Although apparently isolated and far away, Shetland is in fact very well served by transport links, both by air and sea. There are good connections by air from four major airports in Scotland, while land travel to Aberdeen is facilitated by good roads as well as bus and rail services.

Contrary to the advice given by some travel agents, no passport is needed by UK citizens, prices are reasonable, and there are a variety of services. Nor is it necessary to go to the lengths that some travellers in the 1830's had to. After a long coach journey to Peterhead they found that their smack had lost its sails and rigging in a storm. In all it took them over 2 two weeks to get to Shetland!

AIR   British Airways operate several flights per day into Sumburgh Airport, some of which are operated by British Airways Express (Loganair). There are flights every day from Aberdeen and Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow. www.ba.com

Details of all flights are available by telephoning British Airways central reservation and inquiries on Tel 0345 222111.

SEA   The main ferry operator since October 2002 is Northlink Orkney & Shetland Ferries Ltd who operate the Hrossey and the Hjaltland which run between Aberdeen, Stromness and Lerwick. These vessels provides daily service to and from Shetland and Aberdeen, and call in to Kirkwall three times per week in both directions. Northlink also operate the Hamnavoe between Scrabster in Caithness and Stromness in Orkney. Tel: 01856 851144 Fax: 01856 851155 email: info@northlinkferries.co.uk