Shetland Islands: Getting there & around

Unlike Orkney, Shetland is relatively expensive to get to from mainland Scotland. The oil industry ensures that air connections are good. The main airport is at Sumburgh, 40km (25mi) south of Lerwick. Flights can be booked on the Internet; fares fluctuate according to departure date and times. There are three to five flights daily between Sumburgh and Aberdeen (1hr) with British Airways (tel: 0845 773 3377; www.britishairways.com). BA flies daily between Orkney and Shetland too (35min). You can also fly direct from Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Northlink Ferries (tel: 0845 6000 449; www.northlinkferries.co.uk) runs car ferries between Lerwick and Kirkwall in Orkney. Northlink also operates overnight car ferries from Aberdeen to Lerwick (12-14hr) departing Aberdeen morning and night. Ferries also link Lerwick, Torshavn (Faroe Islands) and Bergen (Norway).

If the weather's fine, cycling on the islands' excellent roads can be an exhilarating way to experience the stark beauty of Shetland. It can, however, be very windy (wind speeds of up to 312kph - 194mph - have been recorded!) and there are few places to shelter. Bike hire is available in Lerwick.

The wide roads seem more like motorways after Orkney's tiny, winding lanes. Remember the golden rule when driving: give passing cars a wave. Car rental is cheaper in Lerwick than at the airport.

There are several public bus operators. Call for detailed information on services (tel: 01595 694100).

The Shetland Transport Timetable , is an invaluable publication listing all local air, sea and bus services; it's available from the TIC.