VisitShetland
Skip navigation | Skip to site searchNewsletter
Contact Us
text Chat
with our Customer Service team for site assistance.
Phone
+44 (0)8701 999 440
Online Form
Please use this form to send us a message.
Address
VisitShetland, Market Cross, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0LU, UK
Welcome to Shetland
Cultural Events
There are several events which have well and truly become part of Shetland culture:
Up Helly Aa
On the last Tuesday every January Lerwick is host to the UK's largest fire-festival, "Up Helly Aa". Around 900 colourfully dressed "guizers" follow the Jarl's squad of Vikings and their long-ship through the darkened streets of Lerwick, all carrying burning torches. The ceremony ends spectacularly as the hundreds of flaming torches are thrown into the ship.
Musical Events
Three major festivals celebrating Shetland's musical culture stand out for special mention.
The annual Shetland Folk Festival, held in spring, sees the islands taken over by some of the best folk music the world has to offer. The event is so prestigious that the Rough Guide to Scotland 20006 placed the festival in the top 10 Visitor Attractions in Scotland.
Held over a hectic four-day period in mid-October, the Accordion & Fiddle Festival sees musicians from all over the world perform using Shetland's two most popular instruments - the accordion and the fiddle.
A must for all fans of traditional music is the Shetland Fiddle Frenzy - a fiddle school with a difference in that it's more of a fiddle and cultural festival than singularly a fiddle school.
Sailing Races
Shetland continues to have a close affinity with the sea and is on the map for two ocean racing events - the annual Shetland Races, and the Round Britain and Ireland Race which is held every four years.
What Next?
On This Site
- Visit Shetland in January for Up-Helly-Aa
- Join the international crowd at the Shetland Folk Festival
- Perform on stage with contemporary Shetland fiddlers such as Chris Stout and Maurice Henderson at Shetland Fiddle Frenzy
From Other Sites
- Enrole for Fiddle Frenzy
- Find out about the next Shetland Folk Festival and when tickets go on sale
- Visit during the Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival brings together artists from around the accordian and fiddle circuit
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
2008 Photo Competition
VisitShetland are pleased to announce their fourth annual photographic competition, open to local and visiting amateur photographers. The competition seeks entries which capture the imagination and the role that the Shetland landscape plays in our cultural identity.
Feature
Shetland Food Directory
From lamb to seafood, Shetland's produce is considered a benchmark for quality. A new website, The Shetland Food Directory, lists sources of fine Shetland food and drink and some of the wonderful places to eat out in Shetland.
Feature
Buy Shetland Knitwear
.jpg)
Choose from our wide range of Shetland knitwear including Fair Isle tank tops, cushion covers and bags. Also a range of rugs made with 100% pure Shetland wool.
Feature
Swan Trips 2008
Enjoy a trip on the Swan this summer and experience the world of a resilient vessel restored to glory. Join a crew who love the sea, and be part of a learning experience!
News
Treasure Returns to Shetland
Shetland Museum and Archives welcomes St Ninian’s Isle Treasure for three month loan...
News
Loganair Revive Norway Connection
Scottish airline Loganair is filling the gap left by Faroese shipping company Smyril Line when it severed Shetland's link with its Norwegian neighbours last year.