Shetland Visit - any tips ?

AndySwinden

AndySwinden

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I have managed to persuade the other half that its a good idea for me to go to the Shetlands for a weeks worth of photography :D

I have booked the ferry & accomodation for the last week in May.

Having never been to the Shetlands before, I was wondering if anyone had any tips / locations / advice for me - I'm mainly interested in wildlife, but would have a go at anything !

Thanks for your help !
 
Not sure about Shetland, but May in Scotland is Midgy time, so take plenty of insect repellant if the wee beasties are out!
 
Never been there and don't know locations, but I have been told that Shetland is superb for photographing otters.
I expect if you google "shetland wildlife" you'll get loads of info.
 
dinners said:
A little early for midgie hell in May although Shetland isn't too bad anyway.
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You can get really close to gannets and puffins at Hermaness (the furthest north part of the northernmost island - Unst) if I remember correctly. Another gannet colony on Noss but not so accessible tothe photographer.

As a whole, the interior of shetland is pretty wild and bleak, although I stand to be corrected on that.

And take plenty of layers. If you're lucky, it'll be above freezing.....;)
 
jerry12953 said:
You can get really close to gannets and puffins at Hermaness (the furthest north part of the northernmost island - Unst) if I remember correctly. Another gannet colony on Noss but not so accessible tothe photographer.

As a whole, the interior of shetland is pretty wild and bleak, although I stand to be corrected on that.

And take plenty of layers. If you're lucky, it'll be above freezing.....;)
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Thats great thanks - I will add that to the list of places to visit !

I hope its a little above freezing by May :lol:
 
Midges in May? Nah, far too cold and windy in may:D Only kidding, May is normally quite a nice month:)

As mentioned previously, Hermaness and Noss are both fantastic for Gannets, Puffins and pretty much any seabirds. Large quantities of Great Skuas there too (keep your head on a swivel and be prepared to duck!)

Hermaness is a bit of a trek - two more ferry rides and a couple of miles hill walk (some of it is paved now, so that helps). The Gannets on Noss are best seen from the sea. A tour goes from Lerwick 2 or 3 times daily > http://www.seabirds-and-seals.com/ I did it last year and it is well worth it. Takes about 3 hours and you will get very close to the colonies, and also have a chance for seals, otters or even a whale if you're very lucky.

Sumburgh Head (south mainland) is also great for Puffins and is easily accessible. Otters can be seen in many places if you spend a while looking. We frequently have some not far from the house so I might be able to help you out there:)

John
 
Watch out for the bonxies (great skuas) which will buzz you - a hat on a stick will give you a bit more clearance!

I'd be surprise if you got any midges - they like calm weather.
 
I'm incredibly jealous. Spent a few days on Shetland in 2003 - it's an amazing place. I'd love to go back with a proper camera rather than the Sony Cybershot I had with me then - or at least better understand that taking photos on the lowest quality setting isn't such a good idea.

We flew over to Papa Stour for the day and flying to the outer islands is pretty straightforward - I'd recommend doing that (not necessarily Papa Stour as I can't recall any exceptional wildlife although there are birds pretty much everywhere). We saw seals in Spiggie, which also has a really nice place to stay and eat (assuming it's still there).

But the views are spectacular all the time - the drive south down the Mainland from Lerwick to Sumburgh ... you'll be wanting to pull over all the time to drink in the dramatic view (and take piccies of it).

Have a look here as well for inspiration
 
artyman said:
There's a programme on TV I think it's tonight about Simon King spending a year on the Shetlands, may be worth watching.
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Yes - it was excellent (apart from the socialising bit where they all pretend to be Vikings).
Killer whales very close to shore, seals, otters, sea birds.
 
gingerjon said:
I'm incredibly jealous. Spent a few days on Shetland in 2003 - it's an amazing place. I'd love to go back with a proper camera rather than the Sony Cybershot I had with me then - or at least better understand that taking photos on the lowest quality setting isn't such a good idea.

We flew over to Papa Stour for the day and flying to the outer islands is pretty straightforward - I'd recommend doing that (not necessarily Papa Stour as I can't recall any exceptional wildlife although there are birds pretty much everywhere). We saw seals in Spiggie, which also has a really nice place to stay and eat (assuming it's still there).

But the views are spectacular all the time - the drive south down the Mainland from Lerwick to Sumburgh ... you'll be wanting to pull over all the time to drink in the dramatic view (and take piccies of it).

Have a look here as well for inspiration
Click to expand...

Thanks Jon - there is some good stuff in that flickr site. I really cant wait to go now - Im like a big kid !
 
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