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Address
VisitShetland, Market Cross, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0LU, UK
Welcome to Shetland
Location
Shetland's Location
Shetland is on longitude 01ºW of Greenwich and straddles latitude 60ºN, 598 miles (962km) north of London and just 400 miles (643km) south of the Arctic Circle. This is as far north as St Petersburg, Russia, or Anchorage, Alaska.
Cape Farewell, the southern tip of Greenland, is 1450 miles (2333km) due west of Shetland, while Bergen is just 225 miles (362km) east. Even cold places like Labrador, the Aleutian Islands and Kamchatka lie far to the south.
With good transport links to Shetland by air and sea, getting here is easy.
Geology
Geologically, the Shetland Islands are the drowned summits of a range of low hills, rising from the continental shelf about 100 miles north of Scotland. The 50-mile-wide Fair Isle Channel separates Shetland from the similarly-sized but more low-lying Orkney Islands which lie just off the coast of the Scottish mainland.
Climate
For somewhere so far north, Shetland has a remarkably mild climate. In winter, it's the warmest place on earth - at this latitude. Around Shetland the warm Atlantic currents flowing along the edge of the shelf meet colder water from the Norwegian Sea to the north. These mix with water from the North Sea to give Shetland its temperate maritime climate.
VisitShetland Survey
Have You:
- Previously visited Shetland?
- Not made plans to visit Shetland but would like to in the future?
- Tried to visit Shetland in the past but couldn't get travel or accommodation to suit your needs?
Complete our Online Survey to let us know about your experience
Feature
2009 Photo Competition
VisitShetland is pleased to announce the launch of their 5th annual photocompetition. This year's theme is 'Shetland's Wild Side'.
Advertising Feature
2009 Wildlife Holidays In Shetland
Shetland offers the best wildlife-watching in Scotland - FACT.
Over a million breeding seabirds, the highest density of Otters in Europe, regular sightings of Killer Whales and superb displays of rare sub-arctic flora. Our award-winning holidays offer everything from fully guided wildlife weeks and long weekends, dedicated birdwatching holidays plus photographic, walking and insight holidays.
Visit our extensive website www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk or call Shetland Wildlife on 01950 422483 for a choice of over 30 holidays!
Feature
Blue Sky Holidays
Don't miss the opportunity to join an art holiday experience with Blue Sky Studios this summer! There will be different locations for inspiration and the chance to use charcoal, inks, pencil and watercolour.Feature
Upcoming Event: Shetland Nature Festival
Shetland's 2nd Nature Festival is set to start this Friday until 12th July. Don't miss this opportunity to join a variety of specialised wildlife tours with local rangers, photography sessions and expert talks.
Feature
Geopark Shetland Celebrates Shetland Nature Festival
Building on the success of the launch of the Volcano Trail and Geopark Shetland website, Geopark Shetland is holding a number of exciting events to celebrate this years’ Shetland Nature Festival.
Feature
Shetland Museum and Archives seeks information on Emigrants for Hamefarin Exhibition
In 2010, Shetland will host a Hamefarin (homecoming), welcoming Shetlanders from all around the world back to their home islands. As part of the celebrations Shetland Museum and Archives is developing a special exhibition and are appealing for images and objects relating to Shetland emigrants. (Above photo: Laurence and Ester Ward on Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, August 1954)
Feature
Shetland in the Viking World: Exciting conference in Shetland this summer
Shetland Amenity Trust is to hold an exciting Viking conference, which will explore Shetland’s place in the Viking world, from the 16th - 19th July 2009.