SHORE EXCURSIONS

Your walk will start at Victoria Pier in the heart of Lerwick, opposite the Market Cross. A leisurely stroll takes in the award winning, recently restored Tolbooth. This is now the headquarters of Lerwick's lifeboat station. You’ll see the unique 'lodberries', once used by the town merchants for the landing and storage of goods. Climbing uphill you’ll observe a traditional method of recycling in the Shetland’s, where an upturned former ferry is now the roof of a garage. You’ll pass various churches on the way to the steep, narrow, intricate web of lanes to the Town Hall, built in 1882.

On the first floor, you’ll find the Shetland's history depicted in pictorial narrative through stained glass windows. You’ll proceed to Fort Charlotte, named after Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. The fort never saw action, but it housed a garrison throughout the Napoleonic Wars; it was later a base for the Royal Naval Reserve. It also served as the town jail and courthouse from 1837-75, and later a customs house and a coastguard station. At the end of your walking tour you may wish to stay in town to explore Lerwick's variety of small independent shops, browsing for local crafts and knitwear.

Mousa Sound is one of Scotland`s most important sites for the threatened Harbor Porpoise. Locally known as `Neesicks`, the animals are present between May and September, taking advantage of the abundant food supply of sandeels, herring and mackerel. Take a scenic drive from Lerwick to the small community of Sandwick, where you’ll board the Mousa ferry. Enjoy a spectacular one hour cruise around and near the tranquil and picturesque island of Mousa, home to the world’s best preserved Iron Age Broch.

You’ll be able to catch perfect views of the Mousa Broch, a stone-built `castle` over 2,000 years old, standing 43 feet high on the island. While enjoying your cruise, you may be fortunate to spot sightings of marine mammals and other wildlife. It is one of the best locations in Shetland to watch the Grey seals as large numbers bask around the island`s shallow pools. Mousa is also famous for its abundance of breeding seabirds, including hundreds of graceful Artic Terns, Artic Skuas and their larger relatives the Great Skua. After your Mousa cruise, return to the coach for your return journey to Lerwick.