Shetland

We’ve been a couple of times. Stayed in Airbnb in beautiful locations. Book a cabin on the overnight ferry from Aberdeen and you arrive at 7am. I wouldn’t bother with a package as it’s easy to put it together yourself. You do need a car though. Lots to see, lovely beaches, bird sanctuaries, wild life, the ponies! , islands, good roads, Scandinavian feel. May/ June the best time it’s the driest time and daylight practically the whole time. Take books, sketch pads, paints, camera. It’s a real adventure.

If you are going to Orkney it pays to have membership of Historic Scotland. We packed so many archaeological sites into our stay there it was fascinating. It has now been suggested that people from Orkney brought their civilisation to Stonehenge.

Thanks everyone. Perhaps we should look at Orkney too

Lovely bookshop on Shetland!!

Sorry, Jane71, but you've muddled your Northern Isles!

Whoops, so I have. We've been to both and prefer Orkney: that's what I shoudl have said.

Im glad you said this Septimia, Skara Brae, Maes Howe etc are definitely in Orkney. However for information on Shetland, try Shetland.org Be warned broadband, wi-fi etc can be tricky in Shetland.

Sorry, Jane71, but you've muddled your Northern Isles! Stromness and the other places you mention are on Mainland Orkney. We've holidayed there every year since 2012 (apart from 2020). Shetland has lots of equally interesting placeswhich we're going to investigate this year.

Shetland is wonderful, but some can find it rather bleak. As Silverlining says, there are no trees there - well there are but not many, and only in a few locations - and not much tourist infrastructure. Great for wild life and ancient remains - Maes howe, Skara Brae, etc
We have always hired a cottage in Stromness (which is delightful), so can't help with packages.

I'd love to go to Shetland

Try Googling Shetland holidays.

I have friends who have been there a few times but they always travel independently.
They always enjoy it and were surprised there are no trees there. Wonderful wildlife opportunities.