During this era, the islands were mainly inhabited by the Picts. As the Scandinavian population expanded, there was a need for more land and resources to support the growth. The Vikings began invasions of the neighboring islands, not only to plunder but also to occupy them. By the 9th century, Shetland had been colonized. The fate of the indigenous people remains unknown.
Vikings used Orkney and Shetland for their buccaneering expeditions to Scotland and Norway. In , Harald Harfagre Fairhair , Norwegian King, annexed the two islands and gave them to his relative Rognvald Eysteinsson as an earldom. Shetland came directly under Norwegian rule in From around the 13th century, the monarchs of Scotland began their quest for control of the surrounding islands, leading to several conflicts between them and Norway, including the Battle of Largs. Although the archipelago was still part of Norway in the 14h century, Scottish influence was on the rise.
The degree line of latitude lies across the South Mainland of Shetland, passing through the small island of Mousa with its famous broch. There are over islands ranging in size from the large island of Mainland to the numerous small skerries and islets along the coast. The distance from Sumburgh Head, the most southerly tip of Mainland, to Hermaness at the most northerly tip of Unst, is about km.
North of Unst lies Muckle Flugga with its lighthouse 59m above sea level; the most northerly inhabited island in the British Isles. Fair Isle is 24 miles 39 km south-west of Sumburgh Head and lies mid-way between Shetland and Orkney.
Despite its northerly latitude, Shetland enjoys a pleasant, temperate, oceanic climate with average winter temperatures comparable to those in western Britain and the annual average rainfall is less than mainland Scotland.
Snow rarely lies more than a few days. The shores of the islands are warmed by the Gulf Stream. The northern summer days are long.
Fair Isle, has a population of just over 50 while Foula to the west and Out Skerries to the east have even less. Because Shetland is so far north its latitude is the same as Norway, Sweden and Finland , it experiences extremes of daylight hours.
So at the peak of summer, islanders can enjoy almost 19 hours of sunshine a day while in the depths of winter they see fewer than six hours of daylight. One of the biggest appeals is the wildlife, from photographing otters or rare red-necked phalaropes to fishing for halibut around the Muckle Flugga lighthouse at the edge of the British isles. There are kayaking trips around the islands, and boat trips galore — whether to see the broch at Mousa, the diving gannets at Noss, or to take a cruise to the remote isle of Foula.
Shetland attracts enthusiasts — bird-watchers, artists, photographers, wild swimmers, textile obsessives and so much more — especially to world-renowned events like the Shetland Folk Festival or Shetland Wool Week. With its wild seas and huge skies, Shetland is a true escape.
Many people who move to Shetland report their lives becoming busier than ever. There are clubs and classes for everything from archery to yoga and tai chi, with golf courses, sports pitches and a clay-pigeon shooting range. There are state-of-the-art leisure centres across the islands, especially at Clickimin in Lerwick, with its pool, health suite and squash courts, surrounded by football and rugby pitches and an athletics track. And there are always films, gigs, art shows and other events at the Mareel cultural centre, the Bonhoga art gallery and other spots across Shetland.
Shetland is one of the best places in Europe to see bird life and sea mammals. The gannets come for the same reason as the fishermen — great shoals of herring and mackerel. Shetland is also home to the highest density of otters in Europe, and possibly the world. Grey and common seals are a more common sight, and little heads bobbing in the water will often follow walkers round headlands on coastal jaunts.
Humpbacks and other whales are also sighted. On land, of course, Shetland ponies are a frequent sight around the islands, evolved to be squat and hardy as well as cute through 4, years of roaming the exposed hills and moors of Shetland.
Read more on Shetland wildlife. Milk, cream, butter and cheese are all made in Shetland, and vegetables are grown in polycrub greenhouse tunnels across Shetland.
The best-known is the Shetland Black potato, which pairs well with local roast lamb or beef.
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