About Shetland

Shetland lies 211 miles north of Aberdeen on a lattitude of 60o North. It consists of over 100 islands . The total land area is around 567 miles (1468Km) with over 900 miles of Coastline. Shetland is a real "get away from it all" location where you can find a beach all to yourself, fish your very own loch and view wildlife so varied and abundent, you will wonder how this secret place had been kept from you for so long. For some usefull links visit www.visit-shetland.com.

LANDSCAPE
The Landscape is far from the anticipated bleak unvegetated rock. It is suprisingly varied with moorland and hills dotted with hundreds of locks and a coastline with both sandy beaches and some of the highest sea cliffs in the UK. Sheland's remoteness and staggering landscape will give you that real feeling of a willderness location.

TRAVEL TO SHETLAND
A) AIR The main airport is located at Sumburugh, the most southerly tip of the island, just 12 miles from Hoswick. Flights arrive daily from Mainland Britain. British Airways 0870 850 9850 www.ba.com

B) FERRY

ABERDEEN
Northlink operates the Aberdeen to Shetland ( Lerwick ) ferry service. With a ferry leaving everyday throughout the year. three stateof the art ferries operate the route toOrkney and Shetland providing a very high standard of comfort and meeting the latest safety requirements. Passangers have a choice of Dining areas,bars, comfortable lounges and two or Four berth cabins,all ensuite, even a on board cinema. Northlink can be contacted on 0845 6000 449 or visit: www.northlinkferries.co.uk

DENMARK & NORWAY
The luxury cruise ferry M/F Norrona, operated by Smiril Line, sails between Shetland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Faroe Islands from May to September. Smyril Line Shetland (01595) 690845 email: office@smyril-line.co.uk

WEATHER
The relatively mild but at times windy, North Atlantic weather systems could never be discribed as boring. The saying goes that you can see four seasons in a single day in Shetland. So one should be always prepared for the unexpected. The variable climate ensures an enviroment of ever changing light, which can be a paradise for photographers and artists alike. .

SIMMER DIM
The long days of Summer are known in Shetland as the "Simmer Dim," when midsummer days last almost 19 hours with the sun above the horizon and it is possible to read a newspaper at midnight by natural light

BIRDS
The birdlife of Shetland could only be discribed as spectacular. Over 1 million seabirds breed every Summer, comprising of 21 species including the bird everyone would like to see; the Puffin. , Arctic and Great Skuas numbers are of international inportance and Red Necked Phalaropes are another species, that can be very confiding, walking just feet from the patient observer. Other noteworthy species include Whimbrel, Red Throughted Diver and Merlin.

The birdlife of Shetland could only be discribed as spectacular. Over 1 million seabirds breed every Summer, comprising of 21 species including the bird everyone would like to see; the Puffin. , Arctic and Great Skuas numbers are of international inportance and Red Necked Phalaropes are another species, that can be very confiding, walking just feet from the patient observer. Other noteworthy species include Whimbrel, Red Throughted Diver and Merlin.

Highlights of species around Orca Country Inn and Hoswick during 2006 included Red Rumped Swallow, Bluethrought, Barred Warbler, Yellow Browed Warbler, Red Backed Shrike, Due to our sheltered position Our grounds are full of trees, a real luxury in Shetland, especially for the Birders, as during Spring and Autumn Migration the trees act as a magnet for the Birds.

Some of the best locations for Birds are a short distance from us:
Noness 2miles
Mousa RSPB reserve 2 miles
Spiggie Lock RSPB reserve 10 miles
Sumburugh Head RSPB reserve 12 miles Noss National Nature Reserve 12 miles

MAMMALS
Shetland is surrounded by rich and productive seas, which provide food for a greater diversity of marine mammals than found anywhere else in the British Isles.

THE OTTER
Is a coastal animal in Shetland and quite common with 800 individuals.

KILLER WHALES
Regularly make an appearance in the summer months. Several pods seem to be semi-resident, esspecialy around the island of Mousa and Mousa Sound located off Sandwick, just a mile or so from the Orca Country Inn at Hoswick. Sumbrugh Head is another area for sightings.

This area is also a great location for other sea Mammals:

HARBOUR PORPOISE
Atlantic White Sided, White Beaked and Rissos Dolphine are seen quite often off the east coast.

LARGE WHALES
Come inshore frequently,

GREY & COMMON SEALS
Are both common around the coast of Shetland. Common Seals have their pups in June and one of the largest colonies is on the Island of Mousa, just off the coast from Hoswick and the Orca Country Inn. Here they can be observed quiet closesly without disturbance. Another good spot is actually at the jetty for the ferry across to Mousa.

Other Common sights
Mountain Hare and Hedgehog

FLORA
Between May and August Shetland displays up to 400 species of plants, including endemic species found no where else in the world, such as ST EDMONDSTONES CHICKWEED found on the fellfield habitats. Other habitats include old meadows and roadside verges, which are full of colour throughout the Summer with ORCHIDS, Primrose, Hawkbits Field Gentian, and Vetches. In damper areas: there are Iris , Heath Spotted Orchid, Ragged Robin, Marsh Marrigold and Cotton Grass to name but a few.

INSECTS
In the onset of spring in May the first SHETLAND BUMBLEBEE, an endemic species only found in Shetland. This is a common species found in a variety of habitats . This bee is very distinctive, having a completly orange thorax. Moths are fairly well represented . During the late Summer of 2006 the Hotel had at least two HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTHS for a few weeks.

HISTORY
An ideal base for exploration of South Shetland, and easy reach to many of the top vistor sites including Mousa RSPB reserve, Mousa Broch, St Ninians Isle, Bodam Croft House Museum and Sumburugh Head RSPB reserve, to name just a few.

Mousa Broch (2 miles from Hoswick)
The Brochs of Mousa and Burraland guard the entrance to Mousa soundThe Island of Mousa, off Sandwick and Hoswick is Home to the world famous Pictish Broch, being the best preserved in exsistence. Standing over 42 feet fromthe ground and measurinf 49feet at the base,it was built in the Iron Age from local Sandstone. The island plays host to a multitude of Birds including Storm Petrol, Arctic skuas, Arctic Tern and Great Skuas, while Grey & Common Seals take advantage of the pools tothe south of the island.
Bodam Crofthouse Museum (5 miles from Hoswick)
The Crofthouse Museum at Voe Dunrossness, allows a glimpse of Crofting life in former times. The Crof House was built around 1830, with its thatched roof and chimney, and consists of a house,byre,barn , watermill and grain -drying Kiln.
St Ninnians Isle tombola and 12th century chapel (5 miles from Hoswick)
St Ninians Isle is joined to the Mainland at Bigton by the finest example of a ayre or tombola in europe. This long and beutiful sand beach is only very rearly engulfed by the sea , th at breaks up to it from both sides. On the island its self is the remains of a 12th century chapel, but overlies a much older possibly 8th century one, which was the site of the discovery in 1958 of st Ninians Isle Treasure.
Quendale Watermill (12 miles from Hoswick)
Built in 1867 and now housing displays of agracultural tools and machinery. Quendale is also the home to Shetlands longest beach.
Jarlshof ( 12 miles from Hoswick )
Jarlshof emerged after a winter gale backin the 19th century The Site dates back 3000 years and is many layered, with settlements from Neolithick dwellings to a 16th century Lairds House.

FISHING
Shetland has over 300 trout lochs. Access to lochs on Shetland is largly unrestricted.

Trout fishing in Shetland is unbelievebly cheap and excellent value. A permit of 20 pounds issued at the rod and line Tackle Shop in Lerwick, entitles visitors tempory membershipto the Shetland Anglers Club. The Shetland Anglers Association also has boats for hire on some of the lochs for 20 pounds for unlimited use. Further reading can be found in the form of "Trout Fishing in Shetland" by Shetland Anglers and avalible from the Shetland Times Bookshop. For the Fisherman we have outbuildings where tackle can be washed and stored for the following day.

WALKING
The book "walking the coastline of shetland, South Mainland" published by Shetland Times ltd, offers great ideas for walks. A drying room for your coats and boots can be provided so that you have comfortable clothes for the following day.

CYCLING
Shetland has a very well posted National Cycling Route, which passes right past the door tothe Orca Country Inn. The Cycling Shop in Lerwick hires out on a daily basis.

ARORA BOLLYARIS (NORTHERN LIGHTS)

UP HELLY 'A
The Shetland Fire Festival that takes place on the last Tuesday in January each year.