The Shetland Islands are a lovely place to go to in Scotland year-round, with every season providing its personal distinctive experiences and in honesty, there isn’t a one “greatest” time to go to, because it actually is determined by what you’re on the lookout for.
After I visited it was the center of July, so I obtained to take pleasure in Unst Fest and a few good climate with lengthy daytime. However, I’m positive I’ll be visiting Shetland once more, and once I do, I believe it could be in January because the Up-Helly-A’ simply seems too good to overlook! However extra on that in a bit.
So with that in thoughts, let’s take a dive into just a few issues to think about that can assist you resolve what’s the greatest time to go to the Shetland Islands, however first a daring assertion …
When is one of the best time to go to the Shetland Islands?
Late June or early July is one of the best time in my view. It isn’t the primary season but, so gained’t be too busy and you could find some good worth in lodging, additionally the times are lengthy and also you’ll have a great likelihood of good climate.
So let’s take a more in-depth take a look at how I got here to that call.
Coming your approach on this put up – click on to develop ->
The Shetland Island Local weather
After all, one of many main components to think about in case you are deciding when to go to is Shetland’s climate. Effectively, on condition that it’s so far North, and an island with an oceanic local weather, regardless of while you go to, there’s a excessive likelihood of wet days. However you may go to at particular instances to make the percentages in your favour.
Right here’s a fast seasonal overview, a tough information to what you may anticipate.
| Season | When it occurs |
|---|---|
| Summer time | June to August |
| Autumn | September to November |
| Winter | December to February |
| Spring | March to Could |
Summer time
In case you are tenting, then it is best to positively attempt to stick with the summer season months.
Through the months of June – September Shetland enjoys very lengthy daytime, with sundown not occurring till after 10 pm in June and barely earlier than 8 pm by the tip of August. It is going to even be your biggest likelihood of sunshine.
The typical temperatures will typically vary from 14 – 18 levels Celsius (50 – 61 Fahrenheit), though it could possibly get above 20 Celcius (68 Fahrenheit) on the nicer days.
Nature can also be a tremendous place to go to throughout these months too, as you’ll discover one of the best situations for strolling/mountaineering, wildlife recognizing (the Shetlands are house to many native species together with otters, porpoises, seals and naturally the well-known Shetland Pony) and likewise nice situations for tenting/wildlife watching.
Though, summer season is the least windy season, regardless that some days with robust wind are nonetheless attainable.
Autumn
Summer time might finish in October, however there may be nonetheless good climate to be discovered if you happen to go in the course of the weeks round Halloween (October thirty first). Temperatures could be much like these skilled throughout summer season however are sometimes much less humid, so that you’re extra more likely to really feel the nippiness in the course of the evening.
November is usually a little bit of a combined bag with some good durations of climate, but additionally the possibility of some actually windy days – that is very true round St Andrew’s Day (November thirtieth), because it is without doubt one of the windiest instances of the yr.
Winter
The Shetland Islands expertise snowfall in winter, however they are often significantly susceptible to blizzards throughout January and February. The typical temperature in January is round 0 Celcius (32 Fahrenheit) and might hit highs of 6 Celcius (42 Fahrenheit) however the wind and above common humidity can really feel a lot colder.
Should you do resolve winter is for you, that is if you end up most certainly to expertise dangerous climate, so carrying layers and bringing a great winter coat is a should, in addition to a sturdy umbrella!
Nevertheless, the winter months are additionally while you’ll be most certainly to see some wonderful shows of the Northern Lights in Shetland – so if that is one thing that pursuits you, then visiting in January or February might be an excellent thought, simply attempt to keep away from full moons.
Spring
The primary half of spring, round late March/starting of April, is an effective time to go to if you happen to’re hoping to keep away from the winter months however don’t wish to hit peak season in summer season. It’s additionally a good time to see the tiny Shetland ponies.
The temperature is more likely to range lots, with the typical excessive being round 9 Celcius (48 Fahrenheit) however the days begin getting longer.
Whereas not frequent, snow can nonetheless seem in spring although, so be sure to all the time pack layers and be ready for something.
Shetland common temperature by month
| Month | Celcius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.1 | 39.5 |
| February | 3.8 | 38.8 |
| March | 4.6 | 40.2 |
| April | 6.1 | 43 |
| Could | 8.1 | 46.5 |
| June | 10.3 | 50.6 |
| July | 12.2 | 54 |
| August | 12.6 | 54.7 |
| September | 11.1 | 51.9 |
| October | 8.5 | 47.3 |
| November | 6.2 | 43.2 |
| December | 4.5 | 40.1 |
| 12 months | 7.7 | 46 |
Festivals and celebrations on the Shetland Islands
Apart from getting one of the best climate, one thing else to think about is if you wish to combine it with the Shetland locals in a few of their conventional festivities all year long. Here’s a fast overview of a number of the major celebrations all through the islands.
Lerwick Up-Helly-A’ and different fireplace festivals
Held on the final Tuesday in January, that is one among Europe’s largest fireplace festivals and a tremendous sight to see. Most likely the most important occasion within the Shetland Islands. Greater than a Thousand Guizers (guisers) parade by way of Lerwick with flaming torches and burn a full-sized duplicate Viking galley. The pageant concludes with Fireplace Festivities on the Conflict Memorial Park.
Take a look at the Up-Helly-A’ web site for extra info on this epic celebration.
Scalloway Fireplace Competition
One other fireplace pageant, this one celebrated in Scalloway in January, normally a few weeks earlier than the Lerwick Up-Helly-A’. It’s a smaller occasion however nonetheless attracts many guests and members.
All through the primary few months of the yr, there are lots of different smaller Up-Helly-a’ celebrations all through the islands together with Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa, Uyeasound, Norwick and extra. Test the calendar beneath for extra info.
Shetland Folks Competition
In late April and into Could the Shetland Folks Competition arrives. The annual pageant is organised by a voluntary committee and options live shows from a number of the greatest worldwide, British, and Shetland music expertise. The pageant takes place all through the isles and is a good alternative to see a number of the greatest conventional Shetland music performances.
Simmer Dim Bikers Rally
The Simmer Dim Bikers Rally is a motorbike rally that takes place yearly in Shetland, UK. The rally normally occurs across the twenty first of June and sees tons of of holiday makers come to the islands to take part within the occasion. The rally is targeted on bikes, but additionally consists of music and beer tents as a part of the festivities.
UnstFest
UnstFest on Britain’s most northerly island hosts Britain’s most northerly pageant! An entire week of enjoyable actions and occasions normally takes place in July.
Throughout my go to with my spouse, we have been in a position to take pleasure in a number of the UnstFest neighborhood actions. It was clear that the entire island buys into it and actually enjoys the celebrations. They have been capped off by a rock bagpipe live performance that was as superior because it sounded.
What actually struck me was simply how welcoming everybody was at the entire occasions. Unst was a particular place and having the ability to be there throughout UnstFest simply made it that little bit higher.
Shetland Nature Competition
Additionally in July is the Shetland Nature Competition, a celebration of the distinctive pure heritage of the Shetland Islands. The pageant takes place all through the islands, and options guided walks, household days out, night talks, and extra. The pageant is a good alternative to be taught extra in regards to the native flowers, fossils, seabirds, and seals that decision the Shetlands house.
Shetland Boat Week
In August is the Shetland Boat week, a celebration of the Shetland’s maritime heritage. The pageant options plenty of occasions and actions, together with demonstrations of conventional expertise, talks, boat journeys and excursions of vessels not usually open to the general public.
Shetland Wool Week
The Shetland Wool Week is a celebration of one of the best of Shetland’s knitters and crofters, their sheep, and the wool they produce. The pageant is a week-long occasion with plenty of occasions all through Shetland showcasing wool themed excursions, night talks, Shetland craft workshops, and extra.
The actual fact it occurs simply because the climate turns and everybody begins to understand a great woolly jumper is both a coincidence or advertising and marketing genius!
Shetland Occasions by month
Here’s a tough information in your calendar. Please keep in mind it’s based mostly on previous occasions, so there could also be some varience for particular occasions.
| Month | Actions |
|---|---|
| January | Scalloway Fireplace Competition, Lerwick Up Helly Aa, Lerwick Junior Up Helly Aa, Nesting & Girlsta Up Helly Aa |
| February | Uyeasound Up Helly Aa, Northmavine Up Helly Aa, Bressay Up Helly Aa, Cullivoe Up Helly Aa, Norwick Up Helly Aa |
| March | Partitions Junior Up Helly Aa, South Mainland Up Helly Aa, Delting Up Helly Aa, Shetland County Drama Competition, Faculties Music Competition |
| April | Shetland Folks Competition |
| Could | |
| June | Midsummer Carnival in Lerwick, Simmer Dim Rally, Bergen-Shetland Yacht Race |
| July | Shetland Nature Competition, UnstFestFolk Frenzy |
| August | Shetland Boat Week, Screenplay Movie Competition, The Shetland Agricultural Exhibits |
| September | Shetland Wool Week |
| October | The Style of Shetland Competition, The Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Competition |
| November | Wordplay Arts E book Competition, The annual Craft Truthful at Clickimin |
| December | Lerwick Winter Competition, Christmas Parade |
You’ll be able to see extra particulars on the entire occasions on the Shetland Customer web site.
How a lot it should value to go to Shetland?
The ultimate factor to cowl might be crucial a part of planning … how a lot will it value me?
First, let’s discuss seasons. As with a lot of the UK there’s a enormous quantity of seasonality in visits to the Shetland Islands with most individuals visiting within the Summer time.
As you’ll anticipate, the demand on native lodges and visitor homes does push the worth up. Nevertheless, when wanting on the common charges all year long, there may be solely a few £20-£30 distinction in common value for lodging with August statistically being the most costly month.
Clearly, in case you are tenting, that will probably be fairly a bit much less, however you’ll possible be extra restricted on the timing of your go to by the climate.
Apart from lodging, you even have the price of journey to Shetland. The choices are to both fly or hop on a ferry.
As is commonplace today with flights, demand drives the worth, in order you’d anticipate they’re costlier in the summertime, particularly as soon as the college holidays begin.
There’s additionally seasonality within the ferry costs. They provide low, mid and excessive season costs with the excessive season being about 45% greater than in off-season and mid (as you’d anticipate) someplace within the center.
For instance, if two of you journey by ferry with a automotive and a 2 berth cabin, within the off-season you may anticipate to pay round £250, however the identical within the excessive season can be £350.
Take a look at my different put up for extra info on this the place I discuss the best way to get to the Shetland Islands.
So, wrapping this part up, if cash is not any downside, it doesn’t matter an excessive amount of, however if you want to save lots of just a few ££, however nonetheless have a great likelihood of clement climate, then look to the shoulder seasons of June or late September.
Closing ideas – what’s the greatest time to go to the Shetland Islands
So with every little thing above thought of, I’m actually proud of once I visited in July and doubtless wouldn’t change it figuring out what I do know now. I actually advocate testing Unstfest and it wasn’t very busy, excellent in case you are seeking to get away from all of it.
As a second go to, I believe I’d attempt to go to in January to absorb one of many fireplace festivals and attempt to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
One factor is for positive although, I discovered The Shetland Islands to be a particular place that’s worthy of a go to any time of the yr and a spot that I do know deep inside I’ll return to sooner or later.
I hope you discovered this put up helps to plan your journey to Shetland. Should you even have any suggestions for others studying this, please drop them within the feedback, I’d like to see them.
