Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
01595-859218;
www.shetlandgeotours.com
;
per person from £45 )
Runs daily excur-
sions and guided walks, focusing on history and archaeology, but including some nature-
watching.
Festivals & Events
Shetland Folk Festival
(
www.shetlandfolkfestival.com
)
Held in late April or early May.
MUSIC
UP HELLY AA!!
Shetland's long Viking history has rubbed off in more ways than just street names and square-shouldered locals.
Most villages have a fire festival, a continuation of Viking midwinter celebrations of the rebirth of the sun. The
most spectacular happens in Lerwick.
Up Helly Aa
(
www.uphellyaa.org
)
takes place on the last Tuesday in January. Squads of
guizers
dress in Vik-
ing costume and march through the streets with blazing torches, dragging a replica longship, which they then sur-
round and burn, bellowing out Viking songs from behind bushy beards.
Sleeping
Lerwick has very average hotels but excellent B&B choices. It fills year-round, so book
ahead.
B&B
Alder Lodge Guest House££
(
01595-695705;
www.alderlodgeguesthouse.com
; 6 Clairmont Pl; s £40-50, d £75;
)
This stone former bank is a delightful place to stay. Imbued with a sense of space and
light, the rooms are large and very well furnished, with good en suites, fridges and DVD
player. Excellent hosts really make the effort to help you feel at home, and do a great
breakfast, with a smoked fish option and special diets catered for. There is also a self-ca-
tering house nearby.
B&B
Fort Charlotte Guesthouse££
