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

South Mainland Tour - With Discover Shetland

This shorter tour is particularly suitable for cruise-ship passengers. This tour which usually begins at Scalloway, the ancient capital of Shetland and at one time was dominated by the castle built in 1599 by Earl Patrick Stewart.

The village lies on the Atlantic seaboard, six miles west of Lerwick and played a central role in the 'Shetland Bus' operation in The Second World War.

From Scalloway we head south diverting through the very picturesque district of Fladdabister. Like most places in Shetland, the name derives from the ancient Norse language and means 'flat farm'. Fladdabister is a good place to see Shetland Ponies and hosts an abundance of wild flowers in the summer time. A few miles further on we approach the Sandwick viewpoint. Nearby is the site of what was the Sand Lodge copper mine which operated from 1799-1923 and, in its day, was the biggest such mine in Scotland. From the viewpoint, we can also look eastwards to the island of Mousa on which the best preserved broch (Iron Age tower) in Scotland stands some 13 metres high and dating back to around BC200. It is best viewed through a pair of binoculars.

Our next stop is Bigton, looking over to St Ninian's Isle and the famous tombolo stretch of shell sand that connects the island to the mainland. If time and weather permit, we can walk over to the island and visit the site of the ancient church. In 1958, an archaeological dig was taking place at this spot. An eleven-year-old school boy was helping and whilst digging in the nave of the medieval church he struck silver! - a wooden chest containing 28 silver objects, thought to be Pictish in origin and dating to around 800AD. They are now housed in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Our southward journey takes us past some exotic beaches and landscapes where, at certain times of the year, it is possible to see dozens of North Atlantic Grey Seals hauled out on the sand.

A further 15 minutes or so takes us to the south end of the Shetland mainland. The road crosses the main runway of Sumburgh Airport (don't worry, it is safe!).

At the eastern end of the West Voe Beach is Jarlshof, one of the most important archaeological sites in Scotland. The name was coined by Sir Walter Scott in his novel, The Pirate, published in 1822. In the 1890s, after some terrific storms, the site was partially exposed. A series of excavations have taken place and it is now possible to follow a clear timeline tracing evidence of continuous human habitation, dated at the time of the excavations, from 2,700BC to the 1600sAD.

Our final stop is Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, now a visitor centre. It is a fairly steep climb up the winding tarmac pathway from the visitor car park to the lighthouse complex but the views are magnificent and from mid-April to mid-August the cliffs are host to thousands of seabirds: Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars and of course, everybody's favourite, the remarkably tame and cute Puffin! Also, from the cliff-side walk, one can glimpse other birds such as Great Skuas, Arctic Skuas, Gannets and do keep an eye out for whales, especially 'Minkes' and 'Killers'. (Transport up to the lighthouse can be arranged for anyone with mobility problems).

On the return journey to Lerwick, we call by the Shetland Croft House Museum where one can get an idea of what croft life was like a hundred years ago or so.

As with any tour in Shetland, flexibility is inbuilt, not least because of the weather. It is advisable that visitors wear adequate footwear and bring warm, waterproof clothing. The walk to St Ninian's Isle is really only practical for visitors doing the full-day tour. When cruise ships are visiting, some of the popular sites like Jarlshof and the Croft House Museum can be congested and may best be avoided unless a 'must' on your agenda.

For full-day tours, David can, if you wish, book lunch at the Sumburgh Hotel. Please note that the costs of refreshments and admissions are not included in the tour package.

Prix sur demande

Dates de départ

  • Lundi
  • Mardi
  • Mercredi
  • Jeudi
  • Vendredi
  • Samedi
  • Dimanche

Janvier — Décembre

Coordonnées

Discover Shetland

Discover Shetland
Scalloway
Shetland
Ze1
Voir les coordonnées du prestataire

Tour information

Point de départ

  • Mainland, Shetland
  • Shetland

Durée

½ Day

Transport

  • Driver guide

Type de circuit

  • Bespoke
  • Private

Thèmes

  • Archaeology
  • Geology
  • History
  • Landscapes
  • Wildlife

Galerie photo

Discover Shetland

Information sur le prestataire

Discover Shetland

Discover Shetland is owned and managed by local Shetland resident David Malcolm. David can take small groups (2-4 persons), and is ideally placed to give you a personal, informal and intimate experience of the islands. Discover Shetland offers the following tours: Central Mainland (half day); South Mainland (full day or half day); North Mainland (full day); Island of Unst (full day).

Visitez Discover Shetland

Horaires d'ouverture

open all year

Autres circuits du même prestataire

Visitez:North Mainland Tour - With Discover Shetland
North Mainland Tour - With Discover Shetland

North Mainland Tour - With Discover Shetland

Point de départ: Mainland, Shetland, Shetland

The north-west of Shetland (Northmavine) is undoubtedly the most rugged, wildest...

Durée:

1 day(s)

Prix à partir de:

Sur demande

Visitez: Site internet
Visitez:Unst Tour - With Discover Shetland
Unst Tour - With Discover Shetland

Unst Tour - With Discover Shetland

Point de départ: Mainland, Shetland, Shetland

Unst is the most northerly of the Shetland Islands and the third largest in size...

Durée:

1 day(s)

Prix à partir de:

Sur demande

Visitez: Site internet

Le contenu de cette page de produit provient non pas de VisitScotland mais de l’opérateur tiers du produit concerné. VisitScotland n’accepte aucune responsabilité pour (1) toute erreur ou fausse déclaration contenue sur cette liste page, et (2) le contenu de tout lien externe conteny sur cette page ((1) et (2) ensemble ci-après dénommés le « Contenu »). VisitScotland exclut toute responsabilité en cas de pertes ou de dommages potentiellement causés par ledit Contenu. Ledit Contenu est fourni à titre d'information uniquement et n’est pas soumis à la responsabilité de VisitScotland.

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