Almost 160 kilometers (99 miles) north of mainland Scotland, the Shetland Islands sit at a similar latitude to Bergen and the southern tip of Greenland. Summer brings extraordinarily long days to this archipelago of around 100 islands, rich in nature reserves, archaeological treasures, and distinctive island traditions. Depending on conditions, we hope to explore several of the following places: Between Orkney and Shetland, tiny Fair Isle is renowned for its bird observatory, distinctive knitwear, and dramatic shipwreck history. Cliffs surround much of the island, while its small community lives mainly in traditional crofts across the more fertile south. Positioned beneath major migration routes from Scandinavia, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, Fair Isle is a paradise for birdwatchers. In summer, fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, gannets, shags, and puffins crowd the cliffs. Wildflowers flourish across the island, and we may meet local residents, hike through the landscape, or visit the museum. The surrounding waters are home to grey and common seals, with possible sightings of porpoises, dolphins, orcas, and minke whales. From Lerwick, we plan to discover Jarlshof, one of Shetland's most complex archaeological sites. Revealed by storms in the late 19th century, the site preserves evidence of more than 4,000 years of settlement, from Neolithic homes and a Bronze Age smithy to Iron Age buildings, Norse longhouses, and a medieval farmstead. The name 'Jarlshof' was bestowed by Sir Walter Scott in his novel The Pirate. Noss National Nature Reserve is famed for its kilometer-long seabird cliffs. During breeding season, the calls of around 150,000 birds and chicks fill the air as gannets, guillemots, and other seabirds occupy ledges in sandstone cliffs rising almost 200 meters (656 feet). Seals rest along the shoreline, while otters sometimes forage among the kelp. On the uninhabited island of Mousa stands Mousa Broch, the best preserved of Scotland's Iron Age fortified towers. Nearly 2,000 years old, its remarkable stonework still rises more than 13 meters. By day, common and grey seals may be seen along the shore, and we will keep watch for otters-known locally as dratsies. ...
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