About Shetland

When you look to find Shetland on a map of the UK it can be quite difficult to locate its true position since it is sometimes drawn in a box just off the Moray Firth. Its location at 60 degrees north and on the same latitude as Norway creates an impression of isolation. This stereotypical image of loneliness and storm battered lands is usually played up whenever the TV crews visit the islands. Watch any recent documentary on Shetland and you will barely see any signs of habitation by humans. The emphasis is always on the birds and other wildlife, and there is always a commentary on the famous stormy weather.

But whilst Shetland is an ornithologists dream location it does have other attractions such as the unique archaeological sites, gorgeous sandy beaches, sea and loch fishing, hill walking or just chilling out with one of the locally made beers. The weather can be coarse but on a fine day there is no bonnier place to be than Shetland. And in the Summer the fine days take on a magic of their own as the sun barely sets before rising again, casting a magical glow of light, known locally as the Simmer Dim.

The population hovers at around 22,000 and currently 15 out of the 100 islands are inhabited. Far from being isolated, there is so much going on in Shetland that it can sometimes feel like the crossroads of civilisation, which is of course what it used to be a thousand years ago. Shetland benefits from a friendly sociable community, where music and sport are taken seriously. Unemployment and house prices are low, as is the crime rate. Small class sizes and safe neighbourhoods make Shetland a brilliant place to raise a family.