In this 6-day tour to Shetland from Edinburgh, you will experience the Up Helly Aa, the largest Viking Festival in the world, which started in the 1840's. Witness the 46 squads of guizers, led by Guizer Jarl, as they process through the streets of Lerwick with a Viking galley that is purpose built every year and burnt in the climax of the celebrations!In the days before and after Up Helly Aa, explore Shetland it all its magnanimous raw beauty. From deserted sand beaches with seals basking in the sun, to some of the most important Viking and neolithic settlements in the world. Witness breathtaking seacliffs battered by the full force of the sea, and stand on the shore of the North Sea looking at the Atlantic Ocean on the opposite side.Shetland is a unique place in the world, and visiting it is the experience of a lifetime for history and nature lovers!
Day 1 - Travelling to Shetland
We will make our way to Aberdeen, where we will catch the overnight ferry to Shetland. En route, we will explore the Fife Peninsula, with its quaint fishing villages and St Andrews - the birthplace of golf. You will have time to walk the old course, wander through the town, visit the castle or explore the ruins of the Cathedral.
We will also stop over at Dunnottar Castle, which bears the slogan 'Once see never forgotten'. Perched atop a 160 foot rock and surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, these dramatic and evocative cliff-top ruins were once an impregnable fortress of the Earls Marischal, once one of the most powerful families in Scotland.
Day 2 - South of the Shetland Mainland
We will arrive in Shetland in the morning, and will spend the rest of the day exploring the south of the island: from an old crofting village, to Viking and Neolithic settlements. Not to mention sand tombolos and hopefully plenty of seals!
Day 3 - Up Helly Aa Viking Fire Festival
This is the Up Helly Aa festival day, and the festivities will start early on in the day! You can use this day to explore Lerwick Town centre and attend the festivities, which finish with the main procession starting at 19.30.
Day 4 - North Isles: Yell and Unst
Today we will explore two of the isles north of Shetland Mainland. We will see deserted beaches, stunning raw scenery, a castle, an abandoned WWII radar station, and The Skidbladner - a reconstuction of a Viking longboat.
Day 5 - Northmavine and Ferry Back to the Scottish Mainland
We will visit the most impressive seacliffs in Shetland, see Shetland Ponies in Scalloway, Mavis Grind and the famous Meal Beach, before getting the overnight ferry back to Aberdeen.
Day 6 - Perthshire, Stirling & Kelpies
We will make our way back to your accommodation. En route, we will stop to feed our famous Highland Cows! We will then visit Stirling Castle - the former royal castle before the unification of the Scottish and English crowns, and considered by many as 'the best castle in Scotland'.
We will then drop you off at your accommodation and wave goodbye!
