You can fly to Sumburgh with Loganair from either Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow, and the trip takes between 1-2 hours. Alternatively, the NorthLink ferry leaves Aberdeen daily in the early evening and arrives in Lerwick at 7.30am.
We recommend you book as early as possible as capacity is limited, the same goes for accommodation and car hire.
Visit www.loganair.co.uk, www.northlinkferries.co.uk and www.shetland.org all of which provide useful information.
The Shetland Family History Society office is in Lerwick and we are usually open 2pm-4pm Monday to Friday, and we are easy to find.
Travel
It takes longer to drive around Shetland than people imagine. Our roads are not busy and are well maintained but we have many single-track roads so it is best to leave plenty of time to get around and visit everything that you want to see.
Most populated outer islands have a ‘roll on roll off’ car and passenger ferry that needs to be booked during the summer months (01595 745804).
Bus services are limited, and for most visitors a car is necessary. Bolts Car Hire is a local firm which advertises in our quarterly journal and has reasonable rates.
The Shetland Tourist Office is in the centre of Commercial Street, Lerwick, and is a good starting point for more information including details of other car hire firms. The Shetland Museum is open all year round, but many smaller places are only open from April to September.
Shetland Family History Society can carry out some research ahead of any planned visits and we hope to be able to provide you with valuable information about your family. Send us any details before your visit. We occasionally can put you in touch with cousins, but this will need a little time to comply with data protection (and if they are home!)
Weather
This is very difficult to describe in a sentence as it is very changeable. Bring waterproof clothes and layers! A visit in the midsummer can be magical with the very light nights of "da simmer dim" – as this gallery shows. Winters are not especially cold but very windy! Visit shetland.org/winter to learn more.
