Lying roughly 100 miles off the north east coast of Scotland, the Shetland Islands are the northern-most tip of Scotland. The islands separate the Atlantic Ocean, on the west, from the North Sea on the east.
What are the northern islands of Scotland called?
The Northern Isles (Scots: Northren Isles; Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan a Tuath; Old Norse: Norðreyjar; Norn: Nordøjar) are a pair of archipelagos off the north coast of mainland Scotland, comprising Orkney and Shetland. They are part of Scotland, as the Hebrides also are.
What are the islands off the north coast of Scotland called?
Scotland has over 900 offshore islands, most of which are to be found in four main groups: Shetland , Orkney, and the Hebrides, sub-divided into the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides.
What are the 3 main groups of islands in Scotland?
A lot of people are shocked when they discover that Scotland has over 900 offshore islands. Each of the islands are found in four main groups: Shetland, Orkney, the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides . Each island boasts a unique character, yet they are all equally as breathtaking.
What is the northernmost Scottish island?
Unst is Britain’s most northerly inhabited island and is part of the Shetland Islands. Giant cliffs, sea stacks and sheltered bays are typical of Unst which is a major breeding ground for a range of seabirds.
What is the prettiest Scottish island?
Harris & Lewis
Number 1 of Scotland’s 5 Most Beautiful Islands? Harris and Lewis; there is a lifetime of adventure and discovery in those two names. Once thought to be two islands as any travel between them was undertaken by boat, we now know these as one landmass.
Is Shetland closer to Scotland or Norway?
Shetland is around 170 km (106 mi) north of mainland Scotland and 350 km (217 mi) west of Bergen, Norway.
What is the smallest inhabited island in Scotland?
- Signpost to all you’ll need on Easdale, one of the Slate Islands, in the Firth of Lorn. ...
- Fewer than 70 souls dwell on this rocky outcrop separated from mainland Argyll by a few hundred metres of water.
How many islands does Scotland have exactly?
Scotland has over 790 islands , most of which are to be found in several distinct main groups.
Is Shetland part of Scotland or England?
Lying roughly 100 miles off the north east coast of Scotland , the Shetland Islands are the northern-most tip of Scotland. The islands separate the Atlantic Ocean, on the west, from the North Sea on the east.
What is Scotland famous for?
What is Scotland known for? Scotland is known for its cities Edinburgh and Glasgow , as well as its highlands, mountains, and 30,000 lochs. Also, the Scottish are famous for their accent, humor, and being a nation of redheads! Food-wise, perhaps you’ve heard of the Scottish favorites: haggis, “tatties” and “neeps”.
Does Scotland have 700 islands?
Scotland has over 700 islands which are categorized into four main groups: Shetland, Orkney, Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides.
Where is the oldest building in Scotland?
Traquair Castle is a unique property, located just 30 miles south of Edinburgh . It offers a unique blend of history, family attractions and luxurious accommodation. Traquair Castle was originally owned by the kings of Scotland.
Why are there no trees on Shetland?
There are numerous shelter belts around the islands and many gardens have a good selection of trees and shrubs. ... The real reasons for the lack of trees are to do with clearance for firewood and the presence of sheep , which have prevented natural regeneration.
Which is bigger Orkney or Shetland?
It is notoriously fiddly to measure such things, but Shetland appears to be just under half as big again as Orkney in land-mass terms, 565 square miles plays 380 square miles.
Where is Fair Isle Scotland?
Fair Isle is the southernmost Shetland island and lies 24 miles from the Shetland Mainland and 27 miles from North Ronaldsay, the most northerly island in Orkney.
