DAY ONE: EDINBURGH TO ABERDEEN

Leaving our capital city of Edinburgh we stop to view the Forth Bridge, opened in 1890 for the passage of trains heading north. We then travel on through the Kingdom of Fife with its stunning coastal scenery before stopping at the ancient university town of St Andrews. Known as the Home of Golf, the town also boasts the magnificent ruins of a 12^th-century Cathedral. We then travel on to Aberdeen via Dunottar Castle, perched dramatically on the edge of the North Sea, and board the ferry for the overnight journey to the Shetland Islands. (Overnight: Ferry)

DAY TWO: LERWICK

After sailing into Lerwick we spend the morning enjoying the main town of Shetland including a visit to Clickimin Broch. After a visit to Scalloway Castle, we spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the islands of Burra and Trondra and the stunning Meal Beach before we return for a night out in the Shetland capital!  (Overnight: Lerwick)

DAY THREE: LERWICK

After a leisurely start to the day we will make our way to the stunning beach at St Ninians’s Isle. We then visit Jarslhoff, one of Scotland's finest prehistoric sites, before moving on to the stunning cliffs and sea views at Sumburgh in the far south of the island. We return to Lerwick to prepare for the main event with some celebrations in town with the locals. (Overnight: Lerwick)

DAY FOUR: LERWICK

The big day! You get to watch the junior Jarl Squad (young Vikings) have their own parade before the main event. Vikings make their way through the streets culminating in the ceremonial burning of a full-size replica Viking Long Ship. Your Guide will be available throughout the day to make sure you don’t miss any of the world-famous festival. (Overnight: Lerwick) 

DAY FIVE:  LERWICK

After all the excitement of Up Helly Aa you will have the chance to delve into loads of other interesting things that Lerwick has to offer. Your guide will take you on a walking tour of Lerwick where you will have a chance to visit Fort Charlotte and some of the sights in the popular drama series ‘Shetland’. Your walking tour will end at the Shetland Museum where you will have loads of free time to look into the history of Shetland. (Overnight: Ferry)

DAY SIX: LERWICK TO ABERDEEN

Our final day on Shetland will take us to Tingwall, site of the ancient capital of Shetland. We then visit the peninsula of Lunna. This stunning area was base for the clandestine World War 2 operation, the Shetland Bus which used fishing boats to smuggle spies, saboteurs, radios, ammunition and explosives into Norway. We will then head to Eshaness, known as the wild west of Shetland. This area has some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Shetland. (Overnight: Ferry)

DAY SEVEN: ABERDEEN TO EDINBURGH

We make our way through Royal Deeside and pass Crathie Kirk where the Royal Family worships when at their Highland residence. We also visit the resting place of John Brown, ghillie to Queen Victoria and made famous in the movie Mrs. Brown starring Billy Connolly, and have ample time to visit Braemar for lunch.  Our return journey takes us through the Cairngorms National Park and Royal Braemar before arriving back in Edinburgh in the early evening.

THE WORLD-FAMOUS TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION

Around one thousand torch-bearing guizers in full Viking uniform march through the streets with the Galley past the spectators. The town is in darkness as the streetlights are switched off, the red glow at ‘light up’ is truly a phenomenal sight.

Departure and drop off point

Edinburgh Bus Station (inside, Gate J*)
St. Andrew Square 
Edinburgh
Scotland
EH1 3DQ  

See Map

PLEASE NOTE: from 5 February 2024, we will no longer depart from Edinburgh Bus Station. Our departure point will be from a city centre location. We will contact you via email and confirm the new departure point before your tour.

*departure gate subject to change. Please refer to the departure screens inside Edinburgh Bus Station for gate info. Check-in staff will be wearing high vis vests to greet you.
Edinburgh Bus Station can be accessed through two entrances: St Andrew Square and Elder Street. Please refer to the image below.

Departure Time

Tour departs at 08.00am.

Return Time

Tour returns at approximately 05.30pm.

Accommodation is included in the price of your trip. 

Two nights in a twin berth on the ferry and 3 nights in a local 3* Shetland Hotel (twin/double room). 

ACCESSIBILITY & FACILITIES 
For more information, see our Accessibility Statement under ‘Essential Info’.