Loading search...
Chris Griffin and Mark Wood were exceptional tour leaders. Their knowledge encyclopaedic but just as important were their social skills with people within and outside the group and organising the tour. Although different, their personalities were ideally suited to the role. Nothing was too much trouble They worked so hard arranging the itinerary to fit in with the weather and ferry schedules. Lovely comfortable hotel in beautiful location. The food, drink and especially the service were outstanding.
C.B, Hampshire, Jun25
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Shetland in Style
Tour Code: GBR315A 9-day single-centred holiday based at the wonderfully located Busta House Hotel, where we'll search for the archipelago's famed wildlife, whilst enjoying the islands' spectacular landscapes.
9 days
from
£2,595 (Inc ferry)
£2,595 (Inc ferry)
Land only price
from
£2,395
£2,395
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
In mid to late June, the beautiful Shetland Islands are blessed with nearly 19-hours of daylight, add to this the stunning landscapes and an incredible abundance of birds, mammals and rare plants. Its sheer remoteness, hillsides cloaked in heather, and the air penetrated by the calls of myriad waders which breed here, only adds to its attraction. Throughout this gentle-paced, 9-day holiday, we will be based solely at the wonderfully located Busta House Hotel in West Mainland, renowned for its stunning views. We will also be after the archipelago's best wildlife, ranging from the diminutive European Storm Petrel on the uninhabited island of Mousa, breeding Puffins, passing cetaceans, Otters, and rare flora, including Edmonston's Chickweed, Moonwort and Lesser Twayblade. Our time will also be spent enjoying the many historic sites which are littered throughout, as we cover Mainland, Unst and Fetlar, on this wonderful holiday to the UK's most northerly archipelago.
- Stay at Busta House Hotel in remote West Mainland
- Thriving seabird colonies on Mainland
- Rare and endemic flora
- Visit Mousa and its broch for the European Storm Petrel
- Otters & cetaceans
- Spectacular landscapes
Grading
A/B - A gentle-paced holiday, but some walks will be on uneven terrain. One late night when visiting Mousa Island.
What's Included?
- Ferries
- Accommodation:
This tour is based at the lovely Busta House Hotel in West Mainland. The first and last night of the tour are on the overnight ferry.
- Food:
All meals are included when on Shetland, from lunch on day 2 to lunch on day 8.
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 10th Jul – Sat 18th Jul
2
£2,595
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Mark Wood
Tour Leader: Mark Wood
After spending much of his early childhood exploring the woods and fields around his house in Fife, Scotland, Mark quickly developed a curiosity for the natural world around him. With the closest nature reserve being RSPB Loch Leven it did not take long for a keen interest in birds to follow. Going on to study Conservation Biology at Aberdeen University Mark’s passion for wildlife in its many facets and a desire to protect it would only continue to grow.
Much of his working life has been spent as an Ecologist in Scotland but the desire to travel and find exotic bird species is a constant draw. This has led to many long overseas adventures including Australia and New Zealand, where he was able to work on the Kakapo project and see this endangered parrot. Driving from Scotland to Mongolia and back in 2019, exploring much of central Asia and Russia along the way, a lifelong dream! As well as many other fantastic, nature rich locations across North and South America, Africa, Europe and East Asia.
Mark started leading tours to Shetland for Naturetrek in 2022.
2027
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 9th Jul – Sat 17th Jul
SPACES
£2,595
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Tour Reports
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
Video
