9 days from £1,195
(Inc ferry)
Land only price from £
This new 2-centre tour, based in Scalloway on the southern tip of ‘Mainland’, and on the island of Unst, is carefully timed to make the most of Shetland’s wealth of nesting waders and seabirds. From Scalloway we’ll explore cliffs, sea lochs and smaller uninhabited islands for breeding species such as Golden Plover and Razorbill before transferring to the island of Unst, the most northerly inhabited island in Great Britain. Shetland is a magical place, and whilst our focus will be on Otters, seals and host of bird species, the experience of simply being in this remote, northerly outreach of the British Isles, among its rugged landscapes and huge skies, is hard to beat!
- Sea-watching for cetaceans & seabirds on the ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick
- Breeding Eider, Storm Petrel, Great & Arctic Skuas, Arctic Tern & Puffin
- Rock Dove, Twite & Raven
- Mammals including Grey & Common Seals & Otter
- Red-throated Shetland Mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium nigrescens)
- Ancient settlements of Jarlshof & the Great Broch of Mousa
- Breeding specialities as Whimbrel on Fetlar
- Led by an expert naturalist guide
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Highlights
Dave Shute
Dave was born in Meriden, Warwickshire but has lived most of his life in West London where he worked for the EMI music company in their Artist Royalties division before re-locating to Hampshire. An interest in birds began at an early age when he saw, the then, very rare Red Kite on a family holiday in Wales. The bird interest grew and has subsequently broadened to encompass all forms of wildlife and has been the prime motivator for extensive travel both in the UK and overseas to such places as Europe, Chile, New Zealand and Namibia but with a particular fascination for the Polar regions, North America and India. The first of these compliments his interest in early polar exploration which has included trips to see Amundsen's ship "Fram" in Oslo and Shackleton's open boat the "James Caird" as well as a landing on Shackleton's infamous Elephant Island. His ambition is to visit the Antarctic base huts of Shackleton and Scott! Nearer to home, Dave's interest in photography has seen him travel around the UK photographing plants and insects and he is a very active member of various conservation bodies for plants and butterflies helping to preserve their remaining precious habitats.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight ferry Aberdeen to Lerwick
Day 2/4
Mainland Shetland
Day 5
Transfer Mainland to Unst
Day 6/7
Unst and Fetlar
Day 8/9
Transfer to Lerwick and overnight ferry to Aberdeen
We had an excellent tour leader who went out of his way to ensure everyone was able to see everything that we hoped for. He went beyond the call of duty, going out in all weathers, some very cold and windy, to try to spot otters with us, and we succeeded. I was able to see otters swimming, eating, playing, and then exploring on the beach. A magical experience. Loved it all.
M.H. Surrey, June 18
Food & Accommodation
Please refer to the tour itinerary for details.
Please refer to the tour itinerary for details.
Tour leaders
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Jonathan Willet Tour leader -
Andy Bunten Tour leader
Jonathan Willet
However, my first job, in 1995, was as a Wildlife Guide at a Highland Field Centre. The two seasons I spent there where just amazing and I learnt so much that it was the pivotal time in my life as a naturalist, plus I fell in love with the Highlands. The wonders of the Scotland's wildlife were revealed to me and I haven't looked back. I should really mention my passion for Dragonflies started then. From watching these beautiful insects and not knowing anything about them, now 19 years later I have learnt a wee bit more and now encourage others to watch and learn more about them. I started off as a birder but then aspired to be an old fashioned naturalist, trying to identify and find out about everything that I see or find. Obviously I am still working at it! I particularly enjoy weaving history, local culture and geology into my guiding to tell the full story of all the amazing wildlife and landscapes we see in the Highlands. I enjoy travelling, with Africa being my favourite continent; I have been fortunate to have spent two, four month periods working in Botswana and later on in Namibia. There is nothing quite like the African sunrise. Over the years I have visited Finland, Germany, Spain, France, Iceland and Latvia and have gained a wider perspective on The Highlands' ecosystems in a European context.
Andy Bunten
Andy Bunten has been an obsessive enthusiast about wildlife ever since he can remember. Educated at Cambridge, Newcastle and Imperial College, he then embarked on a career in nature conservation. He has worked for local government, wildlife trusts and, for 26 years, the RSPB. He initially worked in RSPB Scotland then headed south to be the Regional Director for the South East of England for 5 years before, in 1991, moving to the North of England to take up the reins of Director there. An experienced lecturer, Andy has cruised extensively completing over 20 trips ranging from South America to the Philippines and from Argentina to Svalbard. Now an Environmental Consultant, Andy is an enthusiastic traveller and has led wildlife groups to numerous places around the world including the Seychelles, France, Egypt, Costa Rica, Panama, Borneo, Norway and Spitsbergen. Over the last few years, he has led Naturetrek holidays in France, Romania, Hungary, Sweden, Spain and Scotland. He loves leading trips!
Dave Shute
Dave was born in Meriden, Warwickshire but has lived most of his life in West London where he worked for the EMI music company in their Artist Royalties division before re-locating to Hampshire. An interest in birds began at an early age when he saw, the then, very rare Red Kite on a family holiday in Wales. The bird interest grew and has subsequently broadened to encompass all forms of wildlife and has been the prime motivator for extensive travel both in the UK and overseas to such places as Europe, Chile, New Zealand and Namibia but with a particular fascination for the Polar regions, North America and India. The first of these compliments his interest in early polar exploration which has included trips to see Amundsen's ship "Fram" in Oslo and Shackleton's open boat the "James Caird" as well as a landing on Shackleton's infamous Elephant Island. His ambition is to visit the Antarctic base huts of Shackleton and Scott! Nearer to home, Dave's interest in photography has seen him travel around the UK photographing plants and insects and he is a very active member of various conservation bodies for plants and butterflies helping to preserve their remaining precious habitats.
