Six Hours on Sunny Shetland

Shetland

Some will suggest you can’t get a real feel for a place unless you have an undisclosed time to explore, engage and immerse.

I beg to differ.

Of course time permits further travel around your destination, to get off the beaten track or go where the locals go; you can see more, do more, eat more (I especially enjoy the latter!).

But what if you just don’t have the time?

Setting foot on Shetland for the first time, I checked the clock and realised I had almost six hours exactly to see what the island had to offer. Should I exceed this time, I’d have no trouble seeing more of the island – I’d be stranded! You see, I was on a cruise around the Viking Isles with the National Trust for Scotland, which gave me a wee daily sample of islands in Scotland and the Faroe Islands; you can read about my experience here

What to do, what to do?

I had deliberately chosen not to do an organised excursion that day; I wanted to avoid the cruise-crowds and indulge in a wee solo adventure. I thought I’d give the local transport a bash, hoping that it wouldn’t be as expensive and unreliable as in other remote parts of Scotland.

With only six hours to play with, there was no beating about the bush for this lassie – I went straight to the tourist information centre near the harbour in Lerwick to ask for the low down on local buses. A young gentleman served me, and I appreciated his accent as much as I did his advice. Less than five minutes later I was perched in the bus-stop across the road waiting on a bus to Sumburgh, the very southern tip of the Mainland island.

How did my short-but-sweet day go?

I hopped aboard my bang-on-time bus to be greeted by a smiling driver with grey hair, showing genuine interest in where I’d come from and how I was enjoying my visit so far. This was a wonderful novelty in itself – in Edinburgh, you’re lucky if the stereotypically grumpy drivers even STOP for you, never mind talk to you!

The 45 minute bus journey, bound for Sumburgh Airport, went by in scenic slideshow of bright blue skies, curving coastline and crayon coloured houses.

Taken through the surprisingly clean bus window

As instructed, I jumped off when I saw the sign for the Sumburgh Hotel. Clutching my map in true tourist style, I followed the trail to Sumburgh Head, a classic cliff-top lighthouse/visitor centre which welcomes over 25,000 visitors per year.

I walked through through field and farm…

Shetland

… then began my ascent towards the lighthouse.

Shetland

Even with little elevation, the views were amazing…

Shetland

… and the lighthouse up ahead was the candle on the cake.

Shetland

I soon discovered that wasn’t the only lighthouse…

… and it looks even better from above.

Shetland

Reaching the tippy top of the hill, I was warm from both the sun and the exertion. I perched myself outside the lighthouse on the grass, absorbing the views and counting the planes as the appeared over the sea and began their descent to the pint-sized airport.

Shetland

I had been told by a lighthouse assistant that I’d visited the popular puffin watching site during the time the adorable wee birdies head out to sea for a snack. I was determined to see one on my walk back down however, and I did! I saw ONE.

Shetland

Can you appreciate the cuteness through my terrible image quality?

I walked the windy trail back down to sea level, where I met the cutest wee calves on my way to the bus stop.

Shetland

The bus stop was conveniently located right next to a beautiful Caribbean-esk beach, and I happened to have 20 minutes spare before my bus back to Lerwick…

Shetland

You know how it goes

My stomach growled on the journey back across the sunlit countryside, and there was only one thing which was going to satisfy my hunger…

FISH ‘N’ CHIPS.

Harbour Fish & Chip Shop, Lerwick

It was honestly the best fish ‘n’ chips I’ve ever tasted, and that was even without Edinburgh’s finest chippy sauce!

I browsed Lerwick’s charity shops and wandered the nautical streets and mini-harbours…

Shetland

Shetland

… before slowly sauntering back to the ship, content and comforted by the fact I would definitely return to Shetland in the future.

Six Hours in Shetland = SUCCESS. 

Did I experience all that Shetland had to offer? Of course not, time wasn’t exactly on my side. But did I experience Shetland? Yes, I believe I did.  

I inhaled the salty sea air, admired the scenic splendours, strolled in the sunshine, felt the powdery sand on my bare feet, chatted to the locals, saw ONE puffin and ate fish ‘n’ chips at the harbour.

I don’t think there’s a minimum time requirement for falling in love with a place; it usually happens pretty quickly. Having limited time somewhere may only get your toes wet, but it definitely serves a purpose. It’s an incentive to return and really do it justice.

I plan to do exactly that.

Shetland

How quickly can you fall in love with a destination?

 

15 Comments

  • MoniqueB. says:

    VERY quickly. I’ve been only once, but I’m homesick. And other visitors I’ve spoken too, have the same experience!
    I’ve been for a week, and will be going this fall for one week again.

    Lóve the pictures you’ve made, the sky is SOOO blue, and the water too.

    • Kay says:

      Hi Monique!

      Yes, it was too quick but I’ll definitely go back to really do it justice.

      Thanks for the compliments about my pictures, it’s hard to take a bad picture in places which are that pretty 🙂

  • Andy Glen says:

    So very glad to read your account of the south mainland. I’m pleased you seemed to enjoy your trip. Come back and visit mousa island and st ninnians beach, amongst other secret treasures.

    • Kay says:

      Hi Andy!

      Thanks for reading. I had a lovely time – fell in love with the place very quickly. Definitely need to see more next time however, and I’ll keep your recommendations in mind! 🙂

  • Mike Marwick says:

    Super page – great photos! Love the photo of our house in it!!

    Hope you have longer when you come back – and that the sun continues to shine.

    Can I post a link to your page on our South Lodberrie website so that folk visiting can be inspired?

    Mike

    • Kay says:

      Hi Mike!

      Thanks very much for your kind words 🙂 I definitely plan to stay much longer next time. This just got my wee toes wet!

      I would love to be featured on your page, thanks for asking!

  • Claire says:

    Hi Kay – As a Shetlander born and bred, I was delighted to read your blog about how much you enjoyed your brief trip here!
    Its lovely to hear of people who visit and fall in love with the place! Makes us very proud of our peerie islands!
    X

    • Kay says:

      Hi Claire,

      Aaaaw, I’m glad you liked it. It’s all the truth! Such a lovely peerie place 🙂 Hopefully I can come visit again soon and can write more about my love for the islands.

  • Stella says:

    I am glad you had a smashing time, Shetland is at it’s best when the sun is out, I have lived here all my life & can’t picture myself moving, have worked in a local shop for 20+ years, I love meeting new people, chatting & exchanging lifestyles.

    • Kay says:

      Hi Stella!

      What a lovely place to grow up. I could see myself retiring to Shetland some day 🙂

      Where about do you work? I’m come in for a chat next time I visit.

  • The Guy says:

    Majestic pictures Kay, it looks as though you caught a fabulous, sunny day.

    I’ve never ventured that far north in Scotland but I hope to one day.

    I can relate to your comments on the friendly Scottish bus driver. A few years ago I was in the south west of Scotland and my friend and I had to catch a local bus to Stranraer (so we could get a bus up the stunning scenic coast to Ayr). As English in town we weren’t expecting a special greeting yet the driver was very friendly and didn’t even charge us for the ride! It made a very nice impression for us.

    As for taking a guided tour or doing your own thing, there are always pro’s and con’s. With a tour guide you get an informative explanation of everything. Doing your own thing you get to do exactly what you want to do at your own pace. I think you made a great choice.

    • Kay says:

      Thanking you. I was really lucky, it was a crackin’ day 🙂

      You should definitely venture further north and check out some of the islands, lovely lovely stuff.

      Sounds like you had a wicked experience with the bus driver! Such a pleasant change from the grumpy city drivers…

      I used to work as a tour guide in the Highlands and in some other countries so I totally value the information and local touch you get from a guide. I also like to do my own thing. I usually do a mixture of tours and independence stuff when I’m travelling. Variety is the spice of life and all that 🙂

  • Charlotte Robertson says:

    I love your blog on Shetland. You were so lucky to see a puffin, too! Next time, try the westside, where it is wilder and very lovely.

    • Kay says:

      Thanks very much Charlotte 🙂 Are you from Shetland?

      I’ll bear that recommendation in mind. I plan to spend at least a few days there next time.

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