Step away from the frantic rhythms of everyday life, slow down, take a breath and discover your authentic self in Shetland this winter. A place where the air is so fresh you can truly exhale, and the coastline so wild you can truly feel free. Make time for you with a winter break in Shetland.

Experience the wild winter beauty of Shetland

Catch the Mirrie Dancers

Witness the phenomenon that is the Mirrie Dancers, or as they're more commonly known, the Northern Lights. These spectral curtains of green and sometimes pink, orange and purple set clear skies alight and truly are a sight to behold. This enigmatic symphony is one of the many delights of a Shetland winter, but you shouldn’t travel here specifically to see them – they’re too elusive for that – but it’s worth bringing a tripod with you just in case.

UK’s most northerly live video stream

Enjoy the livestream from Unst, “the island above all others”. The camera in Burrafirth will capture everything from spectacular winter weather to dark skies and the magnificent aurora borealis. Keep checking back to enjoy the latest scenes from the UK’s most northerly isle.

Discover more about the Northern Lights

Shetland is a walking destination all year round and below we've selected some of the best routes to explore in winter, where we hope the ground won't be too soggy underfoot and there's plenty of solid terrain to tramp on.

The weather can change at the drop of a hat and the sun sets early in the day, so if you are getting out and about, make sure you're prepared for all eventualities. Read our guidance for walkers in Shetland blog before you set off.

Try one of these spectacular winter routes

More winter walking inspiration

What Shetlanders love about winter

  • Even though our winters can be wild, stormy and dark, I love being tucked up inside listening to the weather lashing around the outside of the house, and take joy in the comfort and warmth of the home. Taking a winter walk is always a bracing experience too – getting buffeted by the wind and rain can be seriously invigorating, it truly makes you feel alive!

    Jon Pulley
    Jon Pulley
    Tour guide and owner of Adventure Shetland

  • Winter has its challenges, but as a reward we get to enjoy Mirrie Dancers, the most stunning golden hours, dramatic wave watching and of course winter brings reestit mutton and tattie soup season!

    Leah
    Leah
    Social media influencer Shetland Islands With Leah

  • My favourite time of the year in Shetland is most likely winter as I love dramatic landscapes. I enjoy being out watching the coast on a wild day and then coming home and getting warm. I know the days are short but when the sun does appear the quality of light is generally fantastic.

    Calum Toogood
    Calum Toogood
    Photographer

  • I love the cold wind here in winter time, it makes you feel alive when you're out working in a gale, all wrapped up in my knitwear. The sheep all look so fluffy and cute in wintertime and having a croft makes you go out every day to feed them and I love that.

  • Winter can be very dramatic, and, during a storm, the waves crashing up the rock face of Bluemull is truly awesome. One of my all-time favourite days was walking to Breckon on Christmas Day, maybe ten years ago, with thick snow lying, the sun shining, and the whole of Shetland just glistening. Ours were the only footprints on the whole beach. Bliss!

    Shona Skinner
    Shona Skinner
    Artist and owner of the Shetland Gallery

    Experience one of Shetland's fantastic fire festivals

    Explore Shetland

    Visiting Shetland in winter is for those who like to get off the beaten track and do something different. The days are short and a lot of the tourist attractions are closed for the season but what you gain are fewer tourists, unspoilt landscapes, dramatic weather and, if you're lucky, a chance to see the awesome Northern Lights. Winter is a great time for wildlife too, particularly otter and whale spotting. It can also be pretty romantic, particularly when you can snug up by a warm fire after an invigorating day outdoors.

    Be inspired by Shetland this winter

    Winter food and drink

    Plan your trip

    Inspired to book a winter escape to Shetland? We've got all the information you need to make your dream a reality. Follow the links below to find out how to get here, where to find available accommodation, places to eat and things to do.

    Be inspired by others to explore Shetland

    Share your favourite pics using #inspiredbyshetland and #visitshetland

    Much of Shetland woke up to a fresh covering of snow this morning, matched with blue skies and winter sunshine. ⁠ ⁠ #60north #shetlandphotography #shetlandlife #promoteshetland #shetland #myshetlandlife #instashetland #whatshetlandmeanstome #visitshetland #shetlandersofinstagram #shetlandislands #shetlandisles #everythingshetland #inspiredbyshetland #shetlandtruenorth
    As Shetland lies closer to the North Pole than any other part of Britain, it’s the best place to see the Northern Lights. Over a typical winter, a keen observer checking the skies on every clear night could certainly expect to see the aurora several times, with a number of low-level displays and possibly one or two more spectacular ones. But, the important thing to bear in mind is that aurorae are hard to predict.⁠ ⁠ If you're looking for tips and tricks for photographing the northern lights check out our blog, link in bio!
    🍂 Shetland's autumnal glow, spectacular waves, and woodland walks – the perfect season of change.⁠ ⁠ 🌅 Light and colour tell the story of Shetland’s changing season. The intense clarity of summer light is slowly replaced with gold as the sun lingers closer to the horizon, gilding the landscape, deepening and intensifying shadows.⁠ ⁠ 🌊 As gales whip up wild seas, spindrift travels with the wind and the saturated sky becomes infused with colours of sunset, giving the feeling of being suspended in and ever-shifting world of weather.⁠ ⁠ Discover Autumn in Shetland in Catherine's latest blog post, just follw our link in bio. ⁠ ⁠ #Shetland #InspiredByShetland ⁠
    Over past decades, travellers to Shetland have had the choice of several guidebooks. The recently published Shetland: Your Essential Travel Guide is the first comprehensive guide to the islands to be written and published locally.⁠ ⁠ Its author, Laurie Goodlad, grew up in Shetland, works as a tour guide and is deeply involved in the presentation and curation of the islands’ heritage. Misa Hay is a local publisher who is also a tour operator specialising in textiles. Both of them not only have a detailed knowledge of their islands’ geography and history; they also bring a deep understanding of Shetland’s unique culture, offering the kinds of insights that can only come from immersion in island life.⁠ ⁠ Learn more in Alastair's book review, just head to our link in bio.
    Just a peerie bit further 🥾⁠ ⁠ 📷: @godisopensource
    Shetland is renowned for its amazing natural landscape and wildlife. Yet the award-winning documentary, Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, shares a tale that goes beyond most naturalists’ wildest dreams.⁠ ⁠ This beautiful film observes the extraordinary bond between a Shetland man (Billy) and an otter (Molly). In doing so, it captures the islands’ wild beauty and the scope they offer for unique wildlife encounters.⁠ ⁠ For Billy, the film gives a real sense of how accessible Shetland’s wildlife is to locals and visitors. He says: “You’re never far away from wildlife here. Whether it's otters, seals, birds, rabbits, hedgehogs, you name it”⁠ ⁠ This constant proximity to wildlife is one of Billy’s favourite things about life in Shetland. One of his regular pastimes is sitting outside, listening to the sounds of the natural world. He says: “There are so many different sounds: birds, seals and even otters, if you know what you're listening for."⁠ ⁠ The film is now available to view in the UK, and you can learn earn in our blog, follow our link in bio. ⁠ ⁠ 📸 Billy Mail and National Geographic - Jeff Wilson, Johnny Rolt, Charlie Hamilton James⁠ ⁠ #promoteshetland #shetland #shetlandislands #shetlandisles #inspiredbyshetland #shetlandtruenorth #otter #otters #ottersdaily #ottersofinstagram
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