Things to do and see

There are seabird cliffs -and then there is Noss

Just 40 minutes from Lerwick, the Shetland capital, lies one of the most spectacular wildlife sights in Europe - 100,000 seabirds on 2km of sandstone cliffs up to 181 metres high.

A trip to Shetland without seeing the Noss National Nature Reserve is, as one visitor said, 'Like going to Egypt and missing the Pyramids'.

The high-speed motor launch Dunter takes you closest to the stupendous bird colonies - and we get you there faster. Along the way you 11 discover the fascinating coastline of the island of Bressay. Weather permitting, Dunter goes inside huge caves, through the magnificent rock arch of The Giant's Leg, and right alongside the seabird colonies. Your cruise includes a visit to a seal colony and the Bressay Lighthouse.

The entertaining commentary by an expert guide tells of the geology, natural history and folklore of Bressay and Noss. You'll see what the climate was like 400 million years ago, find traces of ancient glaciers and volcanic explosions, hear tales of the Vikings, the Press Gang, treasure ships, smugglers and deserted villages.

We often meet porpoises, occasionally whales - and most days we catch a fish or two.

Your guide and Boatman

Dr Jonathan Wills is the honorary warden of the Noss National Nature Reserve. He's been boating around Bressay and Noss for over 30 years, holds a Department of Transport Boatmaster's Licence and is a former skipper of the Muckle Flugga Lighthouse tender. A birdwatcher since childhood, he's a well-known writer, local historian and environmental campaigner.

Archaeology

To say that Shetland has the best archaeology visible anywhere in Britain is no exaggeration. The prehistoric site at Jarlshof stands over 2 metres high, the broch at Mousa 13 metres.

The earliest evidence of settlement in Shetland dates to about 3000BC (the Neolithič). Neolithic farmers grew barley, the stone tips of their ploughs can often be found lying on the ground.

The Bronze Age

The first known bronze working occurs in Shetland around 700 BC

The Iron Age

The advent of iron in Shetland 500BC coincided with the building of houses in groups and soon after, the building of brochs. These were tall defensive towers with hollow walls containing rooms and stair cases.

Picts

Who they were, where they came from, and whether they came to Shetland in any numbers is a bit of a mystery. One possibly Pictish burial has been found at Sandwick in Unst.

Vikings

It is certain that around 800 AD the Vikings came to Shetland. The earliest known Viking settlement is Jarlshof, excavated buildings at Underhoull and Sandwick, Unst are of a slightly later date.

The Shetland Pony

No early records of the Shetland Pony exist but the Bressay Stone, a relic of Pictish Times bears the sculpture of a horse with a rider, which historians regard as significant evidence that ponies roamed the hills and moors of Shetland long before the Norse invasion of the 8th-9th centuries.

The Shetland Pony Stud Book Society was formed in 1890 to maintain unimpaired the purity of Shetland ponies and to promote the breeding of these ponies. It was started by several far-sighted people, due to the demand for male ponies for the coal mines in the 1850's the number of good stallions being retained in the islands was reduced.

The Shetland Pony can be seen in all colours (except spotted) - black, chestnut, grey, bay, dun, blue roan, piebald or skewbaid. Up until recently the heavy black Shetland Pony probably dominated the show classes outwith the Shetland Islands, due to the fact that many of the ponies on the British Mainland may have derived from the heavy black pony exported for coal mines.

The Shetland is the smallest of the British native breeds with a maximum height of 42" and is seen as small as 28' or so. It is hardy and resilient being very strong for its size.

Trout Fishing

The fishing comprises both Brown Trout and Sea Trout with the likelihood of the occasional Grilse. In the countless fresh-water lochs brown trout are from '/21b upwards with sea trout and grilse from 21b and upwards

Brown Trout

The sporting qualities of the wild Shetland brown trout are widely commented upon by the top angling writers. Shetland may not have the biggest brown trout in the world but for the size of the islands, it certainly has the most.

Sea Trout

Visitors should note that there are no rivers in Shetland and sea trout are caught by fishing from the beaches all around the islands either by casting a wet fly or spinning into the open sea.

Arctic Char

This attractive fish provides one of the unique features of Shetland angling. The deep loch of Girlsta, 10 miles to the north of Lerwick, contains large stocks of brown trout, ferox and char.