Rare brazilgirl Posted August 17, 2016 #1 Share Posted August 17, 2016 I recently came back from our second visit to the lovely Shetland Islands. On our first visit in 2013, we took a private tour which gave us an excellent introduction to the islands and some historical and cultural background. We visited a croft house, feed ponies, saw the Eshaness Cliffs and visited a wildlife sanctuary. We visited again last month and decided to do a self drive tour since we had already done a guided tour. My husband had never driven on the "opposite" side of the road and we though the Shetlands would be a good place for a beginner since there is less traffic. We were right! After some initial trepidation, he passed with flying colors. We rented a small car for our family of five from Bolt Car Hire. They delivered the car at the pier ( they were waiting with a sign when we disembarked). I had requested a GPS... And they did not have one. She said we would not need one. I was a bit wary, but she was right. Our first stop was Clickimin Broch, which is in the city limits of Lerwick. We were the only people there and it was full of wildflowers. Very well preserved and a great stop. You can get a nice visit in about 20 minutes. Entrance is free and there are signs with historical info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 17, 2016 Author #2 Share Posted August 17, 2016 After the Broch, we headed for Old Scatness Broch and Iron Age Village. It is fascinating because you must drive over the airport runway to get there.... It is like train tracks with a security gate that goes up and down and you can see airplanes land and take off quite close! And right across the road is a nice beach with a beautiful view. Old Scatness has a little museum and some interactive learning experiences. It is free but they request a donation which we gladly gave. We dressed as an Iron Age family, made iron age coins and explored the village and broch. Wonderful! My little viking Making the coins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 18, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted August 18, 2016 After visiting this historic locale, we headed to Sumburgh Head, a 100m rocky point topped by a lighthouse. It offered spectacular cliff views and charming puffins. There is a delicious café offering stunning views and a historical overview of the lighthouse. Puffins Cliff views The lighthouse More cliffs Abudant wildflowers Closer shot of the lighthouse A very beautiful place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 18, 2016 Author #4 Share Posted August 18, 2016 We then continued on our journey... We decided to wing it a bit and stop by the road when we saw something nice. A beach scene An abandoned boat Jarlshof The ever present sheep My husband really got the hang of driving and we were almost alone in the countryside, with Shetland's evocative landscapes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 18, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted August 18, 2016 We then decided to go to St.Ninian's Isle, which is a small tied island connected by the largest active tombolo in the UK to the south-western coast of the Mainland, Shetland. There was only one other family there. It was windy and a bit cold but very nice. We live in Brazil, so not the balmy kind of beach... But we enjoyed ourselves. A nice stop and we saw a small village with horses and children playing in their yards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 18, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Finally, we headed back to Lerwick after this relaxing and interesting day. Driving on the islands is very easy and economical. We have a lot more to do and see if we are privileged enough to have another opportunity for a visit. Lerwick, of course, is the capital. An excellent example of Victorian architecture, it offers quaint shops and restaurants and is very easy to stroll about on your own. View from the harbor Stone facades Some of the island Lerwick Alleyways I would be happy to answer questions if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PNW Traveler Posted August 18, 2016 #7 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Thanks for posting an informative review of the area. I very much enjoyed your photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 18, 2016 Author #8 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Thanks for posting an informative review of the area. I very much enjoyed your photos. Thank you! Hope it encourages people to explore the area on their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare puppycanducruise Posted August 18, 2016 #9 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Thank you for posting your pictures. It brought back wonderful memories of our visit to Shetland last year. We visited many of the places you did (although we had a private tour arranged through another Cruise Critic member). Loved the lighthouse and the puffins! Maybe next time, we'll rent a car. Thanks for the inspiration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanexile81 Posted August 18, 2016 #10 Share Posted August 18, 2016 We rented a car last time we were in Shetland and followed a very similar route to you, except we went further west after the lighthouse into an even more remote area. Great to see your photos, so thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgans Posted August 19, 2016 #11 Share Posted August 19, 2016 Enjoyed your photos very much - a very easy place to drive and very beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 19, 2016 Author #12 Share Posted August 19, 2016 (edited) We rented a car last time we were in Shetland and followed a very similar route to you, except we went further west after the lighthouse into an even more remote area. Great to see your photos, so thanks for posting. As I mentioned, last visit we went north with a private tour and this time south. We need to return and go west then! What was additional things did you see there? I love the Shetlands! Thank you Morgan and Puppy...I appreciate it! Edited August 19, 2016 by brazilgirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insanemagnet Posted August 19, 2016 #13 Share Posted August 19, 2016 Reminds me of the time I visited Shetland a few years ago. I was flying in and had contacted one of the local car hire companies to arrange a car from the airport for a week. No problem they said, it will be in the airport carpark, unlocked with the keys under the mat. Just pop in to our office sometime during the week to do the paperwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasmie Posted August 19, 2016 #14 Share Posted August 19, 2016 Thank you for posting this. I've enjoyed looking at your photos and hearing about your experience. I'm a Shetland girl born and raised and love our islands. I'm glad you enjoyed your time here. Lots more to see and do so do come back and visit! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 19, 2016 Author #15 Share Posted August 19, 2016 (edited) Reminds me of the time I visited Shetland a few years ago. I was flying in and had contacted one of the local car hire companies to arrange a car from the airport for a week. No problem they said, it will be in the airport carpark, unlocked with the keys under the mat. Just pop in to our office sometime during the week to do the paperwork. They told us to just leave the keys in the car and leave it in the parking lot on return. So simple. And nice. Rasmie, your islands are wonderful... I even looked at the website about moving there , lol. True story Edited August 19, 2016 by brazilgirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phxbne Posted August 19, 2016 #16 Share Posted August 19, 2016 Thanks for sharing your adventure - I would love to return to Shetland too! But if we drove ourselves we would missing hearing the wonderful stories from a local..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 19, 2016 Author #17 Share Posted August 19, 2016 (edited) Thanks for sharing your adventure - I would love to return to Shetland too! But if we drove ourselves we would missing hearing the wonderful stories from a local..... Michele....since we had a private guide the first time, we were able to enjoy many wonderful stories about life on the Shetlands. I always like having a guide on a first visit exactly for that reason. It is such a pleasure to have first hand accounts from a resident of the country. But the second time offers a nice opportunity to explore in a different way! That is way it is always fun to go back to nice places! A third time would be a charm! Edited August 19, 2016 by brazilgirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kccrzr Posted August 20, 2016 #18 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Fantastic photos - thank you for taking the time to post. We will be on a TA next year which stops in Lerwick and are planning on renting a car. Do you recall how far in advance you booked with Bolts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted August 20, 2016 Author #19 Share Posted August 20, 2016 Fantastic photos - thank you for taking the time to post. We will be on a TA next year which stops in Lerwick and are planning on renting a car. Do you recall how far in advance you booked with Bolts? I contacted them in January and we sailed in July. I have a tendency to be a "suoerplanner" and do things way ahead of time. There did not seem to be a great demand for rental cars from fellow cruise passengers. They were very responsive and punctual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kccrzr Posted August 27, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I contacted them in January and we sailed in July. I have a tendency to be a "suoerplanner" and do things way ahead of time. There did not seem to be a great demand for rental cars from fellow cruise passengers. They were very responsive and punctual. Thank you for the excellent information. I am a super planner too - our cruise is not until the end of next August! Guess I don't have to worry about booking a car just yet. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdasher Posted September 17, 2016 #21 Share Posted September 17, 2016 You would have driven past my house ( on the way down to Sumburgh)...Anyhow, car hire, Grantfield Garage ( with whom I have no connection) are very good. They are a short walk from where the Ships dock, and are so accommodating. So pleased you saw the puffins and St Ninians Isle. BTW, don't overlook the visitors centre in Hoswick, they do a proper pot of tea and a fine piece ( cake) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb0702 Posted September 18, 2016 #22 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Thank you for posting your beautiful pictures of Shetland. I got very teary going through them. We were there in August and something happened to me that I don't understand. I really didn't want to leave. Like you, we rented a car and went to Sumburgh head to look for puffin. Unfortunately there was not a puffin in sight (I thought I saw one far off, but then decided it probably wasn't). But we did see something very unexpected.. Orcas! A group of 5 with a young one. I was so delighted that all disappointment about the puffins was instantly erased. How I love surprises! I am ready to go back to Shetland. I know I will someday. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted September 21, 2016 Author #23 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Bigdasher... We had some absolutely lovely cakes at the Sumburgh Lighthouse Café. Really yummy! Deb0702, I know how you feel. Even though we have visited the Shetlands twice, I would happily visit again. I often tell my husband we should move there and I am not really joking. You are so lucky to have seen Orcas!! We saw many puffin on Heimaey in Iceland. Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted September 21, 2016 Author #24 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Here a few photos from our first visit Eshaness Cliffs Landscape Shetland Ponies Croft House Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andi2008 Posted April 23, 2017 #25 Share Posted April 23, 2017 Thank you so much for posting your photos and telling us a bit about your independent day on Shetland. I am so excited that our cruise is stopping there in July...and your post gives me the encouragement I need to rent a car so that my hubby and I can toodle around on our own while we are in port. Thank you again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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