Scotland's Shetland Islands

On Days 3 & 5 we are going to take coastal paths and hike between 5-8 kilometres/3-5 miles. Hikes are not demanding and follow established paths, but you will need a basic level of fitness and reasonably sturdy footwear to fully enjoy them.

Scotland can be cold at night throughout the year, especially at the start and end of the season. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions, including base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, waterproof clothes/umbrella and anything else that you think may be applicable

1. The journey from Aberdeen to Shetland and vice versa is long (12.5 hours), involving an overnight ferry and taxis. This trip starts in Aberdeen in late afternoon (3.30pm in the waiting room at Aberdeen Ferry Terminal). The trip finishes in Aberdeen around 7am in the morning of Day 6, after the overnight ferry from Lerwick.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights in Lerwick, but not to overnight ferry nights, where single cabins are unavailable. Single supplement is also subject to limited availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. There is a separate optional upgrade (on request and subject to limited availability) for a two berth outside cabin on the ferry

PACKING
On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips. You can find Intrepid's Ultimate Packing List on our website. It should be used as a guide only and isn't intended to be a complete packing list., https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, TRAVELLING ON LOCAL TRANSPORT
It's important that your bags can be locked, as on local transport it may be necessary that your luggage gets stowed separately (and unattended). The smaller your bag the better for you and other passengers. To ensure maximum comfort, try to pack small and light., WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. Your group leader or local representative will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination and if it is you can simply refill with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water it is better to buy the largest available and distribute into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you., WHITE NIGHTS
The closer you travel to the second half of June, the shorter the nights are in this part of the world. As many of our accommodations may not have suitable curtains to block out light you may want to consider bringing an eye-mask, especially if you are a light sleeper. Similarly, in winter months, especially in Highland and Island areas, the days are shorter, and it gets dark early. This can impact the availability of certain views and outdoor activities.

CLOTHING & CLIMATE
Scotland experiences a temperate climate, with average temperatures ranging from approximately 2°C to 20°C (36°F to 68°F) throughout the year. Winters tend to be cooler, while summers are relatively mild, making it an excellent destination for exploration at any time of the year. Due to Scotland's renowned weather unpredictability, layering your clothing is the smartest choice.

It's advisable to pack a warm layer, such as a jumper or fleece, along with a waterproof jacket, a hat, and waterproof footwear. Regardless of the season, evenings, especially in rural areas, can become quite chilly. Therefore, we recommend bringing a warm jacket or fleece and comfortable walking socks.

Keep in mind that when traveling to remote locations in Scotland, there may be limited access to stores, so it's essential to pack accordingly. If you have the opportunity while visiting larger towns or cities, consider shopping for any additional items you may need.

This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Some trips may have individual inclusions that may be of a higher physical rating compared to the overall rating of the trip. Please read the day-to-day itinerary carefully to find out more details on each day's activities, and whether they are suitable for you. Activities can be opted out of if you don't want to participate.

Aberdeen Ferry Terminal, Jamieson’s Quay, Aberdeen, AB11 5NP, UNITED KINGDOM

Alternate Joining Point

Aberdeen Ferry Terminal is located within the historic city of Aberdeen on the North East coast of Scotland. The port is a very convenient port of departure, being located just 125 miles from Edinburgh and 145 miles from Glasgow. Aberdeen is served well by all forms of public transport.
Bus
Aberdeen Bus Station is located less than one mile from the ferry terminal. Local bus services are operated by First Aberdeen and longer distance services are operated by Citylink and Megabus.
Train
Aberdeen Railway Station is located less than one mile from the ferry terminal. There are regular services to/from Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow with onward connections
Airport
Aberdeen Airport is located 7 miles f

Aberdeen, , Aberdeen, UNITED KINGDOM

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 3

Lunches included: 

Dinners included: 

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

BREAKFASTS
There are some continental breakfasts included on this trip which may simply include bread/toast or pastries, butter, jam, coffee/tea/juice (or similar).

The average temperatures in Scotland vary depending on the season and location within the country. Here's a general overview:

Spring (March to May):
Average High: 8°C to 14°C (46°F to 57°F)
Average Low: 2°C to 7°C (36°F to 45°F)

Summer (June to August):
Average High: 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F)
Average Low: 8°C to 12°C (46°F to 54°F)

Autumn (September to November):
Average High: 13°C to 18°C (55°F to 64°F)
Average Low: 6°C to 10°C (43°F to 50°F)

Winter (December to February):
Average High: 4°C to 7°C (39°F to 45°F)
Average Low: 0°C to 2°C (32°F to 36°F)

Please note that these are approximate averages, and temperatures can vary across different regions of Scotland. Coastal areas tend to have milder inters, while inland and mountainous regions can experience colder temperatures, especially in the winter months. Additionally, Scotland's weather is known for its unpredictability, so it's advisable to check the forecast before your visit and be prepared for varying conditions.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

If you have booked an arrival transfer, and you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly on the number listed in the joining point instructions in the section above.

Intrepid local operator : Available for phone call on +44 (0)1479 420 020 or +44 (0)7766 794 640

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

TRANSPORT
One of the highlights of this trip is our use of a combination of public and private transportation. Public transport is not only a cost-effective way to travel but also provides a unique glimpse into Scottish life as we traverse picturesque landscapes. Private vehicles, on the other hand, allow us to make frequent stops at intriguing points of interest that may not be reachable via public transport. Need a taxi, no problem, please speak to your group leader should you require a taxi outside of what is included. We believe that this blend of travel options is the ideal approach for exploring Scotland as a group.