your ultimate resource for planning an unforgettable Shetland trip

Shetland: YOUR ESSENTIAL TRAVEL GUIDE

An exciting new guidebook, celebrating Shetland’s beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Created by the travel writer and Shetlander Laurie Goodlad and the Shetland publisher Misa Hay, two passionate advocates for the islands’ unique charm, this guidebook is an invitation to experience the soul of Shetland, the most northerly islands in the UK.

This book is designed to keep you exploring and to encourage you to see, feel, and engage with the place more deeply

Crafted for explorers who thrive on seeking out the hidden, who are not content with skimming the surface but who yearn to delve into the heart of their destination.

It is for those who seek to understand the soul of a place, its people, and its past and present. In these pages, you’ll find not just routes and directions, but pathways to essential experiences that many travellers miss – those that truly encapsulate the spirit of Shetland.

“We have carefully curated hidden gems and lesser-known tales that highlight the richness of Shetland.”

A Love Letter to Shetland

Months on, we still see this book as exactly what we intended it to be: a love letter to Shetland. It’s not just about where to go and what to see (though it covers all of that, including why you definitely shouldn’t bother packing an umbrella). It’s about the feeling of Shetland—the wild, wind-whipped winters and the long, golden summer nights, the warmth of its communities, the stories woven into its land and sea.

It’s also a reminder of what happens when you take a chance on something you believe in. This book grew beyond what we first imagined, and seeing it in the hands of readers around the world has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our careers.

So today, I just want to take a moment to say thank you—to everyone who has supported this book, shared their feedback, and helped spread the word. If you’ve read it, we’d love to hear what you think. What’s your favourite part? Where has it inspired you to go? What else would you include?

And if you haven’t picked up a copy yet, and you’re hoping for a Shetland adventure, now is the perfect time. Whether you’re planning a trip or just dreaming of one, Shetland: Your Essential Travel Guide is here to take you on a journey.

SHETLAND: Your Essential Travel Guide offers an authentic, insider's perspective on Shetland, crafted by locals who cherish their island home.

Our guidebook is not just a travel companion; it's an immersive experience into the culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes of Shetland.

inside the book

SECTIONS

    • Getting Here and Around

    • Brief History

    • Culture

    • Shetland Today

    • Food & Drink

    • Events Calendar

    • What to Buy

    • Where to Stay

    • Accessible Shetland

    • Lerwick & Central Mainland

    • South Mainland

    • Fair Isle & Foula

    • West Mainland

    • Papa Stour 

    • Whalsay & Out Skerries

    • Nesting, Lunnasting & Delting

    • North Mainland

    • The North Isles: Yell, Unst & Fetlar

    • Natural Wonders 

    • Wildlife

    • Beaches

    • Photography

    • Museums & Heritage

    • Archaeology

    • Arts & Crafts

    • Knitting

    • Trips & Tours

    • Weather

    • Geology

    • Scandinavian Influence 

    • Language & Folklore

    • Clearances

    • Island at War

    • Knitting Heritage

    • Oil Boom

    • Up Helly Aa

    • Shetland, by Ann Cleeves

    • 3 Days in Shetland

    • 7 Days in Shetland

    • Shetland with Kids: Family Adventures

order your copy now

“A beautiful and very informative book. Inspires me to travel to Shetland and help me gauge what I need to get ready for it as well as where I want to go. Having read the book, I want to travel there even more than I did before!”


— Kristina h.

“As a knitter in North America, my focus on Shetland has been related to sheep, wool and fiber arts. It is fascinating to find out more of the history, geography and reasons to explore this landscape. My visit, originally to scoop up yarn, and knitting skills, will definitely need to include extra days for other activities. I am looking forward to catching at least one of your festivals.”


— Willa c.

“If you’re planning a trip to Shetland, may I suggest you get a copy of Shetland: Your Essential Travel Guide. To visit without one would be plain silly. Beautifully written, exquisitely photographed and lovingly currated by people who know and love the Islands. Should be a mandatory publication for all visitors. Get one now and get going.”


— Ian W.

“Phenomenal guide. I got it 5 days before I left for Shetland and it is the Bible of all things Shetland. Thank you for all the blood, sweat and tears to put this all together. Bravo!!!!”


— Jennifer k.

“This is an incredible guidebook! I have greatly enjoy reading about Shetland and planning my adventures. The information is wonderful and very detailed on each topic. The background history of Shetland I found vey interesting and helpful as well. Love the "Did you know" sections.


— Deborah s.

“I love the travel guide. It is unlike any other travel guide I have ever looked at or used, in a good way. I feel like I'm reading someone's diary, I can tell a great deal of love went into the book. I purchased the book as I will be in Shetland in September and wanted some travel tips. I would purchase this again.”


— KAthy m.

A Modest Idea That Became Something Bigger

This book began as a simple idea: a small, practical guide for visitors. But as we dug into the project, it became clear that Shetland deserved more. What started as a pocket guide turned into a 250-page book—filled not just with facts, but with stories, history, and all the little details that make Shetland what it is.

And in these past months, we’ve seen just how much it’s resonated with readers. We’ve had messages from people planning their first trips to Shetland, from locals who’ve discovered new corners of their home, and from those who’ve simply enjoyed being transported to Shetland through its pages.

Laurie and I first met through our work at the Shetland Museum and Archives, where our shared passion was Shetland’s heritage. Years later, we both took a leap into self-employment—Laurie as a travel writer and tour guide, me as a publisher and tour operator—each of us driven by the same desire: to share Shetland’s stories with the world.

This book is a product of that shared love. Laurie’s deep knowledge as a born-and-bred Shetlander shines through in the details—where to find the best Sunday Teas, the quietest beaches for a swim or summer picnic, the best spots for wildlife watching. My role as creative director was to shape all of that knowledge into something that would be visually beautiful, and accessible to anyone with a love for Shetland, while also making everything happen on the practical side.