Place

Shetland stretches 160 km from Fair Isle to Out Stack, the northernmost point in Britain. The actual coastline is around 900 miles long, every inch as dramatic as the next with cliffs, sea caves, sandy bays and miles of beaches.

There’s a bit of everything from volcanic lavas and granite to sandstone and limestone, carved out by glaciers long before flowering plants, insects, birds and most land animals had evolved.

Shetland’s climate is quite mild considering how far north it is – as far as St Petersburg (Russia) or Anchorage (USA).

The 804 km of roads on the islands are well maintained and it’s easy to explore by car. If you want to get to the smaller islands ferries and bridges allow for easy access. Shetland is a fantastic place for walkers too.

• Find out more about Shetland’s geography

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