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VisitShetland, Market Cross, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0LU, UK
Not if you are a UK citizen.
British pounds sterling.
Weather in Shetland can be changeable. Conditions can alter quickly so if you are out walking it is as well to carry warm and waterproof clothing.
For detailed information on Shetland's weather click here.
Shops open Monday to Saturday 0900 to 1700. Some close on Wednesdays. Several shops stay open later for special occasions and cruise ship visits.
No - but adhere to the Shetland Country Code of Conduct.
From mid April to mid August.
Ponies can be seen grazing by the road at many locations in Shetland such as Gulberwick (just south of Lerwick), Tingwall (just north of Lerwick), the South Mainland, West Mainland and the island of Unst.
For further information on Shetland Ponies click here.
Visit one of the award winning Simmer n' Sessions, summer exhibition or one of the annual music festivals.
Look out for traditional food on menus and special theme nights such as 'Shetland Nights' at various hotels
For further information on traditional food and places to eat click here.
The best time to see the 'Northern Lights' or Aurora Borealis is late autumn and winter.
View photos of northern lights in Shetland by photographer Hugh Harrop.
Yes, but your dog is not allowed on the National Nature Reserves and certain beaches. All other areas are at the landowner's discretion.
Only at the discretion of the driver.
No, midges are rare in Shetland.
You must be 17 to drive on a public highway in Britain. If you do not have a British Driving License, a current International Driving Permit may be used.
In Britain - and in Shetland - driving is on the left hand side of the road. Shetland has many single track roads, so the 'passing places' in rural areas must be used to allow approaching drivers to pass. Furthermore, it is advisable to pull into one of the many passing places to let other drivers overtake - particularly if you wish to take your time and take in the scenery.
The speed limits are usually:
30 miles per hour in built up areas
60 miles per hour on all other roads
No-where in Shetland does the speed limit exceed 60 mph. There are areas where the speed limit may be 20 mph due to children playing: our children run wild and free with a sense of adventure, so please approach these areas with care. Speed cameras are in operation throughout the island.
In Britain there are severe penalties for people who drink and then drive. The current legal limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. The most suitable advice is if you're going to drive, you simply DO NOT drink.
All drivers must have at least third party insurance.
Holidaymakers are strongly advised to take out adequate medical insurance before travelling to Britain.
If you need the service of the police, ambulance, fire brigade, or coastguard - use any telephone and dial 999. The call will be free.
It is important that you obtain the names and addresses of anyone involved and any witnesses. Never leave the scene of an accident, whether you were involved or not. You must contact the police if any injury or harm has been done to another party. It is advisable to contact the police should you have any doubt over cause or blame for the accident.
You should ensure that any electrical equipment you bring with you, e.g. travelling irons, hairdryers, shavers, etc, can be used on British voltage. The standard voltage is 240V AC, 50Hz.
Voltage converters are available from the Central Visitor Centre in Lerwick.
There are no fixed rules about how much to tip - if you feel you have received good service, you may wish to express your appreciation accordingly. It is usually customary to leave 10% of the bill, if a service charge has not been included.
Shetland has many public telephones. The minimum charge per call is 20p, or 1 unit on a phone card. Phone cards are available throughout the Information Network, or from the Post Office, Commercial Street, Lerwick.
If having difficulty finding a telephone number dial 118888 to speak to directory enquiries, (this will incur a charge).
International calls in Britain are a lot cheaper than in many other countries. There is also the added convenience of direct dialing, i.e. you do not need to use the operator. To make international calls simply add the destination country code before the telephone number. For international directory enquiries, call 118899, there will be a charge for this service.
| Country | Code |
|---|---|
| Australia | 0061 |
| Austria | 0043 |
| Brazil | 0055 |
| CzechRepublic | 00420 |
| Denmark | 0045 |
| Egypt | 0020 |
| Faroe Islands | 00298 |
| Finland | 00358 |
| France | 0033 |
| Germany | 0049 |
| Gibraltar | 00350 |
| Greece | 0030 |
| Greenland | 00290 |
| Hong Kong | 00852 |
| Iceland | 00354 |
| Italy | 0039 |
| Japan | 0081 |
| Mexico | 0052 |
| The Netherlands | 0031 |
| Norway | 0047 |
| Spain | 0034 |
| Sweden | 0046 |
| USA | 001 |
The four major banks Scottish Banks have branches in Shetland, i.e. The Bank of Scotland, The Royal Bank of Scotland, The Clydesdale Bank, and Lloyds TSB. All of these have external 24-hour cash dispensers (auto-tellers).
You can also find cash dispensers at the Toll Clock Shopping Centre and the Sound Service Station.
A cheque can be cashed in any bank provided it is covered by a cheque card or appropriate credit card. However, the banks charge different fees for this service.
All four banks accept all forms of Mastercard cards, Visa cards, Switch cards and most Eurocards.
Credit cards are widely accepted at shops, restaurants, hotels and other outlets. The Central VisitorCentre and Welcome Lounge at Sumburgh accept Credit Card transactions.
All the banks offer a similar service. Any amount of travellers cheques may be cashed and any foreign currency exchanged for sterling. Most banks keep a stock of commonly used currency, however if you require more than they stock they can order more and it can be with you in a few days.
Small amounts of foreign currency and travellers cheques may be exchanged at the Central VisitorCentre, Market Cross, Lerwick. In addition, some shops in Lerwick do accept foreign currency as payment for goods.
Public holidays only vary slightly from year to year. 2006 public holidays are:
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year | Monday January 2nd Tuesday January 3rd |
| Good Friday | Friday April 14th |
| Easter Monday | Monday April 17th |
| May Day Bank Holiday | Monday May 1st |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday May 29th |
| Summer | Monday August 7th |
| Christmas | Monday 25th - 28th |
The Central Visitor Centre and Welcome Lounge at Sumburgh Airport do not close for public holidays, other than Christmas and New Year.

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!
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!
'White Nights', Ann Cleeves' sequel to her award-winning 'Raven Black', has now been published. Don't miss a reading and signing from Ann in the Lerwick tourist office, Market Cross at 11.30am on Saturday 17th May.
A new campus is to be set up in Lerwick for the new interdisciplinary Centre for Nordic Studies.
More Info (pdf)
Organisers of Shetland’s first ever Festival of Nature, to be piloted from 4th to 12th July 2008, are calling on local businesses...
Read full Press Release (pdf)
The Shetland Museum and Archives on short list for The Art Fund Prize for museums and galleries 2008...