PROMOTE SHETLAND

Shetland is one of the best places in Europe to see bird life and sea mammals. For bird-watchers, Shetland is a paradise, from the puffins at Sumburgh Head to Fetlar's tiny, rare red-necked phalaropes and two of the UK's largest gannet colonies, on the steep cliffs of Noss and around Hermaness, on the northernmost edge of the country. The gannets come for the same reason as the fishermen - great shoals of herring and mackerel... Shetland is also home to the highest density of otters in Europe, and possibly the world. Even though they're wary of humans, they can be spotted around the islands and are often seen around ferry terminals. Grey and common seals are a more common sight, and little heads bobbing in the water will often follow walkers round headlands on coastal jaunts. The sheer number of seals is the primary reason for another of Shetland's regular visitors: orcas, which are seen through the year, but especially in June and July, when the seals are having pups. Humpbacks and..

Also known as: Shetland

Primary location: Lerwick United Kingdom