Shetland 

The Shetland Isles are the most northerly territories of the British Isles – the most northerly island, Unst, is some 170 miles north of John O’ Groat’s and is farther north than parts of Alaska. Of the hundred or so islands only fifteen are inhabited and most of the 20,000 residents live on Mainland, the largest island.

In the summer months it never gets totally dark while in the winter it is barely light. On the last Tuesday in January Shetlanders celebrate the Norse festival of Up-Helly-Aa and burn a long ship replica to mark the end of the darkest winter days.

• The capital of the islands is Lerwick on Mainland and is Britain’s most northerly town. It is a lively harbour, which in the summer months attracts yachts, cruise liners and motor cruisers from ports al over the Atlantic coast. You can’t escape the town’s seafaring heritage as fishing boats and merchants’ houses are everywhere.

Shetland Travel Guide