About Shetland
Shetland is a well known name throught the world and much of this can be attributed to the popularity of Shelties and Shetland Ponies.
Despite this, many people do not know very much about the Shetland Islands.
On this page we provide some facts about Shetland, and we offer links to other sites that may be of interest to you.
Shetland’s Location — Some Facts
- Shetland is the most northerly part of the British Isles 340km (211 miles) from Aberdeen, and only slightly further than this from Bergen in Norway and Torshavn in the Faroe Islands. View a Google Map of Shetland here.
- Shetland lies at the ‘crossroads of the North Sea’ at the centre of major fishing grounds, oil reserves and trading routes.
A Land of a Hundred Islands
- Shetland is made up of over 100 islands which lie close together in an elongated group running broadly from north to south.
- The total land area is 1468 square kilometers (567 square miles).
Geology
- Shetland’s geology is very complex. Known locally as the ‘Auld Rock’, Shetland indeed consists of some of Scotland’s oldest rocks. The 100 or so islands consist partly of ancient metamorphic rocks, mainly of sedimentary origin, and partly of sedimentary and volcanic rocks of Old Red Sandstone. Shetland’s geology is particularly diverse because of movement along major faults. Shaped also by rivers, glaciers and the sea, Shetland is a fascinating location for geological study. Learn more from ShetlandGeology.com
Climate
- Although Shetland lies on the same latitude as southern Greenland and Alaska the climate is much milder than may be expected due to the insulating effect of the surrounding seas and the warming oceanic current known as the Gulf Stream.
- Shetland’s high latitude means that in mid-summer the sun does not set for long enough for darkness to fall: calm, clear days at this time of year highlight the beauty of the landscape and provide the possibility of round-the-clock outdoor activity.
- The spectacular Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are visible from Shetland during the winter months.
Nature & Wildlife
- Shetland is home to a wealth of wildlife. The more noticeable animals which share the island are seals, cetaceans, otters, birds and a wide diversity of flora and fauna.
Bird Life
- In summer, thousands of sea-birds nest and breed in huge colonies on the sea cliffs. Numerous species of ‘land’ birds native to the islands can also be seen, and many migrants choose Shetland as a seasonal home.
Marine Life
- The seas surrounding Shetland are abundant with life, including whales, dolphins, sharks and other mammals. Around the coast, otters and seals can often be seen
More Information About Shetland
More information about Shetland can be seen by visiting Shetland.org