Shetland Islands Factsheet

Shetland

The Shetland Islands are the northern-most part of the British Isles. Settled by Vikings, the islands were mortgaged to Scotland by the King of Denmark just over 500 years ago. Nordic influence is still strong: this heritage most famously celebrated every January in Europes largest fire festival called Up-Helly-Aa. 

Only 15 out of a total of the 100 islands in the area are populated, - the majority of the people live on the largest, known as the Mainland, with its busy harbours of Lerwick and Scalloway. 

The coast is dominated by spectacular cliffs, while deserted white, sandy beaches can be found throughout the isles. Grassy meadows, full of fragrant wild summer flowers, contrast with dark heather and peat moors. Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the northern North Sea, ancient brochs, and lighthouses dominate the horizon.

Shetland boasts Europes largest oil shipment terminal, which nestles amid rolling hills at Sullom Voe, without impacting upon the islands natural beauty. With its oil, textiles and other resources, Shetland is a relatively prosperous place, possessing high quality hotels, sports facilities, roads and other services for the film director.

Shetlands northerly latitude gives rise to the longest filming hours available in the UK, with midsummer on the island bringing four hours more daylight than London. Combined with the clear, unpolluted air: the quality of light and hours available make filming here unsurpassable.

ACCESS:

Shetland possesses one of the best transport infrastructure north of Aberdeen and Inverness with Sumburgh Airport Scotlands sixth busiest. Flights generally route through Aberdeen (regular Easyjet connections with London Luton) and direct links from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Orkney.  Additionally, there are airports at Tingwall, near Lerwick, Scatsta, near Sullom Voe and at Baltasound, on Unst, as well as six airstrips on outlying islands,served by the inter-island air services.

Daily roll-on, roll-off ferry links are provided via high quality modern fleets available from Aberdeen and Orkney as well as regular links throughout the year with Denmark, Norway and the Faroe Islands. Within Shetland inter-island ferries connect Shetlands main island to nine smaller ones.

For further information:

The Scottish Highlands and Islands Film Commission office for the Shetland Islands can be contacted for more detailed information on its services and facilities, including free advice and information on locations, accommodation crew as well as access to an extensive photographic library.

Contact:

Neil Henderson
Shetland Islands Council,
Economic Development Unit,
Shetland Business Innovation Centre,
Gremista,
Lerwick,
Shetland,
ZE10PX
Tel: 44 (0) 1595 744 960.
Fax: 44 (0) 1595 744 961
Email: [email protected]

Climate:

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sunshine-daily	0.7	1.9	2.7	4.5	4.9	5.3	4	3.8	3.2	2	1.1	0.5
Temp. (c)	4.6	5.4	4.3	5.3	8.5	11.2	11.2	11.2	11.5	7.3	5.4	4.8
Rain - mm	133	93	115	73	62	62	64	77	118	136	143	144