Visiting Shetland

[Guest perrie-lipper]

Many thanks for the replies - they have ALL been very interesting and useful.

 

I'll almost certainly visit Unst, Yell and Fetlar; I've never been before because I thought that it would be too difficult.

 

I've booked a fishing trip with Cycharters - the skipper was very helpful indeed !!! I'm still surprised that he appears to be the only person in Shetland offering fishing trips. Others may be taking trips, but they are very quiet about it. This leads me to my only 'complaint' about Shetlanders. They are too quiet and modest about what they have to offer !!!

 

Marketing, Marketing and more Marketing is what is needed.

 

Other places do it, so why not Shetland ???

 

So how could Shetland get more visitors ???

 

I'm very much into sport, especially running. I've been to the Isle of Man running festival which is held over three days - hundreds of runners travel to this event and stay in guest houses. This year they had entrants from Italy, Norway and New Zealand. This event has been going for 20 years, so it must be worthwhile. It must have a significant effect on the local economy. See :

 

http://www.gov.im/lib/news/tourism/20thanniversaryc.xml

 

Earlier this year, I did a race called the Man v Horse marathon in a small town called Llanwrtyd Wells in Mid-Wales. 316 people did this event, local guest houses being booked up months in advance. It is not a place which is particularly easy to reach.

 

Please take a look at this site :

 

http://www.green-events.co.uk/

 

 

The economy of the town has been greatly helped by the 'crazy' events that are on offer throughout the year. Yes, people from all over the UK (and other countries) travel to some 'insignificant' place in Mid Wales to take part in bog snorkelling. Crazy and/or stupid; it brings money to the local economy ! These events are the brainchild of Gordon Green and he runs it almost singlehandedly. Surely a group of Shetlanders could develop something along similar lines ?

 

Basically races and sporting events which are 'quirky', unusual and 'different', have enormous appeal to athletes of all abilities. I've done races which have involved carrying bales of hay and drinking pints of beer - virtually nothing is too 'daft'.

 

Runners (and triathletes in particular) will travel many miles to compete in events. Some of my friends this year alone, have done triathlons in America, Hawaii and Nice. Distance to an event is not usually an issue.

 

I notice that there is a race series in the Western Isles, so why not Shetland ? How about a cycling festival ? How about a triathlon organised in Unst - "Britain's most northerly Triathlon" ? Island hopping throughout the stages would be a unique feature ie, swimming in a loch on Unst, cycling on Unst and then catching a ferry to run on Yell.

 

Have I seen any triathlons organised in Shetland ???. . . . . . . Nope;

running events ???. . . . . . . Nope.

 

If other places can successfully organise these events, then surely something similar could be done in Shetland. Music and Walking festivals are great,but why stop there ?

 

Shetland is the most attractive place I've ever visited. It has all the basic ingredients in place; can't someone organise something ???

 

I’m sure you are aware that all hubs in Scotland work towards a national strategy, and develop local strategies for an even balance of tourism activities, which must be promoted throughout Scotland.

 

However it is good to see someone with such enthusiasm as yourself for the Tourism growth in Shetland, have you ever considered coming and working as part of the Visit Shetland tourism team, they need people like you.

[trumptonriots]

Too much marketing at this stage in Shetland's relatively embryonic tourism industry might not be the answer.

 

Shetland simply doesn't have the infrastructure to cope with a large number of additional visitors.

 

It is fairly well known that the number of guest beds within the islands is severely restricted. Unless bookings are made several months in advance it is unlikely you will get to stay where you want to. I've been letting my flat out as self-catering holiday lets...and some weeks could have let the place out several times over.

 

Lerwick/Shetland needs another big hotel. This could primarily cater for the tour groups that come off the Northlink ferry, leaving more choice for the independent travellers that do make it north. Might also serve as a useful rocket up the ass for the present operators of Lerwick's hotels

[islandhopper]

Too much marketing at this stage in Shetland's relatively embryonic tourism industry might not be the answer.

 

Sorry, but where is "too much marketing"?

 

At least not on the continent! Contacting VisitBritain in order to get some information about Shetland, you get 3 (three) things:

i) the gerneral VisitScotland brochure about Scotland

ii) the weblink to the VisitScotland und VisitShetland websites

iii) (if a clever chap was at the desk) the phone number to contact VisitShetland.

 

Since P&O went out of the ferry business and since Smyril more or less stopped its regular advertisings Shetland (simply spoken) "is not existing".

That is at least the situation viewed from Germany, Austria and Switzerland - all the three having "minor" shares in the Scotish tourism market in general, but according to ScotExchange steadily increasing shares over the last 15 years.

[trumptonriots]

See your point if that is all the info you get from a general query!

 

Nevertheless, some folk must know it exists as otherwise my property wouldn't be turning away as many folk as actually book over the summer months.

 

There is little point attracting more folk if there is nowhere for them to stay. Having infrastructure in place is usually the first step before marketing.

[breeksy]

It is fairly well known that the number of guest beds within the islands is severely restricted. Unless bookings are made several months in advance it is unlikely you will get to stay where you want to. I've been letting my flat out as self-catering holiday lets...and some weeks could have let the place out several times over.

 

In my experience this summer, some days there have been well over 100 beds available in the bigger Shetland hotels so far, and I'm not aware of any days (when they were checked) with less than about 40. That doesn't include guest houses and the smaller and more out of the way hotels.

 

That could be a lot of revenue for Shetland if they were filled...

[trumptonriots]

Maybe that is because the hotels in Lerwick have such a bad reputation?

 

If that is the case then yeah, there certainly should be more marketing done. Though the impression i get every time the tourist office phone me asking if I have had any cancellations is that things are chocka.

[JustMe]

Simply doing more advertising to promote Shetland as a tourist destination is likely to result in more overbooked hotels and guesthouses in the main summer season which is liable to create a bad impression of Shetland.

 

What is needed is positive action to boost off peak tourism. Either tourism linked to specific events like the folk festival or UHA or promoting things like spring wildlife. Probably needs a brainstorming session with all parts of the tourist industry.

 

The point about the benefits to Shetland from the Norrona's visits may well be true in terms of X million being spent here but if a high proportion of that is spent on alcohol to take home the gain to Shetland may not be that great.

[shetlander]

JustMe – I agree with everything you say….

 

I too have a self catering house which is normally occupied from around the beginning of May until the end of August every year. Like you trumptonriots, I could let it two or three times over during the summer months and I always have to turn folk away. The flip side of the coin though is that unless I get a winter let from the likes of visiting contractors (which I don’t always) it pretty much lies empty outwith the summer season. I’m in the fortunate position to own the house outright, not to rely on it as my sole source of income and don’t have to pay anyone for cleaning/maintenance. However, after I take off what I have to pay for insurance, council tax, bills, tourist board membership and I set aside a reasonable amount of money for advertising and maintenance/upgrading every year I’m not left with a hell of lot in my pocket. Although holiday lets suit me better at the moment, letting the house out would certainly have been a more lucrative option for me. Its certainly opened my eyes to why many of the very good ideas out there on tourist related businesses remain just as ideas and aren’t likely (unless they can draw trade from locals throughout the year in addition to visitors in the summer) to be big money spinners.

 

I’ve been lucky enough to get an upgrade from Visit Scotland this year and I’m hoping to get a website done over the winter. I have to say though that I’m sceptical about the increased visitors that (and the effort I put in to marketing and improving the house as much as I can) will bring. The biggest boost for me would certainly be to have more tourists wanting to visit the isles in the early spring, late autumn and winter and I’m sure that’s the same for many other businesses who rely heavily on the tourist trade.

 

The weather is always going to be a factor and although some of us may not relish it, Shetland can throw up some pretty spectacular winter weather and scenery which needs to be marketed more. Give visitors something to come for in the way of indoor events or festivals and much more of an authentic Shetland experience (cosying up in local pubs with open peat fires, local food and traditional music, you get my drift) and I don’t see why Shetland shouldn’t appeal as a short break winter destination. Given its attractions in terms of the natural environment/wildlife it’s never going to be difficult to attract folk in the summertime but I agree that moving some of the events which don’t rely on the summer weather to outwith the season should be looked at least. I’m in no way affiliated with the local music scene so don’t know the practical implications but what about moving the Folk Festival or the Fiddle Frenzy to November or February? Shetland hospitality at New Year is massively undersold. And what about a week long Viking Festival to tie in with Up Helly Aa or a Food and Drink Festival to tie in with one of the other winter events?

[islandhopper]

@JustMe

Simply doing more advertising to promote Shetland as a tourist destination is likely to result in more overbooked hotels and guesthouses in the main summer season which is liable to create a bad impression of Shetland.

That's right with regard to those folks "travelling into the blue" who are familiar with and relying on a working B&B system. Have a look at all the others and do a rough calculation (in terms of time and money) someone right from central Europe has to invest just to reach Shetland. If you are prepared to spend more money for transport costs only than you will have to spend for a full week "all inclusive" on the Canary Islands than you will check accomodation facilities, local transport conditions etc. very carefully.

 

Probably needs a brainstorming session with all parts of the tourist industry.

Right - and Im sure that there is a lot of development potential. Just one example under the headline "smaller might be more beautiful": Operation Sail 2010 - failed?! Nevertheless there is some kind of staff with all the organizing experience from the last event. So, why not using it to invite a) a small armada of historic Dutch sailing and fishing boats to revive the traditional "fishing links" between Shetland and The Netherlands or inviting some of the seagoing replicas of hanseatic coggs from Bremen to Gdansk to visit the hanseatic sites in Shetland? In both cases you would gain a wide coverage (free advertising ) by regional and national TV-stations on the continent for the whole year of planning and preparation and for a long time after the event - but not such "thousands" of new visitors in the following seasons who might be surprise by finding overbooked hotels.

[BigMouth]

The best holidays that I have had have been when I have selected certain types of accommodation. I went through B&Bs, Guest Houses and then hotels until i was going to the type that there was always a flunky rushing to open the door before I managed to. The best places were always self catering flats/houses or living with a family.

 

I have yet to go into a Shetland Hotel that isn't a tad on the soulless side.

 

In another thread I suggested that we stopped spending money on Smyril and gave the money to hotels for accommodation so that people could holiday here cheaper. It would be beneficial to encourage new enterprise by having people putting up visitors in their homes as we do with the Games. There's nothing more traditional than a real Shetland family

[lastpubrunner]

The best holidays that I have had have been when I have selected certain types of accommodation. I went through B&Bs, Guest Houses and then hotels until i was going to the type that there was always a flunky rushing to open the door before I managed to. The best places were always self catering flats/houses or living with a family.

 

I have yet to go into a Shetland Hotel that isn't a tad on the soulless side.

 

In another thread I suggested that we stopped spending money on Smyril and gave the money to hotels for accommodation so that people could holiday here cheaper. It would be beneficial to encourage new enterprise by having people putting up visitors in their homes as we do with the Games. There's nothing more traditional than a real Shetland family

 

This message is absolutely 'spot on ' !!! Having been up in Shetland only a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but notice the ugly hotel opposite the ferry terminal. There is another unattractive hotel on the road out of Lerwick on the left going towards Somerfields. I can't imagine why anyone would wish to stay in either of these, when they could stay (for considerably less) in an attractive self catering place.

 

Another hotel is not the answer, regardless if it is in Lerwick or in the countryside. I frequently look at the Shetland Estate Agents' websites and I've seen one or two hotels for sale recently - I suspect it is because they are finding it hard to make a living.

 

There is one aspect that Shetlanders should realise and it is this :

 

For most visitors, going to Shetland is a form of escapism. They want to get away from congestion, motorways, traffic jams, pollution, noise, work, towns & cities, stressful jobs . . . . . . . the 'Rat Race !!!

 

What we don't want in Shetland :

 

We don't want any experiences related to the aforementioned 'Rat Race'.

 

We don't want the Toll Clock Shopping Centre 'Indoor Shopping Experiences' which aren't actually in the centre of Lerwick.

 

Think about this - you can buy some things in Somerfield; do a bit more shopping on Commercial Street and then get in the car again and visit the Toll Clock Shopping Centre. This is not a likely scenario. Sadly, Commercial Street appears to be the one that is struggling to exist.

. . . . And I've not even mentioned the other supermarket (CO-OP?)

 

We don't want to visit smaller editions of the bigger chain stores that we have back home. Okay, Somerfields, Boots & WHSmiths, but that's about enough.

 

Visitors want to visit quaint old shops. When I was young, I remember buying a ship in a bottle from the upstairs section of a shop on Commercial Street; that's the sort of thing that tourists like. The shops should be concentrated in one particular area, where a dense concentration of interesting places will make the tourist want to stay for hours. Visit places such as Barmouth or Whitby and you'll see what I mean. Visitors don't want Shetland to become too commercialised and sophisticated - we get that sort of stuff back home thank you very much, where cloned, out of town shopping centres are the norm.

 

A good deal could be done to further develop Commercial Street (and the streets close by). Many premises are quite drab in appearance and don't exactly entice the visitor to enter. When I first went to the Lounge Bar a few years ago, I wasn't even sure if I was allowed in - I wondered if it was some kind of private members club for fishermen. I've only had great times in there, yet I can't help but think that many visitors will be unaware of the superb entertainment that is available inside.

 

Visitors want to experience the culture of Shetland. A great deal more can be done on this front. Shetland music from speakers in the ferry terminal would put visitors 'in the mood'. On Commercial Street, a good open-fronted cafe/bar with live music in the daytime would do very well. As I say, 'escapism' is what visitors want and what better place to start, than the main points of entry into Shetland. Vistors want 'atmosphere' and I don't mean just the weather.

 

The message by BigMouth is entirely accurate in stating that "The best places were always self catering flats/houses or living with a family". More accomodation is needed in Shetland. If self-catering places are the ones which are booked the most, then it is hard to argue against the need for more of the same. Building more units such as the Easterhoull Chalets would be a good start. The idea raised by BigMouth of staying with a family is another excellent suggestion !

 

Having visited Shetland in the last few weeks, I would like to especially thank the following :

 

Those people who offered me suggestions via this website - thank you !!!

 

I'd like to thank John Tulloch of Cycharters for a superb fishing trip. (Thanks to those who recommended Cycharters !). He was both entertaining and very interesting and was very keen to help three incredibly inept fishermen. He did everything he could to ensure that we had a great time (Thanks also to his brother and his friend Basil). We shall certainly use them again.

 

We visited Tony & Liz Gott at the Shetland Genealogy Centre in Yell. They were very welcoming and did everything they could to make sure that we enjoyed our visit. Tony traced my Shetland ancestors back to 1700, detailing where and when they were born and died. Their website is http://www.bayanne.co.uk and is very useful to those tracing their Shetland forebears.

 

Our accomodation in Hamnavoe was very good - probably the best bed in which we've ever slept. Mr & Mrs Laurenson (the owners) were very nice people and exceedingly helpful.

 

The Fisheries College in Scalloway provides a first-class meal at a very reasonable price. The service was excellent and we enjoyed the experience very much. Interestingly, I sat at a table next to a photograph of Scalloway fishing girls, one of whom was my great aunt.

 

The Clickimin Leisure Centre is the best leisure centre I've ever visited. Furthermore, it is far cheaper than the one back home. The staff were very friendly and the centre has excellent facilities.

 

Shetland is a wonderful place and I'll visit again as soon as I can. I do feel, however, that certain aspects need to be retained and developed, whilst others need to be dropped. I'd be pleased to develop a strategic plan for the Shetland Council, though I guess (from what I've heard) that they'd only accept if I charged them a huge sum for doing so.

 

Years ago, I did an MBA and I genuinely struggled to find an interesting subject for my dissertation. I ended up doing one on 'The Export Strategies of Small Companies'. It has since occurred to me, that identifying a range of feasible strategic options for Lerwick/Shetland and developing a plan to implement these, would form the basis of a very interesting dissertation.

 

Perhaps I'll put one on this site . . . . . . .

[McFly]

What we don't want in Shetland :

 

Maybe resident Shetlanders do want all that stuff.

 

They're the ones who have to live there after all

 

A culture constructed for tourists won't last very long.

[lastpubrunner]

What we don't want in Shetland :

 

Maybe resident Shetlanders do want all that stuff.

 

They're the ones who have to live there after all

 

A culture constructed for tourists won't last very long.

 

"A culture constructed for tourists won't last very long"

 

Why not ? If you take away the tourist trade, what other remaining sustainable long term industries does Shetland have left ? It is difficult to imagine any industry in Shetland that has the potential for growth as the tourist trade. Due to where it is located, it is particularly difficult (in most markets) for industries in Shetland to compete effectively, due to distribution costs.

 

The development of the tourist industry is a (relatively) low risk venture. As I stated in my previous message, many important aspects are already in place, they just needed to be promoted more clearly.

[McFly]

Why not ?

 

Because tourists all disappear off home at the end of August. So who's going to keep it going through the winter months?

 

Locals? I doubt it, Shetland locals have got their own lives to lead, customs and traditions to observe......and shopping to do

 

As for other sustainable industries, I'm no expert, but there's a good debate along those lines going on here.

 

Dive right in

[lastpubrunner]

Why not ?

 

Because tourists all disappear off home at the end of August. So who's going to keep it going through the winter months?

 

Locals? I doubt it, Shetland locals have got their own lives to lead, customs and traditions to observe......and shopping to do

 

As for other sustainable industries, I'm no expert, but there's a good debate along those lines going on here.

 

Dive right in

 

So far as the shopping goes, I still firmly believe that it would be better to have the main shopping experience around Commercial Street (which essentially is the 'main' street in Lerwick) and the surrounding streets. I see no reason why such shops shouldn't meet the needs of both the locals and the visitors. Surely, most of the shops in Commercial Street are still independently owned and therefore it is in the interests of the locals to support them ?

 

Consider this site http://www.green-events.co.uk/

 

The site states . . . . . . .

 

In 1979 a Tourism Association for Llanwrtyd Wells was started. The objective of this Association was to improve the economy by marketing events of the Town.

 

One of the objectives was to organise a new event each year, especially during the tourism' off-season'.

The first event organised was the Man Versus Horse Marathon in 1980. This was followed by The Welsh International Four Day Walks in 1981, and the Drovers Walk in 1982. Now a total of 12 events are organised annually.

 

I've been to Llanwrtyd Wells, purely to do one of these events. It is such an 'out of the way' place, that I'd never have visited it otherwise. They have managed (with little outlay) to encourage tourists to visit throughout the year. Basically, they offer events which are similar in nature to Up Helly AA, but more of them. If they can do it, why can't Shetland ? They wouldn't do it if they weren't getting something (money from tourists) from it.

 

Perhaps the tourist board could promote breaks during all the school holidays ? I've visited Shetland at half term in October and it was great. I went self catering and it was ridiculously cheap - three of us stayed in an excellent cottage for a mere £150 for the week; and it could sleep six ! The ferry wasn't quite such a bargain but it was cheaper than in the summer. I think that it is perfectly feasible to visit Shetland out of season; obviously the weather can be changeable, but that's all part of the charm of Shetland.

 

Ta for your replies McFly !!

 

Don't any Shetlanders in Shetland have an opinion on this ?