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Shetland Islands Coast Guide A further 70 miles out from the Orkney Islands lie the Shetland Islands - a group of some 100 islands, of which only fifteen are inhabited. Surprisingly the Shetland Islands are only 200 miles from Norway, while London is around 800 miles away.
So it is not so surprising, given the geography, to find that these islands were under Norse rule until 1469, when they were gifted to Scotland as part of a Princess's dowry. Many of the place names on the islands are derived from the Norse language. Today some 12,000 people live on the islands and the majority of these are in Lerwick, with 7300 people. Around 2150 live on the northerly islands of Yell and Unst. The main island are all connected by car ferries and there are several ferries which run from Lerwick to Norway on a seasonal basis.
Muckle Flugga lighthouse
Places to visit around the Shetlands Fetlar Interpretive Centre - Beach of Houbie, Fetlar, Shetland, ZE2 9DJ Tel: 01957 733206 Fair Isle Lodge & Bird Observatory - The Lodge, Fair Isle, Shetland, Shetland Islands ZE2 9JU Tel: 01595 760258 Jarlshof - Sumburgh, Shetland, ZE3 9JN Tel: 01950 460112 St Magnus Bay Charters - Bird watching and fishing trips - Vaara, Aith, Bixter, Shetland, ZE2 9ND Tel / Fax: 01595 810378 Shetland Geotours - Guided walks - Meal, Hamnavoe, Burra Isle, Shetland ZE2 9LB Phone: 01595 859 218
Map of the Shetland Islands
View Larger Map < Orkney Guide Scotland East Coast Guide > Other sections of the guide you might also enjoy - see below. We will bring you feature articles about the coastline and news items about life in the coastal area. contributions to this section are welcome. Attractions - see listings pages
The National Marine Aquarium - Plymouth
The listings section will also have details of pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and shops available in the locality. Restaurants and shops coming soon..... The Beach Pub - Exmouth
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Ukcoastguide
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Ukcoastguide 2019
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Scalloway harbour Shetland Islands
For details of Shetland Hotels and Holidays, Guest Houses,
Cottages and to visit Attractions. Go to 
Lerwick, situated on the main island, known as
Mainland, is the UK's most northerly town. It is a busy harbour with fishing
vessels mixing with traffic from the North Sea oil rigs at the harbour side.
Shetland has an abundance of bird life and is home to more than 250,000 puffins.
The most northerly road in the whole UK is the A968 which runs up to the
northernmost inhabited island of Unst via the island of Yell just to the south -
there is not much traffic here! Robert Louis Stephenson wrote Treasure Island
while living on Unst - while his uncle built the lighthouse at Muckle Flugga -
the UK's most northerly lighthouse. Could come in useful for Trivial Pursuits!
Anyway one thing is certain - its a long way from St Agnes in the Scilly Isles -
to the island of Unst - around 1020 miles in fact.
A
huge selection of attractions are available within the coastal area and this
section will have details of many of them. From piers and harbours to fun fairs
and roller coasters, the listings will have details of what's available in your chosen
area. For details of attractions look in the resort pages. 
Whether
your idea of an ideal activity is sunbathing or you prefer something more
strenuous, the chances are that you will be able to pursue this at the
coast. There is a wide selection of activities that can be found on our
coastline - these range from a gentle stroll to the next bay, to swimming and snorkelling,
to more energetic activities such as sailing, surfing, windsurfing and kite
sailing. See Activities section.
Pubs, restaurants and shopping
guide