TOUR TO SHETLAND 8 TH - 12 TH OCTOBER 2018

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1 TOUR TO SHETLAND 8 TH - 12 TH OCTOBER 2018 The Shetland Islands are an archipelago over 100 miles north of the tip of Scotland with a history which can be traced back to 2000 years BC. The islands, once owned by Norway, became part of Scotland in the 15th Century, and geographically it is closer to Norway than it is to Aberdeen and is as far from London as Milan. Despite its remoteness from the mainland of Scotland, the islands have a vibrant economy which is led by the seafood industry, worth 300 million to the local economy. With both a deep sea and a local inshore industry, a wide range of fish are landed. Add to that salmon, mussel and shellfish farming and the scale of production can be understood. Oil is a booming industry but its offshore location reduces the impact of activity on the local landscape. The third most important industry is agriculture, with livestock the most significant sector. Excellent grazing provide for sheep, beef and dairy operations, and the Shetland pony continues to thrive. There has been a renaissance in the Shetland wool industry and increasing numbers of creative companies are enjoying growth. Our tour includes technical visits to a range of beef, dairy and sheep farms (including organic beef), livestock mart, the abattoir, Lerwick Fish Market, the Shetland wool industry and a Shetland pony breeder. In addition we shall see and trace the history of farming through crofting and take in the sea bird population at the RSPB Reserve at Sumburgh Head. With a mild climate these peaceful islands offer an amazing and unique experience.

2 Shetland Country Information The Country 100 or so Islands make up Shetland are and formed by a range of ancient hills standing on the continental shelf. They were partly drowned when the sea level rose 400 feet at the end of the last glaciation. Fewer than 20 of the islands are inhabited. The largest island is Mainland which is 351 square miles, located 598 miles north of London and just 400 miles south of the Arctic Circle. The Agriculture Although fish and oil generate the most income in Shetland, there are sizeable contributions from livestock rearing, knitwear and more. Shetland is perfect or sheep rearing and is the dominant agricultural activity where the hardy local breed lives on the gill all year round, thank s to their fine and soft wool. There is also herds of dairy and beef cattle and most of the milk is used by the islanders in their homes and businesse to produce butter, yoghurt, ice cream and cheese. In addition, the island grow potatoes, carrots, cabbage, kale, rhubarb ad more however most fruit and other vegetables are imported. The Weather Shetland doesn't experience extreme temperatures. On average, August is the warmest month with a daily average maximum of 15 C and the coldest month is February with an average maximum of 5.4 C. The People The population of the Shetland Islands is around 22,210. The Shetland Islands have an extensive history and a great deal of work has gone into preserving and reviving their cultural heritage. They are not too far from Norway so you would see a Scandinavian influence and of course the Viking culture. Web reference:

3 TOUR ITINERARY Day 1 Monday 8th October 2018 Individual arrivals at Sumburgh airport on the Shetland Islands by lunchtime. Meet your tour manager, local guide and coach. Depart to the nearby cliffs of Sumburgh Head and the RSPB site, from the viewing platforms you can see a variety of sea-birds that nest here. Watch out for the chance to see whales and dolphins passing through. The Head is dominated by the lighthouse, built by the Stevenson family and commissioned in Visit a dairy and sheep farm, then move on to the Quendale Mill, a 19 th Century restored water mill with a farming exhibition. Depart to Lerwick to check in for your 4 night stay. Dinner and overnight. (--D) Day 2 Tuesday 9th October 2018 Breakfast. Visit the livestock mart and the abattoir, escorted by the Chairman of the Shetland Livestock Marketing Group. Visit a 675 ha organic hill farm producing Shetland wool, meat and yarn from native breeds. Lunch at a local hotel. Visit a croft, which is part of a crofting trail, based on the Island of Trondra to see a traditional farming operation based on native breeds. Return to Lerwick via the Tingwall Valley. Evening at leisure. (BL-) Day 3 Wednesday 10th October 2018 Visit the Lerwick Fish Market to see the sales of caught fish. The market has a state of the art electronic bidding system that allows buyers from all over the world to compete for fish landed on the Lerwick quays. The fishing industry is a key part of the Shetland economy representing a total value of 300 million. The market deals with fish landings from both local Shetland boats and those of mainland UK. Visit the Jamieson & Smith Wool Brokers, a co-operative of Shetland wool producers that promote the use of Shetland wool yarns and fibres with selected Knitwear companies and independent designers. The visit includes an explanation of the industry and a look at the collection that showcases the product. Lunch at the Lerwick museum cafe. Depart south to Scalloway to see the castle and learn more about the Shetland Bus. This was a clandestine operation run by the Norwegians during WWII in small boats. Depart to Nesting and visit a Shetland pony and Highland Cattle breeder. Return to Lerwick for evening at leisure. (BL-) Day 4 Thursday 11th October 2018 (B-D) Breakfast. Depart to Sandness to visit the Jamieson s Spinning Mill to see the process of converting wool into yarns and the final Shetland wool products. Depart to North Mainland and Eshaness. En-route stop at Mavis Grind where a narrow stretch of land that the main road runs alongside, separates the Atlantic Ocean from the North Sea. Visit to Eshaness cliffs for one of the most spectacular views that Shetland offers. Lunch at own expense en-route. Bus tour of the area including Ronas Voe & Ollaberry and Sullom Voe, where the oil terminal is located. Farewell dinner in hotel. Day 5 Friday 12th October 2018 Breakfast. Visit to the Dunross Croft House Museum, which has been restored to the exact style of a family living a crofter s life in the 1800 s. Lunch at own expense. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the mainland. (B--) End of Tour Arrangements (Meal basis: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

4 This tour does not include the return flight to Shetland to allow you the choice of your nearest airport. Field Farm Tours can assist with the purchase of flights or clients can book their own. Booking of flights before the minimum number of travellers is achieved is not recommended. Tour Cost: Based on a minimum of 4 travellers per person (excluding return flight to Sumburgh) (sharing a twin/double room) Single Supplement Tour Includes: 4 nights in a 3* hotel in Lerwick Meals as indicated B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner. Private Coach Transportation Tour guide with agricultural background Technical & touristic visits as stated, subject to local conditions at the time of travel (weather, crops etc) Tour Excludes: Return flight to Shetland Travel to/from airport Meals other than stated Travel Insurance - you need to be insured to travel with Field Farm Tours Ltd. Gratuities Drinks / Personal items Other Info: Passports are not required to fly to Shetland but a form of photographic ID will be necessary to check in with the airline. The Shetlands fall under the UK National Health Service for medical requirements. To secure a place on this tour, please complete a booking form enclosed and return with your deposit of per person. Notes: The itinerary is subject to change without notice (local conditions, availability of visits at the time of travel, etc) and to terms and conditions as per the Company s booking conditions. The air holiday package in this brochure is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL Please see our booking conditions for more information.

5 OTHER FORTHCOMING TOURS ISLE OF MAN - MAY 2018 VIETNAM - OCTOBER 2018 CHINA - OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 CUBA - NOVEMBER 2018 WINTER GATHERING - DECEMBER 2018 FIELD FARM TOURS LTD FIELD HOUSE, 3 STEPHENSON COURT, STEPHENSON WAY, NEWARK, NOTTS, NG24 2TQ Tel no: Fax no: info@fieldfarmtours.co.uk