Shetland Islands - Between Christmas and New Year

[Rittmeister]

I am looking for a small 4 day adventure in that awfully named 'Twixmas' period. I noticed that there are some quite reasonable Sail&Rail tickets to the Northern Islands from any Scottish station. Last year I went to the Isle of Man over this period and it was one of my favourite tours of 2012.

Is Shetland over this period possible or even advisable?

[gloomyandy]

It is a long way to go for just a few days, but then the journey is part of the adventure. I assume it will be an overnight sailing (was when we went a couple of summers ago). It is a fantastic part of the world and you may be able to make use of the bods for cheap accommodation. Days will be short though! Oh and you might want to take a look at this which was filmed on the ferry...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEEoWqccAyg

Have fun

Andy

[Rittmeister]

Yes. The sailing is overnight, so could train from Manchester, spend some time in Aberdeen, catch the ferry at 1900 and arrive in the morning.

The rough seas are a slight concern though. I have been on some rough crossings before, but this could be different league!

[gloomyandy]

I guess it is just pot luck in terms of weather. When we went our outbound crossing was pretty rough with a few people being ill. We didn't have a cabin or anything on the way out and didn't get much sleep. On the way back we had a much smoother crossing and a cabin and had one of the best night sleeps ever!

Not sure how far you would want to travel when you get there but I would certainly recommend the western part of Shetland (Burra and that sort of area) along with a trip out to Muckle Flugga (to see the light house), as being a nice contrast with the busier parts.

[Merry_Wanderer]

It is a long way to go for just a few days, but then the journey is part of the adventure. I assume it will be an overnight sailing (was when we went a couple of summers ago). It is a fantastic part of the world and you may be able to make use of the bods for cheap accommodation. Days will be short though! Oh and you might want to take a look at this which was filmed on the ferry...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEEoWqccAyg

Have fun

Andy

Andy - I've seen exactly the same video with the title 'Cruise Ship in Pacific'. I'd be very surprised if the Shetland Ferry had a piano onboard....

[molly]

I live and cycle throughout the year in Shetland so it is possible but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone as a mid-winter destination. I commute to work by bike and experience some seriously extreme weather throughout the winter months. Winds are frequently well in excess of 30kts and snowy particularly icy conditions are often a problem so I resort to studded tyres. As mentioned days are short, infact I ride with lights all the time as it doesn't get properly light until between 9&10am then is getting dark by 3pm. Yes we do occasionally have bright days that show off the beauty of Shetland in winter but my experience over the past few years is that these are extremely rare at that time of the year. However this may be just the type of adventure you are looking for!

[Mattie]

I did this a few years ago - not on a bike but rented a car.

It struck me as how much colder it was than down in the south where I come from. My synthetic woollen jumpers were almost useless. The days were much shorter and you would end up returning from a day's exploring in the pitch dark.

Coming back in the dark I was glad of a GPS because I did not see so many road signs out in the sticks, also with no real visual clues as the scenery was similar all around, and with the sun gone, it was very difficult to see where you were and to work out your way home.

The crossing over was rough, but I had a cabin. I also took sea sick tablets but it was not an issue I slept okay. I was embarrassed suddenly when I asked for an English Breakfast in the cafe in the morning ! but it was okay.

I still have these thick woolen jumpers that I bought there, but they are too warm to wear indoors down here in the Channel Islands !

It was a good trip, thoroughly enjoyed it.

[gloomyandy]

Andy - I've seen exactly the same video with the title 'Cruise Ship in Pacific'. I'd be very surprised if the Shetland Ferry had a piano onboard....

I'm sure you are correct. Thinking about it I seem to remember that the tables and chairs on the Shetland ferry had chains to hold them in place, or perhaps that was to stop a boisterous Saturday night crossing getting out of control!

[Rittmeister]

Thanks for the advice.

If the first video is not actually on the Northlink, then some of the suggested video alternatives of the ship leaving port are!

I will see nearer the time what the weather is like and am always up for a UK tour somewhere different.

[John Holiday]

I enjoyed a visit to Orkney & Shetland (a week on each) during May of this year. I travelled as a foot passenger from Aberdeen for a reasonable £26.00. I used my usual heavy Thorn 'Raven' Tourer,staying in the excellent Hostels,but on reflection might have been better with my Brompton.
For some reason,you are not allowed on the buses with cycles,even though they will take wheel-chairs & prams & are frquently fairly empty.I did manage to get on one of the smaller buses which had a boot.
A bus assisted ride would be a good way of seeing more of the Islands.
I wrote to to the Tourist Board pointing out that they were missing an opportunity to expand tourism.They agreed, but said Bus Company were not interested.The Bus Company didn't even reply to my letter!

[Rittmeister]

I did not book to go to Shetland in the end.

I booked to go to Norwich and East Anglia instead.

Looking at the weather, it might have been the right call!