The Shetland Islands is a group of islands (archipelago) in the Atlantic Ocean (Europe). The Shetland Islands are part of Scotland (United Kingdom). The Shetland Islands consists of about 100 islands, 15 of which are inhabited. The largest and most famous islands are: Mainland, Bressay, Burra, Fetlar, Foula, Muckle Roe, Papa Stour, Trondra, Unst, Vaila, Yell, Housay, Bruray, Fair Isle and Whalsay. The capital of the Shetland Islands is Lerwick. See anycountyprivateschools for MBAs in Europe get cheaper.
The Shetland Islands are a group of hilly islands with rolling green hills. The coastlines are mostly characterized by steep cliffs interspersed with some sand and pebble beaches. There is still a lot of history to be found on the Shetland Islands. There are still prehistoric buildings and many ruins. The population mostly lives from fishing and tourism. Furthermore, the islands are known for the many seabirds that can be found there and of course the Shetland ponies and the Sheltie (dog breed).
Where are the Shetland Islands?
Travel information of Shetland Islands
Official name: Shetland Islands
Continent: Europe
Area: 1,466 km²
Capital: Lerwick
Country code: GB, GBR
Population: 22,990 inhabitants (2017)
Form of government: Independent government
Highest point: 450 m (Ronas Hill)
Distance (Amsterdam – Lerwick): 943 km
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in place on the Shetland Islands that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of the Shetland Islands, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to the Shetland Islands. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about the Shetland Islands?
Weather and climate
The Shetland Islands have a maritime climate. The temperatures are around 5 degrees during the winter months and around 15 to 20 degrees during the summer months.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for the Shetland Islands can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of the Shetland Islands can be found at Climate info.
Best time to travel
May, June, July and August are the best months to travel to the Shetland Islands. In these months you have the best chance of pleasant temperatures and you will also find a large number of birds on the islands.
Language
English and Scots are both official languages in the Shetland Islands.
Would you like to translate from or into English for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a valid passport.
A visa is not necessary.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in the United Kingdom:
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulates in the United Kingdom:
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of the United Kingdom in the Netherlands: ukinnl.fco.gov.uk.
United Kingdom Consulate in the Netherlands: ukinnl.fco.gov.uk.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
You do not need any vaccinations for a visit to the Shetland Islands.
Money and Currency matters
On the Shetland Islands, payment is made with the British pound (GBP).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs on the Shetland Islands can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices on the Shetland Islands are slightly lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -2% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (5% cheaper), food (0.5% more expensive), imported beer in catering (20% more expensive), cigarettes (66% more expensive) and public transport (4% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
It is customary to tip in the Shetland Islands. If this has not already been included in the bill, it is customary to tip approximately 10%.
Time difference
On the Shetland Islands it is 1 hour earlier than in the Netherlands.
Summer time on the Shetland Islands is equal to that in the Netherlands.
The local time, date and time zone of the Shetland Islands can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
On the Shetland Islands you must drive on the left.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle on the Shetland Islands.
Information about public transport in the Shetland Islands can be found on ZetTrans.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within the Shetland Islands.
Electricity
On the Shetland Islands you need a travel plug.
More information about common plugs and sockets on the Shetland Islands can be found on our electricity page (see United Kingdom).
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 999 or 112
– Fire: 999 or 112
– Ambulance: 999 or 112
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to the Shetland Islands can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from the Shetland Islands can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from the Shetland Islands end in.co.uk.
Official websites of the Shetland Islands: visitscotland.com and shetland.org.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone on the Shetland Islands is 0044 or +44.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from the Shetland Islands? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from the Shetland Islands.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from the Shetland Islands.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays on the Shetland Islands can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations on the Shetland Islands, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about the Shetland Islands?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited the Shetland Islands. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and World Heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) on the Shetland Islands can be found on Protected Planet.
The Shetland Islands are not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to the Shetland Islands? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business on or do business with the Shetland Islands, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about the Shetland Islands, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, product requirements, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to the Shetland Islands.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.8.
– Tobacco: Buy from the age of 18, smoke from the age of 16.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know…
…The Shetland Islands are known for large colonies of seabirds?
…There is a TV series called Shetland?
…The Shetland Islands consists of about 100 islands?
…The Shetland pony is named after the Shetland Islands?