Shetland Islands
North Sea archipelago
The Shetland Islands are an archipelago in the North Atlantic, the northernmost part of Scotland and the United Kingdom.
Located roughly equidistant from Norway and mainland Scotland, the islands are known for harsh weather, stark landscapes, and distinctive breeds like the Shetland pony and Shetland sheepdog.
Often shortened to Shetland: We're taking the ferry to Shetland.
Stocky seabirds, bright bills
- sealsAquatic whiskered mammals
- ottersSemiaquatic weasel relatives
- orcasLarge predatory dolphins
- porpoisesSmall toothed oceanic mammals
fulmars · guillemots · arctic terns · gannets · birdwatching · marine life · grey seals
Steep natural rock walls
- moorlandOpen uncultivated upland
- wind-sweptExposed to strong currents
- rockyCovered with stones
- craggyRough with rocky projections
heathland · peaty · ness · geo · tombolo · sea stacks · coastal erosion · treeless
Scottish tenant farming
- tweedTextured woolen cloth
- fiddleAdjust restlessly; folk violin
- peatWaterlogged decomposed vegetation
- dialectRegional language variety
folklore · knitting · guiser · storytelling · traditional music
Catching aquatic creatures
- seafaringTraveling by ocean vessel
- shipwreckDestroyed vessel at sea
- harborSafe anchorage for ships
- lighthouseCoastal beacon tower
ferries · trawlers · oil terminal · lifeboat · pier · boatbuilding · smoked fish · fish processing
Medieval Scandinavian seafarers
- jarlNorse regional chieftain
- longshipSlender Norse rowing vessel
- ScandinaviaNordic countries collectively
- settlementsEstablished communities or agreements
skald · sagas · Thing · Viking graves
Complete separation from others
- far-flungScattered over vast areas
- northernmostFarthest toward the pole
- small communityFew people living together
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
close-knit · resilient · outpost · long winters · midnight sun
puffins
Stocky seabirds, bright bills
porpoises · fulmars · guillemots · arctic terns · gannets · birdwatching · marine life · grey seals
cliffs
Steep natural rock walls
- moorlandOpen uncultivated upland
- wind-sweptExposed to strong currents
- rockyCovered with stones
craggy · heathland · peaty · ness · geo · tombolo · sea stacks · coastal erosion · treeless · bogland
crofting
Scottish tenant farming
dialect · folklore · knitting · guiser · storytelling · traditional music
fishing
Catching aquatic creatures
lighthouse · ferries · trawlers · oil terminal · lifeboat · pier · boatbuilding · smoked fish · fish processing · North Sea
Vikings
Medieval Scandinavian seafarers
- jarlNorse regional chieftain
- longshipSlender Norse rowing vessel
- ScandinaviaNordic countries collectively
settlements · skald · sagas · Thing · Viking graves
isolation
Complete separation from others
- far-flungScattered over vast areas
- northernmostFarthest toward the pole
- small communityFew people living together
self-sufficiency · close-knit · resilient · outpost · long winters · midnight sun
- islandsisle, isles, islet, islets, atoll
- ScotlandGlasgow, Edinburgh, Highlands, whisky, bagpipes
- British IslesEngland, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland
- Atlantic IslandsAzores, Bermuda, Madeira, Cape Verde, Iceland
- North Seaoffshore drilling, oil platforms, oil platform, offshore wind farms, wind farms
- Scottish Coastsea cliffs, firths, rocky shores, coves, Atlantic coast
Shetland IslandsOrkneys
Scottish island group
London · Hebrides · Channel Islands · Isle of Wight · Edinburgh
Shetland IslandsMediterranean
Sea between Europe, Africa, Asia
Canary Islands · Gibraltar · Caribbean · tropics · Balearic Islands
Shetland IslandsChannel Islands
Archipelago between England and France
Isle of Wight · Cornwall · Kent · Gibraltar · Falkland Islands