Guided tours introducing visitors to Shetland's scenery, wildlife, history, culture and more!
Welcome to Island Trails! If you have a week, a couple of days or even just an afternoon, Island Trails can ensure that your experience of Shetland is a truly magical one. With both private and small group tours there is something for everyone, helping visitors make the most of their precious moments on the Islands. Join us for a tour and experience the real Shetland! Let us introduce you to the magnificent landscapes, wildlife, history, people and stories of Shetland. Take a look at Our Tours to learn more.
What's On?
Featured Tours
South Mainland of Shetland Small Group Tour
Duration
7.5 Hours
Join a small group tour of the South Mainland, an area rich in archaeology with several of Shetland’s best known and most popular tourist attractions. Tour Highlights: Dunrossness Croft House Museum, Sumburgh Head seabird reserve (Puffins from April to early August only), St. Ninian’s Isle treasure site & tombolo beach, Jarlshof archaeological site. View the Island of Mousa & its Iron Age Broch. We will see Shetland ponies at close range and there is a good chance of viewing seals. Lunch stop at the Sumburgh Hotel.
Price £100 per person including admission fees, based on a minimum group of 3. (Lunch not included in price.) Maximum group size 8 persons.
The tour starts from Lerwick at 9.30am and returns at 5pm. Available Monday to Saturday subject to availability.
North Mainland of Shetland Small Group Tour
Duration
7.5 Hours
Join a small group tour of the North Mainland, an area boasting spectacular views throughout with a coastline that varies from rugged cliffs to secluded voes (sea inlets.) A geologically diverse area which includes Shetland’s highest point, Ronas Hill.
Tour Highights: Mavis Grind, the narrow crossing point between the Atlantic & North Sea,
Cliffs & lighthouse Eshaness, Steness beach (site of Haaf fishing Station,) Tangwick Haa Musuem, Ronas Voe, (Shetland’s only true fjord,) Sullom Voe, a wartime seaplane base and now the site of the UK’s largest oil terminal. Lunch stop at the Braewick Café.
Price £95 per person based on a minimum group of 3. No admission fees on this tour. (Lunch not included in price.) Maximum group size 8 persons.
The tour starts from Lerwick at 9.30am and returns at 5pm. Available Monday to Saturday subject to availability.
Mousa & Central Mainland Small Group Tour
Duration
7.5 Hours
Join a small group tour to the island of Mousa, world famous for its iron age broch (round stone tower) standing at 13 metres tall. Visitors can get inside the broch and then up the internal stairs to a viewing area on top. The island is also an RSPB nature reserve with many seabirds.
Tour Highlights: Clickimin Broch (Lerwick) as we start the tour. Mousa Boat Trip 11.30am then 3 hours walking on Mousa. Afternoon visit Scalloway, Shetland’s old capital & Scalloway Museum. View Scalloway Castle (currently closed to entry for conservation work.) Tingwall valley to see the site of Shetland’s old Norse parliament or Ting.
In the event of weather cancelling the Mousa boat trip there will be an alternative route still including Scalloway but also taking in more of the central & West mainland of Shetland.
Price £110 per person based on a minimum group of 3. Prices includes the Mousa boat fare. Maximum group size 8 persons.
Packed lunch required and suitable outdoor footwear & clothing for Mousa island.
The tour starts from Lerwick at 9.30am and returns at 5pm. Available Monday to Friday subject to availability.
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About Us
Shetland: What does the word conjure up for you? Little ponies, Fair Isle knitting, seabirds or traditional music perhaps. For James Tait, Shetland is home and it has been for his family for as long as anyone can remember. James lives in Ireland (originally "Ayreland), a crofting township in the Bigton area and is the 6th generation of his family to live there. The community in Ireland have a panoramic view overlooking the famous St. Ninian’s Isle where a hoard of silver treasure was found in 1958.
The Tait family have been crofters for generations and James is keeping up the tradition by running the family croft with his brother, where they have a flock of about 150 sheep. James has keen interests in wildlife and local history and enthusiastically brings his knowledge into his tours and walks. “I love being outdoors and to show visitors around Shetland is a pleasure,” says James.
James came back home to work after studying at the University of Dundee, starting out in accountancy and then eventually ending up as a self employed tour guide!
James has been the owner of Island Trails since 2012 following the death of its founder Elma Johnson, a renowned Shetland storyteller and guide. James began his guiding working for Elma and feels privileged to be carrying on the business, sharing some of her stories & knowledge in his tours.
Testimonials
Stephen McClarence
James Tait is a superb guide – impressively knowledgeable about his native Shetland, entertaining, friendly and adaptable. I visited Shetland with a specific commission – to write about “storm-watching” for The Times – and over the two hugely enjoyable days my wife and I spent with him, he tailored the time exactly to my needs. He was even able to conjure up Storm Gertrude, with her 105 mph gales, which suggests he has very good connections indeed! Rather than delivering rote lectures, he talked informally, so it was like having a friend with us. I have had many guides over 20 years of travel writing for national newspapers and James proved one of the very best. (January 2016.)
Coleen Whiteside, USA.
"Living in Shetland for the summer (2019) was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Shetland's beautiful land and seascapes are rivalled only by the generosity of her people. I took Island Trails' Northmavine & Eshaness tour on my last day in Shetland. A wonderful way to spend the day before heading home. Thank you."
Tracy Reid, Australia
"I wanted to say a big thank you for a fantastic day out - it was a real pleasure seeing and learning about Shetland, its way of life and history, both ancient and modern". (May 2019.)