Just off the east coast of Shetland lies Mousa, an isle uninhabited by humans, but home to seals and sea birds. If you are lucky you might see a harbour porpoise on the short ferry crossing and, for a few short weeks in the summer, there are night time trips to see and hear thousands of storm petrels nesting in an ancient broch. If the tide is out when you arrive back at the pier in Sandwick the stony beach is brilliant for rockpooling too. (Note that in 2011 repairs are taking place so a different pier is being used.)

www.mousa.co.uk
+44(0)1950 431 367
Google map: bit.ly/mapT6A

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It may be tiny, but this Shetland island has a population of thousands - birds, that is. Species include 45,000 guillemots, 7000 pairs of gannets and fulmars, kittiwakes and puffins galore. Visit in early summer when the puffins hatch out of their burrows in such numbers that you have to be careful not to step on them.

Travel across from the larger island of Bressay in an inflatable boat.

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Foula wears its five-thousand-year history on its sleeve, and has survived centuries of depopulation and underpopulation until today it is one of the most isolated communities to be found anywhere in Europe.

Located about twenty miles west of Shetland Mainland, in the wilds of the North Atlantic, Foula is THE ideal getaway spot for people who love landscapes, flowers, birds, cetacean life - and who don't hanker for crowds or pubs or fancy restaurants or even shops (because Foula has none of those!)

As well as the highest cliffs in occupied Britain (over a quarter of a mile of vertical rock!), Foula is a delight to walk and explore, and its tiny population of under 30 residents make you feel very much at home. I've been travelling for over thirty years, have visited more than forty countries - and would go back to Foula again in a heartbeat.

For general information go to the Shetland Tourist Board:

www.visitshetland.com

More specific Foula information is here: www.foulaheritage.org.uk/

For a wonderful croft B&B in the stunning north part of the island, contact Isobel Holbourn at 01595 753233; Isobel also has a delightful little cottage available for self-catering holidays.

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