THE Shetland Family History Society based at 6 Hillhead, Lerwick was started in 1991 through demand from interested researchers both locally and overseas. Current membership stands at about 850 – the majority of those living outwith the islands.

IF YOUR idea of a holiday includes being active, rather than relaxed, there are opportunities throughout the isles to take part in, or be a spectator at various activities and leisure pursuits, either afloat or ashore.

SHETLAND has over 300 trout lochs ranging from rich machair/limestone lochs to mysterious, peaty pools, sprinkled all over the mainland and main islands. This is truly a trout fisherman’s paradise. Be prepared for hard fighting, wild trout in wild places, where your only fishing companions may be otters and herons.

LERWICK is the main town and capital of Shetland and dates from the 17th century. Its name comes from the Norse ‘Leirvik’ meaning ‘muddy bay’. Sheltered by the island of Bressay to the east, it has an excellent natural harbour that attracts vessels of all shapes and sizes.

It is the main arrival point for…

Scalloway

DRIVE out of Lerwick by the north road and at the foot of Dale, by the golf course, turn left and head for Scalloway – Shetland’s ancient capital. The wind generators on the hill before you are part of Shetland’s first commercial-scale wind farm, producing energy for Scottish Hydro Electric.

If travelling from the…

DRIVING north through Tingwall on the A970 road you pass the small settlement of Girlsta. Girlsta Loch is Shetland’s largest and deepest loch, full of brown trout and Arctic char, stranded there after the Ice Age and developed into slender char, offering good fishing. The loch is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and…

THE WEST SIDE peninsula begins at Tresta and has remained relatively unspoilt by developments of the oil era, making it a place worth exploring. This is also popularly known as the ’sunny side’ of Shetland and seems to escape days of fog or rain more often than other parts of the islands, and some spectacular…

THE MAIN A970 road north through the Lang Kames – a glaciated valley – is a super road to travel on; looking south on this stretch of road affords a vista through to Hamnavoe on Burra Isle.

The Kames is featuring prominently in the local news at present as it is the proposed site of…

THE LAND north of Mavis Grind is composed mainly of red granite and diorite. It is a place both wild and glorious, with some of the best scenery in Shetland, and is known as Northmavine. Once described as “the largest, wildest and most beautiful parish in Shetland” this area boasts not only an outstanding coastline…

THE SOUTH Mainland is the area running from Gulberwick, just outside Lerwick, to Sumburgh Head. If you arrive in Shetland by plane you’ll land at Sumburgh Airport, at the south tip of the Mainland, and work your way north. This article is written in the opposite direction, from Lerwick heading south, but whichever direction you’re…

WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR SHETLAND

Thursday, 29 July 2010 at 11:25

HEADLINES

TODAY: PATCHY DRIZZLE, BRIGHTER SPELLS
TONIGHT: CLOUDY, SOME DRIZZLE
TOMORROW: SOME BRIGHTNESS, RAIN LATER
DAYS 2-5: RAIN THEN SCATTERED SHOWERS
DAYS 6-10: CHANGEABLE

What’s on in Shetland in July 2010

What’s on in Shetland in August 2010 and on