Thinking of going to the Shetland isles next year as we can no longer go abroad due to health insurance comic prices.

[kensowerby]

for

 

[witzend]

for

Your not alone

 

[kensowerby]

something went wrong as the message request is missing????
We are thinking of going in the spring and would be very interested in any information regarding places to see and stay
I think it will have changed from the late 60s/early70s and the building of Sullom Voe
Many thanks
Stay safe
Ken

 

[barryd]

I went in the noughties on a boys trip. Interesting but a right pain to get there. Inter island ferries were cheap as well. Plenty of places to wild camp or there was. We set off on a mission to get to Muckle Flugga which is the most northerly part of the British isles. We got as far as the beach on Unst (Two hops on the Ferry from Shetland mainland) looking out on the rocky outcrop that is Muckle Flugga. Took us about three days to get there from Darlington! Its worth coming back through Orkney as well and seeing that also.

The highlight of the entire trip was playing in an REM tribute band on the Aberdeen to Shetland ferry at 1am in the bar. Its a 12 hour crossing from memory.

 

[jagmanx]

I suggest you watch the BBC Shetland crime series to checkout roads and scenery.

 

[Sooloo]

Definitely go, it's good for the soul. Recharge your batteries with lots of beautiful wild camps, interesting places, dramatic scenery, lovely friendly people, fabulous seafood and amazing sunsets. Don't be put off by the weather - it's changeable but in summer it can be as warm and pleasant as anywhere else. The ferries are fun and cheap and go to Orkney as well as that is also amazing.

 

[winks]

I'd advise going, or returning, via Orkney since you're all that way north.

We did a trip with the car about twenty years back and it still holds great memories for us. We went via Scrabster/Stromness and returned the same route to give us two bites at Orkney. Returned on the evening boat from Lerwick to Kirkwall, a few days around Orkney then back via Stromness/Scrabster.

Got loads of ideas for you.

Cheers

H

 

[winks]

I went in the noughties on a boys trip. Interesting but a right pain to get there. Inter island ferries were cheap as well. Plenty of places to wild camp or there was. We set off on a mission to get to Muckle Flugga which is the most northerly part of the British isles. We got as far as the beach on Unst (Two hops on the Ferry from Shetland mainland) looking out on the rocky outcrop that is Muckle Flugga. Took us about three days to get there from Darlington! Its worth coming back through Orkney as well and seeing that also.

The highlight of the entire trip was playing in an REM tribute band on the Aberdeen to Shetland ferry at 1am in the bar. Its a 12 hour crossing from memory.

Muckle Flugga, now there's a monika that shouldn't be attempted after a few pints.

We walked from the car park and over the top of Hermaness, spent a full day wandering about and trying to dodge the Bonksies. Stayed a couple of nights in Haroldwick and went over to Scaur and the radar station at Saxa Vord. The boat museum in Haroldswick is worth visit as is the phone box by the post office, famous for being the point from which I called my girlfriend (now wife) from in 1974.

Oooh got to go back again now.

Cheers

H

 

[r4dent]

Thinking of going to the Shetland isles next year as we can no longer go abroad due to health insurance comic prices.

All depends on your definition of "comic".

I had a heart attack a few years ago and have to inject insulin dailly.
SWMBO is also diabetic (drug controlled and takes medication for a heart condition.
On our last EU trip in the MoHo she ended up in a Spanish hospital for a couple of weeks.
Both of us are nearer to 80 than 70.

Our joint annual multi trip worldwide cover costs around £1,700.
Under £5 a day, about 1/3rd the cost of 20 cigarettes. (Haven't smoked since the '60s)

Yes it is a noticeable expenditure, but the alternative is to die richer and pay a lot of inheritance tax.

 

[barryd]

One of the highlights of my Shetland trip was visiting the Unst Bus shelter. There was even half a bottle of scotch in it for the weary traveller which of course I helped myself to.

Unst Bus Shelter - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The highlight of Orkney was being chased around the standing stones by a woman in a Werewolf mask. Oh and seeing a band Called "The Tribe" in Kirkwall. That was a night to remember. The Scarabray Neolithic village on Orkney is worth seeing but not as exciting as the other two highlights. Also there are cheap as chips internal flights to the other islands which are great fun and a good way to see the islands from the Air (Orkney not sure about Shetland)

 

[winks]

One of the highlights of my Shetland trip was visiting the Unst Bus shelter. There was even half a bottle of scotch in it for the weary traveller which of course I helped myself to.

Unst Bus Shelter - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The highlight of Orkney was being chased around the standing stones by a woman in a Werewolf mask. Oh and seeing a band Called "The Tribe" in Kirkwall. That was a night to remember. The Scarabray Neolithic village on Orkney is worth seeing but not as exciting as the other two highlights. Also there are cheap as chips internal flights to the other islands which are great fun and a good way to see the islands from the Air (Orkney not sure about Shetland)

We did a hop around the Orkney islands on the afternoon flight that picks up the teachers from the small islands. Had to book an interest up at the airport at 10.00am then turn up about half two and if there was room you’d get the flight. Never left the aircraft and didn’t include the Westray to Papay flight but passed a pleasant hour or so.

Cheers

H

 

[r4dent]

One of the highlights of my Shetland trip was visiting the Unst Bus shelter. There was even half a bottle of scotch in it for the weary traveller which of course I helped myself to.

[

That reminds me.

The last time was up there I had to take a sample to the Docs.
Only container I could find was an empty Scotch half bottle.

Lost it somewhere.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Loved Orkney so much when we went in 2023 that we've (only just!) managed to squeeze in again on next year's trip via motorhomer (it's Phil's last organised trip to Orkney for us all ).

Neil fancies Shetland

Me, I'd go everywhere and anywhere round Scotland and the Islands given half a chance and a willing companion!

 

[barryd]

We did a hop around the Orkney islands on the afternoon flight that picks up the teachers from the small islands. Had to book an interest up at the airport at 10.00am then turn up about half two and if there was room you’d get the flight. Never left the aircraft and didn’t include the Westray to Papay flight but passed a pleasant hour or so.

Cheers

H

We went to North Ronaldsay in the plane. There is an observatory there you can spend the night at it. We left Werewolf girl there. We had a wonder round and on the way back it made a couple of stops at passenger requests at other islands. Like a bus service.

I can't remember if that was the year I had a fight with a seal on a beach that tried to get into my tent at 3am.

 

[runnach]

We went to North Ronaldsay in the plane. There is an observatory there you can spend the night at it. We left Werewolf girl there. We had a wonder round and on the way back it made a couple of stops at passenger requests at other islands. Like a bus service.

I can't remember if that was the year I had a fight with a seal on a beach that tried to get into my tent at 3am.

Bet it was a male seal

 

[2cv]

Over 40 years ago we first met in the bar at the Baltasound hotel on Unst. I’d definitely recommend a trip up to Unst via the ferries.
Another spot that can be spectacular is to take the little road up to the radio masts on the highest part of the mainland. At times in the summer it’s an escape from the fog to a great view above it.

 

[barryd]

Over 40 years ago we first met in the bar at the Baltasound hotel on Unst. I’d definitely recommend a trip up to Unst via the ferries.
Another spot that can be spectacular is to take the little road up to the radio masts on the highest part of the mainland. At times in the summer it’s an escape from the fog to a great view above it.

There is an old abandoned RAF base from WW2 on Unst as well. We had a good rake around that as well.

 

[Robmac]

We went to North Ronaldsay in the plane. There is an observatory there you can spend the night at it. We left Werewolf girl there. We had a wonder round and on the way back it made a couple of stops at passenger requests at other islands. Like a bus service.

I can't remember if that was the year I had a fight with a seal on a beach that tried to get into my tent at 3am.

Ooh you big fat liar Barry.

That Seal was trying to get out of your tent!

 

[runnach]

By the way Barry, did you receive the Seal of Approval, after the event?

 

[winks]

Was Lucille?

Cheers

H