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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
VisitShetland Survey
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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.
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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)
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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.