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Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland

5 (9)

Scalloway, GB

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Experience the breathtaking beauty of Shetland's south Mainland on a private guided tour filled with adventure and wonder. Begin your journey in Lerwick and venture to Scalloway, the former capital of Shetland, where you'll capture stunning views of the ancient fishing village and the iconic Scalloway Castle. Next, make a stop at Carol's Ponies and meet these charming creatures while learning about their rich history and importance in Shetland's culture. Continue your exploration at Jarlshof, an archaeological site that showcases remains dating back thousands of years. Finally, visit Sumburgh Head, home to Shetland's first lighthouse and a flourishing seabird reserve. Get up close and personal with puffins and other incredible wildlife, all while admiring the breathtaking coastal views. Don't miss the chance to capture the beauty of the Mousa Island's famous iron age Broch in a memorable photo stop. This unforgettable half-day tour promises to leave you in awe of Shetland's natural wonders.

About this experience

Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
Admission Included
4 hours 30 minutes
Suitable for 1-15 Participants
Private Tour
Guided Experience

Highlights

Private guided tour to scenic south Mainland
Visit the prehistoric settlement of Jarlshof
Close-up view of puffins and other seabirds
Opportunity to meet and photograph Shetland ponies
Photostop overlooking the iconic Mousa Island Broch

Included

Private transportation
Air-conditioned vehicle
Fuel surcharge
Parking fees
Admission to jarlshof
Services of our driver and a tour guide
Visit to carol's ponies

Not included

Lunch
Gratuities
Admission to sumburgh head lighthouse (£6 adult/ £2 child)

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Shetland's south Mainland on a half-day private tour like no other. Departing from Lerwick, this tour takes you on an unforgettable journey to explore ancient ruins, encounter adorable ponies, and witness an abundance of seabirds at Sumburgh Head. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you'll discover the hidden gems and rich history of this captivating region.

What to expect?

Prepare yourself for an adventure filled with awe-inspiring sights and unique experiences. In just 270 minutes, you will embark on a carefully designed itinerary that showcases the very best of Shetland's south Mainland. From the historic fishing village of Scalloway and the majestic Scalloway Castle to the scenic cliffs of Sumburgh Head, each stop will leave you mesmerized by the natural beauty and ancient wonders of these lands. Get up close with Shetland ponies at Carol's Ponies and learn about their fascinating history. Explore the extraordinary prehistoric settlement of Jarlshof, where remnants dating back to 2500 BC await your discovery. Finally, at Sumburgh Head, prepare to be enthralled by the sight of hundreds of puffins in their natural habitat, as well as a variety of other seabirds. Don't forget to keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, and seals!

Who is this for?

This private tour is perfect for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking an unforgettable experience in Shetland. Whether you're a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family looking for a unique adventure, this tour caters to all. Children will delight in meeting the adorable Shetland ponies at Carol's Ponies, while history buffs will be captivated by the centuries-old ruins at Jarlshof. Wildlife enthusiasts will be in awe of the diverse birdlife at Sumburgh Head. The tour is designed to be accessible for all ages and fitness levels, ensuring that everyone can immerse themselves in the magic of Shetland's south Mainland.

Why book this?

With its carefully crafted itinerary and expert local guide, this private tour offers a truly immersive experience of Shetland's south Mainland. By choosing this tour, you'll have the opportunity to explore ancient ruins, encounter adorable ponies, and witness an abundance of seabirds in their natural habitat. Unlike other tours, this experience allows for a personalized and intimate encounter with the beauty and history of Shetland. Learn fascinating stories and insights from your knowledgeable guide, who will ensure that your journey is both educational and entertaining. The memories you make on this tour will last a lifetime, leaving you with a deep appreciation for the wonders of Shetland.

Good to know

During the tour, you'll have ample opportunities for photos, so don't forget to bring your camera or smartphone to capture the incredible scenery and encounters with the ponies and puffins. Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers, as the weather can be unpredictable in Shetland. Be sure to also bring some local currency for any purchases you might want to make, such as entrance to the lighthouse at Sumburgh Head. Rest assured that the tour guides are experienced and committed to your safety and enjoyment throughout the journey. Reviews Travelers who have experienced this tour have praised it for its well-planned itinerary, knowledgeable guides, and the chance to see puffins up close. They were amazed by the beauty of the scenery and the rich history that unfolded at each stop. The encounter with the Shetland ponies was a highlight for many, who found it to be an unforgettable and heartwarming experience. The tour has received glowing reviews for its seamless organization and the friendly and professional attitude of the guides. One traveler mentioned that this tour exceeded their expectations and was the highlight of their trip to Shetland.

About this product

How long before the event do I need to book?

You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

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Your Itinerary

Scalloway

Travel time from Lerwick- 15 minutes. We start with a short photo stop at a viewpoint overlooking the ancient fishing village of Scalloway before continuing into the village for a photostop at Scalloway Castle (exterior only) and the Shetland Bus Memorial.

Scalloway

Travel time from Scalloway- 5 minutes. We stop at Carol’s Ponies, you have a chance to meet, learn about and photograph these wonderful animals. Originating in Shetland the breed was a packing pony and are now found all over the world, used as popular riding ponies for children and a companion to horses. Carol the stud owner will explain all in her talk about these beautiful creatures, remember they have teeth and may assume fingers for carrots! So please do not feed the ponies

Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement

Travel time from Carol's Ponies- 45 minutes. Jarlshof is the best-known prehistoric archaeological site in Shetland. It has been described as "one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles". It contains remains dating from 2500 BC up to the 17th century AD.

Admission Included

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

Travel time from Jarlshof- 5 minutes. Sumburgh head is home toShetland’s first lighthouse and a RSPB reserve of mostly seabirds breeding in the cliffs. If you're lucky, you will witness hundreds of puffins close up as well as other birds through most of the Spring and Summer. Looking down to the sea you see dolphins, mink and humpback whales, grey seals and porpoises.* Entrance to the lighthouse is not included but can be purchased on site. There is a cafe and toilet facilities are available. *As with any wildlife, there is never any guarantee that you will see any specific species on the day of your visit!

Admission Not Included

Mousa Iron Age Broch

(Pass by)

Travel time from Sumburgh- 30 minutes. Photostop in Sandwick overlooking the Island of Mousa with it's iconic iron age Broch, said to be the best preserved in Scotland.

Additional information

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Participants should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for travelers with walking dificulties

Reviews

(9)

5 (9)

Marvin_H

Both Neville, our guide, and Sonya, our driver, were spectacular. Both were knowledgeable and very responsive to our needs! Highly recommended.

James_M

Our guide was excellent, as was our driver. They were obviously proud of their island and anxious to show it to us. They added a few stops to make sure we got as much out of our tour as possible. Excellent job.

Julie_L

This was the best experience in Shetland! Our guide, Julie and our driver, Brydone were amazing!!! Julie shared the history of the island and the pride she has in her island is evident. Our group loved the personal attention from this private tour. Being able to ask questions and not feel rushed made it even better. We went to a private farm where Carol shared about Shetland ponies. We were able to pet them. Jarlshof was amazing! Seeing ruins from the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Nordic times was inspiring. Julie explained so much about the history, the importance of these findings and even why they are so well preserved. Highly recommend. The lighthouse was amazing, but the best part was seeing the Puffins. Julie then also took us to a beach in Shetland that was so spectacular. We also saw seals. The tour company was so responsive to questions prior to booking and right before we were picked up. This was perfect for our group of 6, and recommend them if you are in Shetland.

Carl_M

Hilary and Shirley were fantastic hosts during our tour. Both very friendly and made us feel very welcome indeed. The information and commentary was very interesting and they both made sure that we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The minibus was very spacious and driven very well by Hilary. Shirley entertained us with her Fiddle playing and poem reciting in Shetland language. We saw loads of Puffins, Gannets and Razor Bill's amongst others. Carols talk about her Shetland Ponies was very informative and interesting. At no stage did we feel rushed and I will certainly be recommending the tour to our friends. Thank you for a great tour Carl & Lara

gnapfam

Shirley was a great guide, knew and shared everything the whole time. She played her fiddle on the way back which tied it all together. Great excursion. The title is exactly what we got.

Karleen_M

Paul was an excellent guide. He answered all our questions, explained everything, and showed us all we wanted and then some bonus sites.

DQOT

We took this private tour in Shetland rather than any of the ones offered by the cruise line. As a fan of the TV series Shetland, I wanted to see locations used in the series. Our driver was early, so before we met our guide, he took us to one of the most iconic locations, the Lodberrie, home to the main character. once we met our guide, we had a beautiful day, visiting the ponies, searching for puffins on the cliffs at the lighthouse and learning about the Shetland Buses from WWII. It was a spectacular day and one of the main highlights of our cruise.

Mark_M

Last week, 6 of us took this private tour from the cruise port at Lerwick. Edna was our guide for the day and she was an enchanting and fantastic guide. She is a native Shetlander and knows everyone and everything about it and it’s history. She shared so many captivating stories, many of which involved her family. What a tremendous day to see the Shetland Islands!! The only area that could have been improved was they didn’t have a microphone for her and it was difficult to hear in the back seat of the minivan while driving. Overall, we had such an enjoyable day with her and really loved this tour!!!

Catherine_K

Excellent tour Danny was knowledgeable, kind and a true Shetland expert! We covered most of the island in just 5 hours.

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2024-07-01 05:15