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With expert guidance from a local naturalist and Mike Dilger, the natural wonders of The Shetland Islands will be revealed to you on this group trip. Mammals, birds and landscapes coalesce to form a sensational wildlife experience.

The abundant beauty of this archipelago is manifested in a variety of forms. The dramatic and impressive landscape remains unspoiled and is laden with rare and beautiful wildflowers at this time of year. Cliffs and bays rendered rugged from winter storms, provide shelter to wildlife in the summer months: seals peacefully haul out to rest motionlessly, whilst vast breeding colonies of puffins, gannets and guillemots create a blur of motion and a cacophony of calls. Out at sea, whales and dolphins traverse the surrounding pristine waters.

Join us on this extraordinary wildlife holiday to the Shetland Islands!

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Meet and greet on arrival at Sumburgh

    After a welcome dinner we depart on an evening excursion to the Isle of Mousa to visit a large colony of European storm petrels.

    Accommodation: Sumburgh Hotel, 3-nights

  2. Day 2: Explore Mainland Shetland

    A visit to Sumburgh Head will reveal vast numbers of seabirds such as Atlantic puffin, razorbill, guillemot, kittiwake and shag. After absorbing this spectacle, you will look for Shetland's more common passerines including wheatears, rock and meadow pipits, skylarks, twite and the Shetland wren.

  3. Day 3: Central Mainland & Noss National Nature Reserve

    Today’s highlight will be a cruise around the island of Noss - often referred to as "Britain's best bird cliff" where 20,000 gannets, 40,000 guillemots and 5,000 kittiwakes descend each summer to breed.

  4. Day 4: Fetlar Island

    Taking the ferry across to the island of Fetlar, you will scan for the iconic plumage of the red-necked phalarope. This island holds over 80% of the British breeding population of this delicate wader. Fetlar’s fertile soil makes it an exceptional location to see several species of orchid amongst a myriad of wildflowers.

    Accommodation: St Magnus Bay Hotel, 2-nights

  5. Day 5: Unst - Hermaness & Keen of Hamar Arctic Alpines

    Today's visit to Unst, Britain’s most northerly inhabited island. Here you will explore Hermaness National Nature, where great skuas, puffins and gannets assemble in vast numbers, making this stunning reserve one of Europe's most important wildlife areas. An afternoon visit to Keen of Hamar National Nature Reserve will reveal a diverse eco-system, home to an array of rare wildflowers, including Norwegian sandwort, frog orchid, early purple orchid, moonwort and importantly Shetland mouse-ear chickweed.

  6. Day 6: Eshaness & Northmavine

    The caves, crags and rocky 'geos' on the north Mainland provide some of Shetland's most dramatic and iconic coastal scenery. Passing seabirds, Shetland wrens, wheatears, twites, rock pipits, an abundance of coastal wildflowers will fill our day and there’s always the chance of sighting whales and dolphins offshore.

    Accommodation: Sumburgh Hotel, 2-nights

  7. Day 7: East Mainland

    Our final full day on the Shetland Isles will be crammed with remarkable wildlife and landscapes! As we explore the beautiful coastline and secluded bays that form the east shoulder of the Shetland Mainland we scour the shallow intertidal bays for otter, common dolphin and grey seals. Whilst further offshore, small pods of the Shetland's smallest cetacean, the harbour porpoise - locally referred to as ‘Neesicks’ may be seen hunting or travelling through the waters.

  8. Day 8: Departure

    After breakfast you will transfer to Sumburgh airport for your departure.

Key info

  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 days from £2,995 pp
  • Single supplement: From £340
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • Group size: 12
  • Group Departures:
    Make a booking request.
    1. Book
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  • Included in the price/package:
    • Transfers and transport on the Shetland Islands
    • Accommodation as indicated
    • Meals as indicated
    • Services of local guide(s)
    • Excursions and activities
    • Services of Mike Dilger
  • Activities available:
    • Boat trip
    • Photography
    • Walking

Expert leader

Mike Dilger

Photo of Mike Dilger

Mike Dilger has been an obsessive naturalist since childhood, equally at home either identifying wild flowers in the British countryside, or surveying the Amazon for hummingbirds.

With degrees in Botany and Ecology, Mike’s obsession with the tropics began when studying moths in the South American Andes. This then led to over five years carrying out research work in the tropical forests of Ecuador, Vietnam, Tanzania and Peru.

Finally emerging out of the bush and returning to Britain to find a job in television, Mike is probably best known as the wildlife expert on the BBC’s The One Show. Pontificating about everything from bumblebees to basking sharks, Mike has racked up over 450 appearances during his 15 years on the show.

His main job now is as a professional plate spinner, which involves intermingling TV commitments, tour-leading, writing and giving talks. Mike leads trips for Wildlife Worldwide from the Somerset Levels to the Scottish Highlands in the UK, while abroad he takes guests to Ecuador and Madagascar.

A columnist for BBC Wildlife Magazine, Mike has also written eight nature-themed books, with his most recent being One Thousand Shades of Green - A Year in Search of Britain’s Wild Plants

View all tours led by Mike

Tour Reports

Find out more about the day-to-day sightings and wildlife activities on our group tours from our expert naturalist leaders.

Featured location:

The Shetland Islands

The beauty and charm of this rugged land and seascapes are breathtaking. The region has an astonishing variety of animal and plant life, and the surrounding waters are one of the best places in the British Isles to see marine mammals. The islands are also renowned as a paradise for birdwatchers. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: Scotland
  • Ideal for viewing: common seal, grey seal, harbour porpoise, otter, storm petrel
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching, Dolphin watching