Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Places to go

Things to do

Accommodation

Travel & planning

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

FIFA World Cup 2026

Cheer on Scotland at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and find information about fan zones in Scotland, stadium tours and more.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Countdown to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Less than 100 days to go until 11 days of world-class action across the city, bringing 3,000 athletes from 74 nations together to compete across 10 sports.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Start planning your summer break

Witness Scotland step into summer, with longer days and plenty of experiences to enjoy from coastal walks to fun exhibitions.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

Scottish music festivals

Find out what’s happening in Scotland this year

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

As seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter

Central Mainland Shetland - With Scenic Shetland

Delve back in time with a tour of the Old Capital - Scalloway, and visit it's historic castle. Hear about Shetlands traditions and culture, and discover the amazing story of the 'Shetland Bus during WWII.'

Tours can be booked online via our facebook page 

Itinerary for Central Mainland: half day (4-5 hours).

The Central Mainland is one of the furtile and bonniest parts of Shetland, due to the limestone nature of the soil. It is also steeped in history, Scalloway castle with its own story of intrigue and corruption, originally the ancient capital of the islands. Close by Tingwall Valley was home to the Norse parliament for over 300 years.

The tour usually begins by a visit to the islands of Trondra and Burra, connected to each other and the mainland by bridges. These islands are a photographer's paradise! At secluded spots, one can regularly see North Atlantic Grey Seals hauled out of the water at low tide. Also, there are Shetland Ponies in abundance. The churchyard at Papil has produced several Christianised Pictish stones, in particular the 'Papil Stone' and the 'Monk's Stone', the originals now in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. A short drive and an even shorter walk give a breath-taking view of the Minn Beach.

Returning to Scalloway we visit the castle, built in 1595 by Earl Patrick Stewart, a relative of Mary Queen of Scots, although very much a ruin now there is still much to explore.

The importance Scalloway played in the Second World War through the brave exploits of the  'Shetland Bus' operation has forged a link between Scalloway and Norway a link which remains strong today, with many Norwegians coming to visit the museum and other areas in the village that tell the story of events during these troubled times.

From Scalloway we head north through the fertile Tingwall Valley which in the summer months, abounds in wild flowers. The Asta and Tingwall Lochs are favourites with anglers due to the excellent Brown Trout population. Whooper Swans which normally breed in Iceland are commonly seen migrants but Tingwall can boast its own breeding pair.

At the north end of Tingwall Loch is the site of the ancient 'Ting', the Norse word for 'parliament'. Here the Lawting took place annually for more than three centuries.

At the head of the Ting Loch stands Tingwall church and the old Manse the home of the Reverend Turnbull and his family, a story of tragedy and faith.

We then head westwards to the district of Whiteness stopping at the Wormadale viewpoint with its stunning view south over Whiteness Voe. The road winds its way north to the parish of Weisdale. A viewpoint high up on the west side of Weisdale Voe

Our tour then takes us eastwards up the Weisdale valley passing the old Weisdale Mill, now restored and housing a shop, café and the Bonhoga Gallery, a venue for art exhibitions. A great place to stop for a cup of coffee. Around us is evidence of the clearances which took place in the 19th century to make way for sheep farms. We also pass the house which was the Executive Headquarters for the 'Shetland Bus' operation during the Second World War. Here also is Shetland's forest!! The Kergord plantations boast the greatest number of trees in Shetland. If your mind is on some other matter, even for a couple of minutes, then the likelihood is that you will miss your tree experience!!

A short distance further on there is a distinct change in the topography, the limestone giving way to metamorphic rock, thus the greenery giving way to the brown tones of heather-moorland and peat. We join the main north-south road taking the turn south that will eventually lead us back to Lerwick. On the way, we pass the Loch of Girlsta. A geological fault runs through this loch. Not only is it the deepest loch in Shetland but it is the only one that supports the Arctic Char, a fish related to Trout and Salmon. The loch is named after a Norse girl, Geirhildr, who drowned in its waters some 1,900 years ago.

A short distance from Lerwick, we pass the 18-hole golf course at Dale, a popular place for locals and visitors, especially in the long days of summer when we have forgotten what darkness is!

As with any tour in Shetland, flexibility is inbuilt, not least because of the weather. Although there are no long walks on this tour, it is advisable that visitors have adequate footwear and warm, waterproof clothing.

Tea, coffee and biscuits can be had at the Scalloway Museum which also has toilet facilities.

NB. Tours in association do not involve any long walks. However, good footwear is

advised. For your own safety, please keep well clear of cliff edges and if walking

on rough grassland, watch out for holes, especially rabbit burrows as they can

cause nasty injuries to the ankle.

I will book ferries but the costs of ferries, admissions and refreshments are not included in the package.

Preis auf Anfrage

Abreisedaten

  • Montag
  • Dienstag
  • Mittwoch
  • Donnerstag
  • Freitag
  • Samstag
  • Sonntag

Januar — Dezember

Kontaktdaten

SCENIC SHETLAND

4 Quoys Road
Lerwick
Shetland
Scotland
ZE1 0WH
Details zum Touranbieter ansehen

Tour information

Ab

  • Lerwick
  • Mainland, Shetland
  • Shetland

Dauer

Bespoke

Transport

  • Driver guide

Art

  • Bespoke
  • Private
  • Small Group (1-16)

Sprachen

  • German
  • Italian

Themen

  • Castles
  • History
  • Landscapes

Bildergalerie zur Tour ansehen

SCENIC SHETLAND

Informationen zum Anbieter

SCENIC SHETLAND

Small group tours around the beautiful Islands of Shetland of up to four people. Private tours undertaken at request.

Soziale Medien

Eintritt SCENIC SHETLAND

Öffnungszeiten

ANY DAY EXCEPT SUNDAYS

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Der Inhalt vieler unserer Webeinträge wird von den jeweiligen Drittanbietern und nicht von VisitScotland bereitgestellt. VisitScotland übernimmt keine Verantwortung für (1) Fehler oder Falschdarstellungen in Webeinträgen und (2) die Inhalte externer Links innerhalb der Webeinträge ((1) und (2) werden im Folgenden unter „Inhalt“ zusammengefasst). VisitScotland schließt jegliche Haftung für Verluste oder Schäden aus, die durch Verlass auf den Inhalt entstehen. Der Inhalt dient nur zu Ihrer Information und wird von VisitScotland nicht unterstützt.

Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Places to go

Things to do

Accommodation

Travel & planning

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

FIFA World Cup 2026

Cheer on Scotland at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and find information about fan zones in Scotland, stadium tours and more.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Countdown to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Less than 100 days to go until 11 days of world-class action across the city, bringing 3,000 athletes from 74 nations together to compete across 10 sports.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Start planning your summer break

Witness Scotland step into summer, with longer days and plenty of experiences to enjoy from coastal walks to fun exhibitions.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

Scottish music festivals

Find out what’s happening in Scotland this year

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

As seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter