Shetland Islands Car Tours: Top 5 Unforgettable Drives

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Shetland Islands Car Tours: Top 5 Unforgettable Drives

Shetland Islands

Thinking about touring the Shetland Islands by car? You’re definitely in for a treat! So, it’s almost like these remote islands are offering some genuinely unbelievable freedom to explore at your own rhythm. That is to say, from dramatic coastlines and awesome wildlife to ancient history lurking around basically every corner, having a car means you won’t miss a single breathtaking thing. Here, we’ll point out some spectacular routes that seriously feature the best of Shetland.

1. The South Mainland Loop: History and Coastal Views

South Mainland Shetland

The South Mainland Loop, yeah, might be an awesome way to start your Shetland adventure! That’s because you get a little taste of everything pretty quick. Starting from Lerwick, head southward; that is to say you will pass through stunning spots along the way.

  • Sumburgh Head: Keep an eye open, sometimes, for puffins chilling in the summertime, but truly the cliff views will blow your mind.
  • Jarlshof: Jarlshof’s quite impressive because you see thousands of years just stacked up on top of each other from different inhabitants through time. It’s virtually like standing inside an incredible textbook!
  • St. Ninian’s Isle: That’s one of those isthmuses – basically, it looks really fantastic, that, this strip of sandy beach joins the mainland to the little island; so, it’s perfect for a stroll.

The roads here actually are really straightforward. Then again, be sure to give yourself heaps of time for photographs because the scenery is so pretty; that’s very worth doing. You’ll probably want to budget a full day to take it all in; basically, this avoids any rush, alright. Read our full review: Shetland South Mainland car tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (South Mainland Loop)

2. Eshaness and the North West: Dramatic Cliffs and Geology

Eshaness Shetland

Up for even more dramatic coastal views? Alright then, make a move to Eshaness and Northmavine because there’s something spectacular out there. So, it’s almost like the roads become quite narrow but that is still very driveable and manageable.

  • Eshaness Lighthouse: Absolutely stand on those dramatic cliffs at Eshaness because, I mean, they are battered all day long by the waves of the Atlantic! It truly is something!
  • Tangwick Haa Museum: Might be great, very, very, for a small cultural detour, and to absorb all about the history and local lore of the area.
  • Saxa Vord: You can climb Shetland’s highest hill! Anyway, maybe give this one a go if the weather’s playing nice, but the sights when you get up there actually are unbelievable.

Give yourself a lot of time because this drive is totally about pausing constantly to check out the landscape and that; anyway, some serious dramatic photography happens on this journey. So, too it’s almost like this area really demonstrates all of Shetland’s wild side! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Eshaness and North West). Read our full review: Shetland Eshaness car tour Full Review and Details

3. Central Mainland: Brochs, Bridges, and Shetland Ponies

Central Mainland Shetland

Thinking more chilled vibes today? Then head directly into the Central Mainland. So, this bit of Shetland tends to be a blend of both history and really quite pleasant scenery. Starting near the biggest settlement, basically this way brings something really special.

  • Clickimin Broch: A brilliant stop for a few minutes, that, you know, there’s one of those Iron Age circular buildings still kinda standing!
  • The Scalloway Castle: Now, here’s one that’s kinda been around for a good amount of time! Sometimes, people really like climbing the old tower because from up there everything has an entirely different outlook!
  • Shetland Ponies: Honestly, you shouldn’t be surprised if they show up to welcome you. We definitely found one very relaxed at the side of one road and thought “aww”, is that we’re finally friends with a wild Shetland Pony, you know.

Anyway, central Shetland is so effortless to drive since the area features fewer really crazy windy lanes and very simple links; usually it means your exploration won’t come with lots of difficulties! Definitely leave aside a morning to slowly absorb all the main points. Then again, don’t speed – keep an eye out constantly for cute ponies, basically, they might step into the roads pretty spontaneously; apparently they are curious individuals. Read our full review: Central Shetland Mainland car tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Central Mainland)

4. Island Hopping to Unst: Hermaness National Nature Reserve

Island Hopping to Unst Shetland

Alright then, time that you leave the primary mainland for a wee little while! The Isle of Unst could be the UK’s most northerly populated spot, yet, it features sights simply unreachable from everywhere else. Anyway, there happen to be two ferries associated with that route – pretty frequent.

  • Hermaness National Nature Reserve: Seriously, you need sturdy shoes because this area is amazing, full stop. Sometimes you could witness all these huge seabird colonies along wild cliff edges and just expansive moorland.
  • Muness Castle: One little castle to pause and get fantastic images of – very scenic over at this castle, yes?
  • Bobby’s Bus Shelter: Seemingly, this thing is more famed than basically you thought because that seemingly routine bus station turned into a sort of mad attraction because people make constant alterations there for a laugh; that feels extremely community spirited too, and funny naturally.

Be aware, that, basically getting out on two fast ferry rides kinda cuts away from your touring hours, therefore this mission might demand all day to soak fully. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Island Hopping to Unst). Read our full review: Shetland Unst car tour Full Review and Details

5. West Mainland: Beautiful Beaches and Coastline

West Mainland Shetland

Ok, that West Mainland Shetland road circuit often is an awesome run to appreciate a bunch more peaceful corners and bits within the main island and might be a satisfying option if there isn’t adequate time for multiple ferry adventures. Now here’s bits around its areas and routes!

  • Sands of Meal: Alright then – maybe you’re in for wandering across fantastic beach locations that you almost may think isn’t necessarily near to the northern isles of Scotland. That seemingly serene spot features attractive white dunes with that of fantastic crystal blue waters.
  • The Walls Peninsula: Honestly, this area boasts remarkable horizons because of the waters plus truly, too it’s almost pretty superb and genuinely scenic and peaceful so you are certainly advised when driving there and passing with the spot anytime during any moment throughout your west Mainland route run or so, OK?
  • Easthouse Croft Museum: A fine and cool tiny community maintained classic farm gallery with genuine croft lifetime from Shetland’s historic decades while revealing classic regional folksy customs in this tiny bit. Arguably it’s worth traveling throughout that part to witness how genuinely neighborhood crofters spent lifetime performing tasks throughout the aged era on those parts; pretty academic I would suggest too, of course.

Anyway West Mainland might provide some lovely landscapes but generally it usually might make any day of trips there so exciting anyway as very similar spots aren’t seriously a lot of that well promoted; pretty good in case seeking corners other traveling vacationers don’t usually access apparently. Read our full review: Shetland West Mainland car tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (West Mainland)