5 Days Shetland Viking Fire Festival Experience

Lerwick

You will be picked up from your chosen location- if arriving by ferry, you will be met at the Northlink ferry terminal when the ship docks. If arriving by air, we will pick you up from Sumburgh Airport. Please advise us of your arrival details at the time of booking, or as soon as you have confirmed your travel. Please note that there will be no tour guide for today's trip, however, you will have the services of our driver who will pass on their knowledge of the isles to you.

• Admission Ticket Free

Clickimin Broch

Visit Clickimin Broch, the best preserved in Shetland. The broch was built during the Iron Age and are unique to Scotland.

20 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bressay

For those arriving on the ferry, or early flights, we shall make a trip across Lerwick Harbour by ferry to visit the island of Bressay, famous for it's lighthouse. Note that if you are arriving on an afternoon flight, it will not be possible to visit Bressay today, but we will attempt to offer you a trip across during some of the leisure time in Lerwick on another day.

1 Hours 30 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Busta

We make the journey to Busta House Hotel, our home for the next 4 nights, arriving mid-afternoon (or later for those arriving on afternoon/ evening flights).

• Admission Ticket Free

Meal Beach

We make a stop at beautiful Meal Beach on the Island of Burra (please note, Meal Beach is on Burra not Bressay as indicated by Viator). The beautiful white sandy beach is even more awe inspiring on chilly winter days when few people are around!

20 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hamnavoe

We make a short stop in the sleepy village of Hamnavoe to admire the harbour.

10 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hoswick Visitor Centre

Visit Hoswick Visitor Centre which tells the fascinating story of the wool and knitwear industry in Shetland. There will be time to purchase lunch at the cafe (not included).

45 Minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

Visit the southern-most tip of Mainland Shetland. Sumburgh Head Lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson in 1821 and remains active today. The cliffs which surround it are home to hundreds of species of seabirds, including puffins during the summer months.

45 Minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement

The best preserved prehistoric site on Shetland, Jarlshof dates back to 2500 BC. Discoveries here have given a great insight into life in Shetland from prehistoric times through to the Viking era.

40 Minutes • Admission Ticket Included

St Ninian's Isle

We make a stop at St Ninian's Isle, connected to the Mainland by a tombolo beach. View the ruins of a 12th Century chapel, dedicated to Shetland's patron saint- Saint Ninian.

20 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Lerwick

This morning, we travel to Lerwick early to catch the morning Up Helly Aa march, in which the squads parade around the town showing off their Viking costumes.

1 Hours 30 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

After witnessing the paradem, we visit Scalloway, a quaint fishing village which was once the Islands' capital. During the Hanseatic age, Scalloway provided a safe harbour for sailing from modern day Germany. It played a significant role, more recently, in the Shetland Bus operation during WW2.

1 Hours 30 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Scalloway

After exploring Scalloway, we have an included lunch at The Cornerstone, a popular local cafe.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Lerwick

Returning to Lerwick in the afternoon, we enjoy a tour of Shetland's capital and only town. We visit Fort Charlotte, an artillery fort built to protect the islands in the Anglo-Dutch War in 1652. Next, we take a look at The Lodberries, famous for being home to DI Jimmy Perez in the BBC crime drama Shetland. We round off our afternoon with a visit to the Shetland Museum.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Lerwick

Spend some free time in Lerwick to get dinner or watch the sunset over the harbour, before it's time for the highlight of the trip. We head to the Up Helly Aa park to witness the burning of the galley before joining the crowds lining the town streets to watch the Up Helly Aa squads in their dramatic torchlight parade. A transfer back to Busta will be provided for those who wish to return to the hotel after the parade. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets for one of the halls to spend the night watching the squad's acts (tickets not included, please purchase them well in advance as they sell out quickly). We will offer a return transfer after the final performance in the morning, but please note it won't be possible to return to the hotel at any time other than the two transfers offered.

1 Hours 30 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Brae

After a morning at leisure at the hotel, we head to Brae for lunch at Frankies, Britain's most northerly fish and chip shop.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Kergord Hatchery Bookshop

We make a stop at Kergord woods, one of the few places on Shetland where trees have grown in the harsh, windy climate.

20 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Weisdale

Photo stop at Weisdale viewpoint to admire the scenery of the valley. On a clear day, you can see out to Foula, the most remote island in the British Isles.

5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Stanydale Temple

Visit Stanydale Temple. This megalithic site is the only one of its kind in Shetland. Although it is commonly called a temple, it is not really known what its original purpose was. When it was unearthed, archaeologists noticed similarities to megalithic temples uncovered in Malta. Note- the temple is located around a ten minute walk across fields from the road, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

45 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sandness

Visit Sandness, where we stop at Melby Beach

15 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Shetland Islands

On our way back to Busta, we stop at the Original Cake Fridge. A Shetland tradition, the Cake Fridge sells homebaked delights from a roadside fridge, working on an honesty box system.

15 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Eshaness Cliffs

This morning, we venture further north to Eshaness at the head of the Northmavine peninsula. Admire the dramatic cliffs and Stevenson-designed lighthouse.

20 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hillswick

We make a short comfort stop in the village of Hillswick to take in the scenery. Provisions can be purchased from the village shop.

20 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Lerwick

We return to Lerwick for some free time to explore the shops and purchase lunch. For those travelling on the Northlink, a transfer will be provided to the ferry terminal in the late afternoon (aprox. 5 minutes). For those departing by air, transfers to Sumburgh Airport will be made in accordance with your flights (aprox. 35 minutes). To make the most of the day, we recommend booking an afternoon or evening flight. However, should you find yourself on a morning departure, transfers will be provided direct from the hotel (aprox. 75 minutes). In this case, you will be offered the opportunity to visit Eshaness Cliffs on the morning of the previous day. Please advise us of your departure details at the time of booking, or as soon as these are confirmed.

• Admission Ticket Free