Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland

Recommended by 97% of travelers

Lerwick, Scotland

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

· April_C ·

Aug 2025

Our guide Danny was excellent. He was just the right mix of fun facts and local history. He was extremely flexible and made us love the Shetland Islands!!! Really the perfect day!!!! Recommend Danny and this tour 100%!!!!

· Phillip_M ·

Jun 2025

This was the BEST single day tour we have ever taken! Shirley was an excellent guide and Sam was a great driver. Shirley and Sam are both patient and kind. Shirley’s knowledge of Shetland is unbelievable. A terrific surprise and highlight was Shirley giving a private concert for us with her Shetland fiddling. We will never forget this glorious day!

Overview

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Private transportation
Parking Fees
Fuel surcharge
Services of our driver and a tour guide
Admission to Jarlshof
Visit to Carol's Ponies
Admission to Sumburgh Head Lighthouse Exhibition

Lunch
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We can collect you from anywhere in the Lerwick area and Sumburgh or Tingwall Airports.

Itinerary

Scalloway

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Scalloway

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Mousa Iron Age Broch (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Not recommended for travelers with walking dificulties
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Brenda_S

Danny was a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the island. We were a group of 6 in a private tour of the island. We saw the Shetland ponies, the puffins nesting among the hillside at the lighthouse and foghorn station. And took a tour of ancient Viking village ruins. Dress warmly as the island is very windy chilly even with the sunny skies. Danny also directed us to the local cafe/restaurants for some delicious fish n chips. Would highly recommend doing the private tour.

Reviews

4.9

based on 39 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great day!!!!!

April_C, Aug 2025

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Hi April, Thanks so much for touring Shetland with us and taking time to leave this lovely review. We're delighted that you enjoyed your day with Danny and have shared your kind words with him. Hope the rest of your cruise is amazing. Safe travels, Robertsons

Fabulous day in Lerwick

Elise_B, Aug 2025

Communication was excellent concerning where to meet our guide and driver. Mandy was so kind, knowledgeable and interesting with all her explanations and history. Circumstances required some juggling of our itinerary and Mandy and Jez (our driver) guided us seamlessly with alternate plans and some extras. One couple on our tour didn't make it in time and we all voted to move forward without them. When they later found their way to the pier, Mandy and Jez kindly backtracked to pick them up and made an extra stop or two to catch them up on what they missed. The tour went over the scheduled time and we were all delighted. I feel confident speaking for all 14 participants when I say we loved our day in Lerwick with Mandy and Jez.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Hi Elise, Thank you for touring Shetland with us and taking the time to leave this lovely review. It's great to hear Mandy & Jez took good care of you all and you enjoyed your day with them. I hope the rest of your cruise is just as good. All the best, Robertsons

Great tour of Lerwick

Carolyn_h, Aug 2025

Danny was friendly, knowledgeable and provided us with an amazing tour of the beautiful island of Lerwick. This tour was the perfect way to see so much the island in a short amount of time. I’d definitely recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Hi Carolyn, Thank you for touring Shetland with us and taking the time to leave this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your trip with Danny and have shared your kind words with him. I hope the rest of your trip was amazing. Safe travels, Robertsons

Puffins and Ponies! A Great Day!

Lea_L, Jul 2025

We had a wonderful day touring the island of Shetland with Neville. He was a wealth of knowledge about the island and had photos and maps and other information to show us along the way. We started the day with the ponies. Carol at Carol’s Ponies was the sweetest woman. She spent time talking to us about the ponies, their names, sizes, ages, etc. She was willing to answer any questions that we had. Along the way to the lighthouse to see the puffins, Neville took us to Jarlahof to see the prehistoric and Norse settlement. This was extremely interesting and was so beautiful. The puffins at the lighthouse were so awesome. My 19 year old son has always wanted to see puffins in the wild, and this day definitely did not disappoint. We were able to watch them up close (without disturbing them) and got amazing photos. They are truly the most adorable things. I would definitely recommend this tour for someone looking to get a tour of the island in a day and for anyone who loves puffins and ponies!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Hi Lea, Thank you so much for travelling with us and taking the time to leave this lovely, detailed review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your day, particularly the chance to see Shetland Ponies and puffins. I hope the rest of your trip was amazing. All the best, Robertsons

Beautiful island tour

Brenda_S, Jul 2025

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Hi Brenda, Thank you so much for travelling with us and taking the time to leave this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your tour with Danny and were able to see the highlights of Shetland. Good advice on dressing warmly- it does get a tad breezy! Pleased you had sunny skies though, it's all wind and rain today. Hope the rest of your trip was amazing. All the best, Robertsons

Our cruise was delayed...

megan_b, Jul 2025

Our cruise was delayed reaching port due to weather and our guide and driver were able to still give us a great tour avoiding the larger groups from the ship. She also was very knowledgeable and sincere in teaching us about Shetland. Best tour I’ve had so far.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Hi Megan, Thank you for touring with us and taking the time to leave this kind review. We're so pleased to hear you were able to enjoy your afternoon in Shetland despite your ship's delay and that Mandy & James gave you a great tour. I hope the rest of your cruise was amazing with no further hold ups! All the best Robertsons

Must do!!!

Don_B, Jun 2025

What an awesome time!!! Jacqueline and Sam were a fantastic team showing us everything Lerwick had to offer. One of our all time favorite tours, and we have done a lot of them!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Hi Don, Thank you for touring Shetland with us and taking the time to leave this great review. We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with Jacqueline and Sam and have shared your kind words with them. I hope the rest of your trip was just as good. Safe travels, Robertsons

Interesting Day

Sandra_Z, Jun 2025

Shirley was a great guide. We saw a bit of Lewrick as we drove out of town. We stopped to see Shetland ponies and learned interesting facts about them. It was raining but we still got a tour of Jarlshof prehistoric site. At the lighthouse we saw lots of puffins and lots of other birds. It was nice to get a hot drink there as well. We got a special musical treat on the way back to our ship, but I’ll let it be a surprise for you.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Hi Sandra, Thank you so much for travelling with us and taking the time to leave such a kind review. We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed your time in Shetland and have passed on your lovely feedback to Shirley- she really is a lady of many talents! Hope the rest of your cruise was just as good. All the best, Robertsons

Nice tour

Dove_R, Jun 2025

Very informative and comfortable. Our guide Jacqueline and driver Ian were like being with friends. Wonderful experience all around.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Hi Dove, Thanks so much for travelling with us and taking the time to leave this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your time in Shetland and have shared your kind words with Jacqueline & Ian. Enjoy the rest of your trip! Safe travels, Robertsons

Puffins, ponies and ruins

Howard_D, Jun 2025

A wonderful experience. Great tour guide, very knowledgeable, pleasant, and catered to our pace and interests. We enjoyed the excursion.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Hi Howard, Thank you for touring us and taking the time to leave this kind review. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day with Catherine and Dave. Hope the rest of your trip is just as good. All the best, Robertsons

Best tour ever!

Gregory_B, Jun 2025

Took us to places we were most interested in and allowed time we wanted. Very pleasant driver and host, charming and knowledgeable! The best time of our 2 weeks in Great Britain. Best tour ever!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Hi Gregory, Thank you for travelling with us and taking the time to leave this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your tour and day in Shetland and have passed your kind words onto your driver and guide. Hope the rest of your trip was amazing. Safe travels, Robertson's

Best Tour Ever.

Phillip_M, Jun 2025

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Hi Phillip, Thank you for touring with us and taking the time to leave this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your day in Shetland and that Shirley's fiddling was a highlight- she's got such talent! Thanks again and we'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Shirley & Sam. Safe travels, Robertson's

Island overview

Barb_K, Jun 2025

Excellent overview and history of the island and people. Ian and James, driver and guide were excellent, tailored the tour to audience interests. Added personal notes to make info real.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Hi Barb, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your day and will pass your kind words on to Ian & James. Thank you for travelling with us and I hope the rest of your trip was amazing. All the best, Robertson's

Beautiful Shetland Visit

Lori_B, Sep 2024

Our family of 6 (2 Seniors, 3 50somethings and a 26YO) thoroughly enjoyed our time in Shetland with our guide Neville and driver Eden. Visiting Carol’s Ponies was fantastic! These “tiny” animals were absolutely adorable! We loved petting them and learning about their history. Neville’s knowledge of Jarlshof (pre-historic and Norse settlement) was wonderful and very enlightening. We had a memorable day visiting the Shetland Isle and would definitely recommend the tour.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Hi Lori, Thank you so much for taking the time to review your experience. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your tour with us and have passed on your kind words to Neville. Thanks again, I hope the rest of your trip was just as good. All the best, Robertsons

Fabulous tour of the southern end of Shetland.

Kevin_L, Sep 2024

Our guide, Jackie, and our driver, Dave, were outstanding. We had a great time seeing many sights on the southern end of Shetland. Highlights were the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and Museum, the Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement, the Shetland Pony herd visit and talk, observing seals on Rerwick Beach, the lovely St. Inians Isle beach and the Mousa Broch overlook.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Hi Kevin, Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your tour and will ensure to pass your kind words on to Jackie and Dave. Thanks again, I hope the rest of your trip was just as good. All the best, Robertsons

perfect overview of shetland

terri_c, Aug 2024

This was really an amazing tour. Our ship got in late, but our host waited patiently for us, and I feel like we really got a good overview of the shetland islands and their history. and yes! we did get to pet shetland ponies! and we got to see puffins, which was one of the reasons we took this tour. The tour consisted of only our family, so our guide was flexible and made sure that he took us to the areas most interesting to us.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Hi Terri, Thank you so much for taking the time to post this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you had an enjoyable time. I hope the rest of your trip was just as good. All the best, Robertsons

Great Experience

Jeannette_S, Aug 2024

Well organized tour with interesting stops. Our guide was accommodating and friendly. Our driver was as much fun as the tour guide! We love our day. Loved seeing the Shetland ponies and cute puffins! Such a beautiful place to visit. If you want a good tour, good Guide an interesting places you must book this tour

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Good Afternoon, Thank you so much for taking the time to post this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your tour! I hope the rest of your trip was just as good. All the best, Robertsons

A great start to our Shetland holiday

Melissa_H, Aug 2024

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour! Hillary was a wonderful driver and we so loved learning about Shetland with Shirley. They were very welcoming and enjoyable! We saw puffins, ponies, seals, and learned about Shetland language and music. I recommend if you wish to learn about Shetland through the eyes of two fantastic women that love and know their country!

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Hi Meilssa, Thank you so much for taking the time to write this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your tour and have passed on your kind words to Hilary & Shirley. Thanks again, I hope the rest of your trip was just as good. All the best, Robertsons

The Puffins and the Ponies

Melvyn_k, Jul 2024

We loved the viewing of the Puffins and the Shetland ponies. That was the highlight of the trip. The ruins were very interesting our tour guide Drew was full of so much information about the history of the Norman site. Phil, our driver was very careful and felt very safe with his driving. Drew was a wonderful tour guide and would recommend him .

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Good Evening, Thank you so much for taking the time to post this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your tour and will be sure to pass on your kind words to Phil & Drew. I hope the rest of your trip was fantastic. Kind Regards Robertsons

Highly recommend!

Marla_M, Jul 2024

Amazing tour and wonderful day with our guides Margaret and Danny. They were so kind and took their time to make sure our experience was special. I would highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Hi Marla, Thank you for taking the time to post this lovely review. We're delighted you enjoyed your day and have passed on your kind words to Margaret and Danny. Thanks again Robertsons

Great day in the Shetland Islands

John_C, Jul 2024

Fantastic day of touring. Being in a small group allowed us to moved quickly and see all the highlights without too many cruise passengers around us. Peter was a fabulous tour guide and made the day special

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Hi John, Many thanks for taking the time to post this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your tour and have shared your kind words with Peter. All the best Robertsons

Amazing day in and around Lerwick

stephaniemueck, Jul 2024

Without question, the best tour our group has ever done. Shirley and Darren were amazing story-tellers who love their homeland. Our day ended with Shirley playing the fiddle and reading a poem in the old Shetland dialect. We felt so connected to Shetland … if only for a day.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Hi Stephanie, Many thanks for taking the time to post this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your time in Shetland with us, Shirley is famous for her fiddle! I've shared your kind words with her and Darren. Thanks again, I hope the rest of your trip was just as good. All the best Robertsons

Don't miss the Puffins!!!

Andrew_L, Jul 2024

Puffins were amazing!! Ponies were great also. Hilary and Paula were amazing - took us to wonderful places and had lots of information.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Hi Andrew, Many thanks for taking the time to post this lovely review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed your tour with us and have shared your kind words with Hilary & Paula. Thanks again and safe travels, Robertsons

We saw the puffins!!

Marvin_H, Jun 2024

Both Neville, our guide, and Sonya, our driver, were spectacular. Both were knowledgeable and very responsive to our needs! Highly recommended.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Hi Marvin, Thank you for taking the time to review your tour. We're delighted you had a good time and got to see the puffins. I hope the rest of your cruise was great. Robertsons

We saw everything we wanted to see.

James_M, Jun 2024

Our guide was excellent, as was our driver. They were obviously proud of their island and anxious to show it to us. They added a few stops to make sure we got as much out of our tour as possible. Excellent job.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Hi James, Thank you for taking the time to post a review. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour. Thanks again, Robertsons

Best experience of Shetland

Julie_L, Jun 2024

This was the best experience in Shetland! Our guide, Julie and our driver, Brydone were amazing!!! Julie shared the history of the island and the pride she has in her island is evident. Our group loved the personal attention from this private tour. Being able to ask questions and not feel rushed made it even better. We went to a private farm where Carol shared about Shetland ponies. We were able to pet them. Jarlshof was amazing! Seeing ruins from the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Nordic times was inspiring. Julie explained so much about the history, the importance of these findings and even why they are so well preserved. Highly recommend. The lighthouse was amazing, but the best part was seeing the Puffins. Julie then also took us to a beach in Shetland that was so spectacular. We also saw seals. The tour company was so responsive to questions prior to booking and right before we were picked up. This was perfect for our group of 6, and recommend them if you are in Shetland.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Hi Julie, Thank you for taking the time to post such a kind review. We're delighted you enjoyed your tour and have shared your feedback with Brydone & Julie. I hope the rest of your trip was just as good. All the best Robertsons

Fantastic Shetland tour

Carl_M, May 2024

Hilary and Shirley were fantastic hosts during our tour. Both very friendly and made us feel very welcome indeed. The information and commentary was very interesting and they both made sure that we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The minibus was very spacious and driven very well by Hilary. Shirley entertained us with her Fiddle playing and poem reciting in Shetland language. We saw loads of Puffins, Gannets and Razor Bill's amongst others. Carols talk about her Shetland Ponies was very informative and interesting. At no stage did we feel rushed and I will certainly be recommending the tour to our friends. Thank you for a great tour Carl & Lara

Response from Host, May 2024

Hi Carl, Thank you so much for taking the time to review your tour. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and have passed this great feedback onto Hilary & Shirley- they make a great team! Thanks again and I hope the rest of your cruise is just as good. Robertsons

Wonderful tour

gnapfam, May 2024

Shirley was a great guide, knew and shared everything the whole time. She played her fiddle on the way back which tied it all together. Great excursion. The title is exactly what we got.

Response from Host, May 2024

Good Afternoon, Thank you so much for taking the time to review your tour. We're delighted that you enjoyed your visit to Shetland and have shared this lovely feedback with Shirley- she's wonderful! I hope the rest of your cruise was excellent. Robertsons

Best trip to Giants Causeway

Karleen_M, May 2024

Paul was an excellent guide. He answered all our questions, explained everything, and showed us all we wanted and then some bonus sites.

Response from Host, May 2024

Hi Karleen, Thank you for your review and I hope you had a great time on your Shetland tour. I would just like to point out, in case any future customers are confused, that this review is not for our tour and we do not offer trips to the Giant's Causeway. Robertsons

The Shetlands with Edna was Great

Mark_M, May 2024

Last week, 6 of us took this private tour from the cruise port at Lerwick. Edna was our guide for the day and she was an enchanting and fantastic guide. She is a native Shetlander and knows everyone and everything about it and it’s history. She shared so many captivating stories, many of which involved her family. What a tremendous day to see the Shetland Islands!! The only area that could have been improved was they didn’t have a microphone for her and it was difficult to hear in the back seat of the minivan while driving. Overall, we had such an enjoyable day with her and really loved this tour!!!

Response from Host, May 2024

Hi Mark, Thank you for taking the time to review your tour with us. We're delighted to hear you had an enjoyable expeirence and will of course share this lovely feedback with Edna. Thank you for your comment on the lack of microphones- we have ordered some for future tours. I hope the rest of your cruise was great. All the best, Robertsons