Accommodation on Shetland next September headache (1 Viewer)

[bonxie birder]

I’ve been looking at accommodation for a week on Shetland for next September and its mainly sold out. Does anyone know if this is the norm?

 

[Steve Arlow]

Probably is now. The last week of September is when birders start arriving in numbers whilst that also coincides with Wool Week where visitors from around the world visit. Busy time for Shetland. That being said if you look for accommodation away from South Mainland and Lerwick, maybe around Scalloway, out towards Walls, Brae etc there should still be places available, just depends on what you are looking for B&B or Self Catering.

 

[bonxie birder]

Probably is now. The last week of September is when birders start arriving in numbers whilst that also coincides with Wool Week where visitors from around the world visit. Busy time for Shetland. That being said if you look for accommodation away from South Mainland and Lerwick, maybe around Scalloway, out towards Walls, Brae etc there should still be places available, just depends on what you are looking for B&B or Self Catering.

Wool week? I’d never heard of it

 

[Farnboro John]

Wool week? I’d never heard of it

Nor had we but one year we lost our regular accommodation to attendees.... get in early is my advice too.

If you think about it Shetland is covered in sheep raised for wool, Shetland and Fair Isle knitting are legendary: these are decent contributors to the island economy and the island hierarchy are sensibly apt to favour them and endorse events - birders come a long way second.

John

 

[bonxie birder]

Worth bearing in mind. It’s the only week my son can do.

 

[Mike Crawley]

wool week - we went to Shetland in wool week on our second visit there. Full of ladies of a certain age clad head to foot in woollen garments (acres of fair isle jumpers, skirts and leggings) who were surprisingly sociable and good fun. We met many ladies from Britain but a surprising number from America and Canada.
Good job too, we drove hundreds of miles and saw pitifully few decent birds - not as much fun as it sounds………..

 

[NAB]

Our group of 3 birders normally do Scilly or Shetland each autumn and after a run of 3 years on Scilly, we decided to visit Shetland next year. I immediately noticed two things, compared to previous years, in that accommodation seems lacking and the price has shot up, especially if looking in Lerwick.

Two days ago, I did however manage to book a three bedroom self catering accommodation in Scalloway, via AirBnB and at a good price.

Also agree that Wool Week can make things challenging too! The first week of October can also be good for birding.