their antics can provide hours of entertainment and photography opportunities.

Where to see puffins on Shetland: Puffins can be found on the cliffs at Hermaness Nature Reserve , Sumburgh Head and on the island of Noss off Bressay .

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Seals are common all around the coast of Shetland. They haul out on the rocks and slipways and can often be seen bobbing just off the coast watching what is going on. Both grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus ) and common seals ( Phoca vitulin ) can be seen living together although the common seals are more common.

Common seals have a more rounded face and shorter nose with a mottled appearance. The grey seals have a longer face and a ‘harder’ appearance.

Where to look for seals on Shetland : All around the coast of Shetland is a chance to see seals. They can often be seen around slipways in the villages and in Lerwick harbour.

Otters ( Lutra lutra ) are found all along the coast of Shetland. They can be hard to find but with good fieldcraft and patience, it is possible to find them. Some are more confiding and can be seen running along the harbour walls and jetties. Nothing beats queuing for a ferry and realising there is an otter on the beach. The otters are easily spooked so keeping hidden is the only way to watch and photograph these amazing mammals. A local guide can make finding the otters much easier, especially if you have limited time on the islands.

Where to see otters on Shetland: Otters are everywhere on Shetland. Keep your eyes open while driving along the coast for their heads in the sea. They will usually swim to shore with a catch so watch out for their bow wave.

Black Guillemot

This amazing sea bird has a distinct black and white appearance which is offset by their bright red mouth. These small seabirds are found on the rockier sea cliffs and live in small colonies. Their favoured habitat makes them hard to approach. The black guillemot ( Cepphus grylle ) are distinct in behaviour and appearance from the common guillemot.

Where to find black guillemot on Shetland: these elusive birds congregate in small colonies. Look out for rocky shores where they have plenty of nooks to nest in.

Arctic tern

The Arctic tern ( Sterna paradisaea ) is one of the many seabird species that flock to breed on Shetland each summer, undertaking an epic migration that sees them travel from Antarctica to the northern islands. These marathon flyers make a 24,000-mile round trip each year in pursuit of endless daylight and abundant marine life.

Skilful aerialists, Arctic terns can be seen acrobatically plunge-diving for fish and aggressively defending their nesting territories from human disturbance or predatory gulls. Photographing their graceful flight patterns and capturing close-up shots of these hardy birds in their summer breeding plumage is a much sought-after wildlife photography opportunity in Shetland.

Where to find arctic terns on Shetland: There are a number of arctic tern colonies on the islands. You will know when you are near one as the terns will ambush you. Local guides will take you to the colonies if you want to photograph their aerial displays.

Great Skua – ‘ Bonxie’

The Great Skua ( Stercorrius skua ) or Bonxie as it is known locally is a large predatory bird. It is aggressive and lives up to its name as the “Pirate of the Seas”, mugging other birds for food. They will also kill smaller birds like puffins and shearwaters and steal eggs from nests on the cliffs. They are not afraid to dive-bomb humans and their loud calling can be intimidating as you walk along the cliffs.

Where to find great skua on Shetland: these birds can be seen across the islands but their stronghold is on Unst. Hermaness Nature Reserve is one of their nesting areas so keep an eye out as you walk the boardwalks to the cliffs.

The gannet ( Morus bassanus ) is a large and elegant seabird. They have a complex courtship which can be seen on the precarious cliff ledges that they use for their nests. Their nests are built from seaweed in the same spot year after year and many over the last few years are now incorporating more and more plastic debris and discarded fishing nets and ropes. The colonies in which they build their nests are a living and breathing mass of feathers.

These stunning birds have a dark yellow colouration to the head with pure white plumage and black tips to the wings. Their large webbed feet have superb green stripes and a blue outer ring surrounds each eye. The young gannets have a black-and-white mottled appearance on their backs.

Best places to see gannets on Shetland : Gannets can be seen at Hermaness Nature Reserve on the cliffs to the left of the boardwalk and on the Island of Noss. If you want to photograph the gannets diving on Noss then a tour with a photographer is the only way to achieve these amazing photographs.

Shetland Ponies

All over Shetland you will see ponies. These are hardy little souls who are out in all weathers. They are usually smaller than other ponies, especially the miniature Shetland ponies. Whatever their size they are stocky with short legs and the most amazing manes.

Finding Shetland ponies: Shetland ponies can be seen across the islands in fields and along the coastline. Always remember that their fields are private property and you should not feed the ponies. You should always park sensibly and be aware of your surroundings. For a guaranteed and personal experience, the Shetland Pony Experience is worth a visit.

Wildlife photography on the Shetland Islands

The wildlife in Shetland is often a distance from a safe area. This is especially the case on the sea cliffs where the ledges are not easily accessible. For this reason, a longer lens is the best option. A minimum of 500mm on a full-frame camera will allow you to capture the wildlife safely.

A longer lens is also needed for otter photography. The only way to encounter the otters is from a distance and the longer the lens, the easier and less intrusive your encounter will be.

Some of the photography locations are across rocky coasts or quite long hikes so a smaller lightweight camera may be a better option.

Spare batteries and lots of memory are useful to allow you to stay out all day. Given the weather conditions in Shetland, a dry bag to store personal items and a sturdy camera bag with a waterproof cover is essential. You will also need to consider a waterproof cover for your lens and camera body and lens cloth.

If you are travelling to Shetland by plane, you will need to consider the size of your camera bag as the planes are compact with very limited overhead space or footroom.

Best time to Visit shetland for Wildlife

Shetland is a year-round location for wildlife but the summer months are by far the best for wildlife encounters. Spring and summer see the birds visiting their breeding grounds and from late April the sea cliffs come to life. They are busy areas until mid-July when they start to leave for their winter travels.

June and July are the best times to visit when the weather is relatively settled and the days are long. This is when you may see orcas patrolling the shallows in search of seals. Even in the summer, the weather can be unpredictable and chilly. In the winter months, the nights are long and the weather can be wild.

Otters are seals are resident all year round although the shorter days and rough weather in winter make it harder work to find and photograph them. During November and December, care should be taken as the seals are having their pups and should not be disturbed.

How to get to Shetland

Shetland can be reached from mainland Scotland by plane and ferry.

The Northlink ferry runs from Aberdeen daily and arrives into Holmsgarth in Lerwick which is just a short walk from the town centre. The ferry is an overnight journey with a late-night stop in Orkney .

It is also possible to fly to Shetland with Loganair . The flights leave from a number of Scottish airports and fly into the small airport at Sumburgh. This is about 45 minutes south of Lerwick so either a hire car, taxi or bus timetable is needed to plan your journey on from the airport.

Getting around Shetland

Shetland has good roads around most of the islands and the roads are empty. It is easy driving and having a car makes exploring possible. there is a bus service but it is limited and will make photography limited and difficult to organise. It is possible to hire a car when you arrive if you do decide to fly or take the ferry as a foot passenger.

The islands are served by a small ro-ro ferry that runs on a regular schedule. The times can be seen here . It is possible to buy multi-use tickets if you will be doing a lot of crossings or just pay once you are on the ferry.

Getting to Fair Isle is a little more complicated. the crossing can be made on the Good Shepherd IV from Grutness near Sumburgh airport or by taking a flight from Tingwall airport. If you are going to Fair Isle then you will need to be flexible with your dates to accommodate any weather.

I'm Suzanne the traveller and photographer behind Meandering Wild. With over 30 years of experience travelling to different corners of the world in search of wildlife and remote locations nearly all of the advice on this website is from my own exploring.

Ultimate Guide to Visiting Shetland & Orkney

Home > Blog > Ultimate Guide to Visiting Shetland & Orkney

For many people, Shetland and Orkney are the remote islands ‘somewhere up the top’ of a map of the British Isles.

But make the simple journey north and you’ll discover cosmopolitan towns, world-class scenery, and some of the friendliest locals around. With a fascinating history dating back to Neolithic times, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit some of the finest historic sites in Europe.

Absolute Escapes have been arranging self-drive holidays in Scotland for almost two decades, and we like to think that our customer excellence rating of 99% is based on our first-hand experience. With this in mind, I ventured north to research Shetland and Orkney. A tough job but someone’s got to do it!

Armed with new-found knowledge from my trip, here’s my ultimate guide to these beautiful archipelagoes.

When is the best time to visit Shetland & Orkney?

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May and September are usually excellent months to visit Shetland and Orkney. They are not only quieter than June, July and August in terms of visitor numbers, but also statistically the driest months of the year.

The northern latitude means that the sun barely sets in summer, providing almost endless hours of daylight to explore. On Shetland, the long summer days and unique light are known as the simmer din . Winter months are very dark, and the sun sets before 15.00 on the winter solstice. The legendary Viking fire festival Up Helly Aa brightens up Shetland on the last Tuesday of every January.

Summer is the best time for nature lovers to visit. Puffins arrive here to breed from mid-April until early August, and your best chance of encountering orcas and minke whales is from the start of May until early August.

It’s also worth mentioning that Orkney is the UK’s most popular cruise ship destination. The busiest months for cruise ship arrivals are May, June and August, and you should avoid those months if you’d like to experience Orkney with fewer crowds.

Absolute Escapes offer tailor-made holidays which are created uniquely for you by our award-winning specialists. Our packages include hand-picked accommodation, a personalised information pack, and 24-hour support from our dedicated team.

Our popular Shetland & Orkney: Escape to the Edge itinerary is a superb introduction to the islands. It includes an overnight ferry from Aberdeen, three nights on Shetland, four nights on Orkney, all ferry travel between the islands, and (optional) car hire.

You can travel to Shetland by ferry or by plane.

The main ferry service is operated by Northlink and runs daily from Aberdeen to Lerwick, the capital of Shetland. Ferries depart from Aberdeen in early evening and arrive in Lerwick very early the following morning. The ferries are modern and well-equipped with comfortable en-suite cabins.

There are also several flights per day from the main Scottish airports (Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow), and regular summer flights from Bergen in Norway. The journey time from Edinburgh and Glasgow is 1.5 hours and 1 hour from Aberdeen.

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With around 100 islands, Shetland is surprisingly large and spread out. The main island, which is known as ‘Mainland’, is home to the vast majority of the population and is the fifth largest island in the British Isles with an area of 373 square miles.

Due to its size, you could easily spend a week on Shetland and barely scratch the surface. If you don’t have endless time, it’s possible to see some of Shetland’s top attractions over 3 or 4 nights.

If you’re travelling by ferry from Aberdeen, it’s worth remembering that you will arrive in Lerwick very early in the morning (07.30) which will effectively give you an extra day of sightseeing on arrival.

On arrival, many visitors make a beeline for the South Mainland which is home to some of Shetland’s most popular attractions:

• Jarlshof : The incredibly well-preserved remains of a 4,500-year-old Neolithic settlement. A true historic gem.
• Sumburgh Head : Popular visitor centre and nature reserve. An excellent place to spot puffins and marine animals.
• St Ninian’s Isle : This unique ‘tombolo’ beach is one of Shetland’s most scenic spots.

The island’s vibrant capital of Lerwick is also home to some excellent attractions:

• Shetland Museum : This excellent, modern museum tells the story of Shetland’s history and culture. Entry is free.
• Fort Charlotte : A 17th-century fortress built to defend Shetland from Dutch and French warships.
• ‘The Lodberry’ : The home of fictional detective, Jimmy Perez, from the Shetland TV series. This must be the most photographed spot on Shetland!
• Clickimin Broch : An outstanding example of an Iron Age broch, which is a stone-built round house found only in Scotland.

There are plenty of fabulous things to see elsewhere on Shetland. Here is some of our favourites:

• Scalloway : The island’s ancient capital is only a 15-minute drive from Lerwick and well worth a visit. Explore Scalloway Castle (closed in 2022 for conservation work) and Scalloway Museum.
• Eshaness : This rugged corner of the north-west Mainland is home to awe-inspiring scenery and bracing coastal walks.
• Unst : Britain’s most northerly island is home to sensational scenery and wonderful wildlife at Hermaness National Nature Reserve. Getting to Unst requires a bit of pre-planning (more info here ), but it’s well worth the effort.

With a natural sand causeway jutting out across the sea, the ‘tombolo’ beach at St Ninian’s is quite simply breathtaking. This spot features in many promotional images of Shetland and is justifiably popular with visitors, although – even in the height of summer – you’re likely to see no more than a handful of other people.

Nearby Scousburgh Sands is another idyllic and peaceful spot. The golden sands are backed with sand dunes, and you may be lucky enough to see seals bobbing around in the sea nearby.

My favourite beach on Shetland was Meal Beach in West Burra – an idyllic, south-facing cove with white sand and turquoise water. West Burra is connected by bridge from the Mainland so there are no ferries required.

Shetland’s roads are generally in excellent condition and it is stress-free to drive around the islands. Like much of Scotland, some parts of Shetland have single-track roads – in which case you will need to use passing places. If you see a vehicle coming towards you, or there is a driver behind you who wants to overtake, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right.

If you’d like to do a bit of island-hopping, Shetland Islands Council operate the ferry services on Shetland. These ferries are frequent and reliable, and we would advise pre-booking journeys in advance.

Public transport on Shetland is available in most places and is fairly reliable. You can plan public transport journeys on the Shetland Travel website.

Shetland’s ultimate island-hop destination is well worth the effort to get there. Unst is the most northerly island in Britain and home to the legendary Hermaness National Nature Reserve.

Getting to Unst (and then back to the Mainland) involves taking 4 ferries. These can get very busy in peak season and we would recommend pre-booking tickets for all journeys on the Shetland Island Council website:

• Toft (mainland) to Ulsta (Yell)
• Gutcher (Yell) to Belmont (Unst)
• Belmont (Unst) to Gutcher (Yell)
• Ulsta (Yell) to Toft (Mainland)

No payment is made at the time of booking – you will instead be asked to pay in full on the first ferry. You can do so by cash or debit/credit card. The staff are flexible and helpful if you miss a pre-booked ferry journey, however, you may need to wait a while until they can find a space for you on a subsequent ferry.

Most people drive straight through Yell (around a 30 minute drive) to take the second ferry across to Unst. Therefore, we would suggest booking the Gutcher to Belmont crossing no earlier than 40 minutes after the first ferry arrives in Ulsta.

Eating options on Unst are limited. Victoria’s Vintage Tea Rooms is open from Tuesday – Saturday (10.00 – 17.00) and booking a table is essential. Alternatively, we would suggest picking up a packed lunch from the Mainland.

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Shetland is, of course, world-famous for its eponymous ponies, which can be seen grazing by the roadside or on the heathery hills. During August, the local agricultural shows take place, providing excellent opportunities to see Shetland ponies in action.

People travel from across the world to view Shetland’s seabird colonies, including puffins, gannets, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes. It really is a bird lover’s paradise, and you are guaranteed to see puffins at Sumburgh Head and Hermaness nature reserves in season.

Shetland is also one of the best places in Britain to spot sea mammals, particularly common seals, grey seals, otters, harbour porpoises and, occasionally, orcas. The best time to see them is between May and August.

Accommodation on Shetland ranges from everything from tiny glamping pods and cosy B&Bs to modern hotels. For our self-drive packages, we will usually try to secure accommodation in Lerwick as it has good amenities and some fabulous places to eat and drink.

Although accommodation options are more limited further north, there are some lovely places to stay around Brae and Hillswick. These are good bases to explore the northern Mainland and travel to Yell and Unst.

Many of the best places to eat are in the main town of Lerwick – a bustling, cosmopolitan port with amenities usually found in much larger towns.

Fjarå Café Bar is a relaxed bistro just outside the centre of Lerwick which offers fantastic sea views, friendly staff and delicious food. Don’t miss the freshly-landed mussels.

Located on Lerwick’s main street, C’est la Vie Cafe serves French and Spanish specialities. While the cafe does not have an alcohol license, you are welcome to BYOB. It is open daily for lunch and dinner.

The Dowry is a modern space with a Nordic feel, serving excellent food with an Asian twist. The name was taken from the dowry payment by which Shetland and Orkney were pawned to Scotland by the King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden in the sixteenth century.

In Scalloway, Da Haaf Restaurant is right at the heart of all things maritime, serving excellent local seafood and other produce with a view over Port Arthur.

During the busy summer months of June, July and August, we’d recommend pre-booking an entry slot for Jarlshof on the Historic Scotland website.

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The ferry service from Shetland to Orkney is operated by Northlink . There are usually 3 crossings per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) which depart Lerwick at 17.30 and arrive in Kirkwall at 23.00. If you’re taking this ferry, we’d recommend eating dinner on board as most places in Kirkwall will be closed on arrival.

You can also fly directly from Shetland to Orkney with Loganair .

Orkney is an archipelago made up of 70 islands, which you could spend a lifetime exploring. If you don’t have endless time, 4 or 5 nights will give you a good flavour of the islands and allow you to see most of the top attractions.

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Orkney’s cosmopolitan capital of Kirkwall is a delightful small town with excellent attractions:

• St Magnus Cathedral : Known as the ‘Light in the North’, this majestic cathedral was originally founded in the 12th century by Viking Earl Rognvald.
• Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces : These palaces are regarded as two of the finest examples of architecture in Scotland and highlight Orkney’s strong Norse links.
• Highland Park Distillery : Enjoy a tour and tasting at one of Scotland’s oldest whisky distilleries.

Orkney’s exceptional prehistoric sites have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site called the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’. The most popular attractions to visit are:

• Skara Brae : This incredible Neolithic village is the jewel in the crown. Older than the Egyptian Pyramids, it offers a fascinating glimpse into life for Orkney’s earliest inhabitants between 3,200 and 2,200 BC.
• Maeshowe : This atmospheric chambered cairn and tomb was constructed around 5,000 years ago. It was broken into by Vikings in the 12th century who carved runic graffiti into the walls of the main chamber.
• Ring of Brodgar : One of the largest and best-preserved stone circles in the British Isles. This is a popular spot with coach tours, so we’d suggest visiting early or later in the day to avoid the crowds.

There are plenty of fantastic attractions elsewhere on Orkney:

• Stromness : With quaint alleyways and sweeping sea views, Orkney’s second-largest town is a lovely place to wander around. Pop into the Pier Arts Centre or Stromness Museum.
• Italian Chapel : This incredibly ornate Catholic chapel was built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II.
• Brough of Birsay : Walk across a tidal causeway to explore Pictish, Norse and medieval remains on a beautiful island. The causeway is only passable for two hours either side of low tide. You can check tidal times on the Met Office or Orkney.com websites.
• Yesnaby Castle : This wild stretch of coastline on the west Mainland is an unbeatable place for a bracing coastal walk. The sea stack, Yesnaby Castle, is a great alternative to the more famous Old Man of Hoy (see below).
• Hoy : A short ferry ride from the Mainland, Hoy is a magical island packed full of dramatic scenery, wonderful historic sites, and the legendary sea stack; the Old Man of Hoy. You can also visit the excellent new Scapa Flow Museum in Lyness to learn more of Orkney’s military involvement in the First and Second World Wars. You can find more information about visiting Hoy below.

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Orkney’s mainland has several fantastic beaches, so no matter where you’re staying, you’re not far from the shore. Just a short walk from Kirkwall you’ll find the beach at Scapa , or head further west and explore the shallow bay at Waulkmill .

In the east Mainland, Burray and South Ronaldsay, places like Dingieshowe , Glimps Holm and the Sands o’Wright are popular spots to visit.

On Hoy, Rackwick Bay has giant rounded pebbles, golden sand, and massive cliffs on either side of the bay.

Even further off the beaten track, the islands of Sanday and Stronsay have numerous beautiful beaches to explore, and there’s a good chance you’ll have them all to yourself.

Roads on Orkney are generally in very good condition and it is easy to drive around the islands. Some rural parts of the Mainland, and many of the outlying islands, have single-track roads – in which case you will need to use passing places. If you see a vehicle coming towards you, or the driver behind wants to overtake, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right.

If you’re planning to get off the Mainland and visit different islands, the ferry services are regular and reliable. These are operated by Orkney Ferries , and you can check timetables and pre-book tickets on their website.

Public transport is available across much of Orkney, with many routes passing close to the most popular sites including the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel. You can find more information and plan your journey on the Orkney Islands Council website.

The Old Man of Hoy is located on the island of Hoy, located south of the Orkney Mainland. If you’re taking your car to Hoy, you’ll need to take the ferry from Houton to Lyness. A foot passenger-only service is available from Stromness.

The Houton to Lyness service is operated by Orkney Ferries and we would recommend pre-booking your tickets well in advance during the summer months. The crossing time is around 40 minutes.

To reach the Old Man of Hoy, you will need to drive to Rackwick – a 30-minute drive. From here, it is a 2.5 – 3 hour (return) walk to view the spectacular sea stack.

Remember to give yourself ample time to get back to Lyness for your return ferry to Houton. If all else fails, you will also get a good view of the Old Man of Hoy if you’re sailing from Stromness back to Scrabster on the Scottish mainland.

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Like Shetland, Orkney is a nature lover’s paradise. It is estimated that 15% of the world’s seal population live here. It’s also a great place to see orcas and harbour porpoises.

Orkney’s towering sea cliffs are home to thousands of birds – puffins, guillemots, gulls, gannets and kittiwakes – while the marshlands and sweeping moorlands are natural habitats for the likes of curlew, hen harriers and other birds of prey.

Orkney has a very high standard of accommodation which is driven up by the 200,000 visitors it receives each year. You’ll find everything from cosy B&Bs to luxurious hotels which would not be out of place in a large city.

We usually prioritise accommodation in Kirkwall for our self-drive clients. It’s not only an excellent base to explore the Mainland, but there are also some fabulous places to eat and drink and good local amenities.

One of the best places to eat on the islands is the Storehouse Restaurant , which you’ll find in a beautifully-refurbished former warehouse just off Kirkwall’s main street. The restaurant serves high-quality local produce such as hand-dived Orkney scallops, Orkney lamb, beef and seafood.

Situated on Kirkwall’s Harbourfront, Helgi’s serves great gastropub meals using locally-sourced ingredients. The decor takes inspiration from Orkney’s Viking past.

Next door to the Highland Park Distillery on the outskirts of Kirkwall, the Lynnfield Hotel serves excellent Scottish cuisine. The decor is whisky themed, which is very apt considering the hotel’s location, and the snug bar is a perfect spot for a nightcap.

You may also wish to dine on Orcadian produce at the Kirkwall Hotel. The newly-refurbished Harbour View Restaurant offers intimate booths and fine views of the waterfront. For something a little bit different, you could try Twenty One in the heart of Kirkwall. This stylish spot serves small plates, craft beers and cocktails. For hearty Italian fare, Lucano serves traditional pasta and pizza close to St Magnus Cathedral.

Slightly further afield you’ll find The Foveran in St Ola – 3 miles from Kirkwall. This stylish family-run restaurant has sweeping views across Scapa Flow, and the menu showcases the best of the local larder.

During the busy summer months of June, July and August, we’d recommend pre-booking an entry slot for both Skara Brae and Maeshowe on the Historic Scotland website.

There are regular free guided walks around the Ring of Brodgar stone circle. Check the website for details.

Discover Shetland & Orkney with Absolute Escapes

If you’d like to experience Scotland’s incredible Northern Isles for yourself, our Shetland & Orkney self-drive itinerary is a great place to start. Our packages include hand-picked accommodation, all ferry travel, a personalised information pack, and 24-hour support from our dedicated team.

All of our self-drive holidays are tailor-made to your individual requirements, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with your dream trip and our Travel Specialists will make it happen.

Scott Smyth

P.S. Keen to explore Shetland and Orkney’s epic scenery on foot? You might be interested in our brand new multi-centre walking holiday .

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• Wildlife and nature
• Things to do

Shetland has a fascinating and unique natural environment. The location of the islands has contributed to the evolution of a truly 'Shetlandic' collection of scenery and geology, bird life, sea mammals, wild flowers and wonderful beaches.