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Shetland

Where Britain Meets the Arctic

Shetland, lying closer to Bergen than to Edinburgh, is Britain's most northerly inhabited archipelago — 100 islands of dramatic moorland, Viking heritage, and some of the world's finest coastal wildlife including puffins, orcas, and red-necked phalaropes.

Film & Television

Shetland on Screen

Shetland achieved global recognition through the BBC drama Shetland (based on Ann Cleeves' novels), bringing international attention to the islands' dramatically austere beauty. The islands have since hosted numerous productions seeking that unique quality of northern light and treeless, wind-blasted landscape.

Key Locations

  • Lerwick old town & waterfront
  • Mousa Broch (Iron Age tower)
  • Hermaness NNR (puffin colonies & cliffs)
  • Jarlshof (archaeological site spanning 4000 years)
  • Sumburgh Head lighthouse
  • Noss National Nature Reserve
  • Unst — Britain's most northerly isle

Facilities & Logistics

Sumburgh Airport (Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Bergen connections). NorthLink ferry from Aberdeen (12-14hrs). Lerwick offers good accommodation base. Shetland specifically has film-experienced council liaison.

Key Contacts & Bodies

Shetland Islands Council (filming liaison), NatureScot (Hermaness, Noss), Shetland Heritage Association, Shetland Arts.

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Other Highland Regions

Inverness & Central Highlands Cairngorms National Park Isle of Skye & Lochalsh Ross-shire & The Black Isle Sutherland Caithness & John O'Groats Argyll & Bute Western Isles — Outer Hebrides Orkney Moray & Speyside Lochaber & Fort William