Highlights of Shetland

Home to a rich archaeological landscape

5 Days From $1,755pp Departing Jul & Aug ‘21 Activity Level

Shetland has long been famous as a mecca for bird enthusiasts and its rich archaeological landscape often goes overlooked. However, the lack of intensive modern farming means that the preservation of its sites and their landscapes is truly exceptional. From the internationally important sites of Mousa and Jarlshof to deserted white-sand beaches, join us here.

Tour Highlights

• Climb to the top of Mousa Broch, the tallest example of this unique Iron Age structure standing at 13 meters – the views over the sea are spectacular • Discover Scatness, an extensive settlement site with prehistoric, Viking and

Pictish remains built and rebuilt over thousands of years • Explore Jarlshof, constructed by Neolithic farmers c2400 BC and occupied, though not continuously, for over 4,000 years

Day One | Lerwick We meet at our hotel for an introductory lecture and group dinner. Day Two | Mousa Broch & Jarlshof Our tour of Shetland’s archaeology starts at Mousa Broch, situated on the uninhabited island of the same name a couple of miles off the east coast of Shetland’s mainland. Returning to the mainland we drive south to Scatness, an Iron Age broch and village occupied for around two millennia, and we end the day at Jarlshof – a spectacular site on the headland overlooking the West Voe. Day Three | Unst Today we take two short ferry crossings to reach Unst, Britain’s most northerly inhabited island, where we discover its Viking heritage. We will visit one of the excavated longhouse sites at Underhoull and then we continue to Haroldswick, where we see the Skidbladner – a replica ship – and a reconstructed longhouse. In the afternoon we drive towards Skaw to take in the view of the Muckle Flugga lighthouse, perched on the northern tip of Unst. Before catching our return ferry, we will also visit Muness Castle, a late 16th century tower house that was destroyed by French pirates in 1627 and abandoned in the 18th century. Day Four | Shetland It’s our last full day on Shetland and we start with Stanydale Temple on the West Mainland. This extraordinary structure gained its name from its similarity to the megalithic temple sites in Malta. Its origins date between 2500-2000 BCE but it appears to have still been occupied into the early Iron Age. From here we drive to the Scord of Brouster, one of the earliest Neolithic farm sites in Shetland. Excavated in the 1970s, it spans a period from just after 3000 BC to around 1500 BC and comprises several houses and interlinked field walls. Returning to Lerwick, we visit the award-winning Shetland Museum, which displays over 3,000 artifacts, and our day comes to an end at Clickhimin Iron Age Broch and later wheelhouse situated just outside of Lerwick. Day Five | Shetland Today we travel onwards independently.

Guided by Peter Yeoman

Peter formerly worked as the Head of Cultural Heritage at Historic Scotland.

Price includes

• Expert Guide Lecturer & Professional Tour Manager • Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • All taxes & gratuities Included travel

• All local transport Accommodation

• Accommodation at The Shetland Hotel, Lerwick Culinary inclusions

• 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 4 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 15th - 19th Jul ‘21 $1,790 $270 16th - 20th Aug ‘21 $1,755 $270