Shetland Way would take hikers across the islands

Plans have been unveiled to create a new walking route running for 79 miles from north to south along the spine of Shetland.

The ‘Shetland Way’ would use existing core paths and tracks, take in sections of old roads and lead hikers on new routes and walkways as they traverse across the islands from top to bottom.

The plan, which is being backed by VisitScotland, Shetland Islands Council and Scottish Natural Heritage, would link the islands together in one route with walkers visiting the mainland and Yell before finishing the route on Unst.

Walkers can expect to encounter Puffins

But first funding is needed - and one path has already been closed off.  There were hopes that the project could have attracted money from the Islands Deal proposed by the UK and Scottish governments which would aim to drive growth in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.

VisitScotland’s island manager for Shetland Steve Mathieson, however, said the project is not suitable for such funding at this time - and the groups involved now looking at other ways of taking it forward.

Possible funding streams could include the Scottish Government’s rural tourism infrastructure, which recently awarded £300,000 for the construction of an elevated board walk, the provision of toilets and a sheltered interpretation point at Hermaness in Unst.

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Mr Mathieson said it would “link the islands’ considerable natural, cultural and community assets and enhancing Shetland’s reputation for world class visitor experiences”.

He added: “The main aim of developing a long-distance walking route is to attract more visitors, encourage them to stay longer and see more of Shetland,” he explained.

“As evidenced by all research, including the 2013 and 2017 Island Visitor Surveys, the main attraction for visitors to Shetland is the landscape and the main activity is walking.

“This proposal would combine the two and provide visitors and residents alike with the opportunity for a spectacular, healthy, eco-friendly experience.”

Hidden coves and miles of beaches can be found on the archipelago

The route could begin on the Shetland mainland at Sumburgh Head and head north to Hermaness, stopping at visitor hubs along the way.

The plan would see the route divided into daily walkable sections, giving walkers access to attractions, accommodation, facilities and shops.

Shetland is famous for its untamed coastline of dramatic cliffs and wild seas, and along the way hikers would be able to see some of Britain's highest cliffs, hundreds of sea caves, wide-open sandy bays, miles of beaches, dozens of sheltered sea lochs - known locally as 'voes' - and even salt marshes and sand dunes.

The archipelago  is also speckled with ancient ruins, isolated villages and 19 ‘Marilyns’ - hills that rise to more than 500 feet.

Shetland is made up of around 100 islands, and although the Way would be based on a linear spine route running north-south, the plan could also see additional routes incorporating all the inhabited isles.

Proposed large wind farm developments could be one problem to the plans for a long footpath, especially in the central mainland, but Mr Mathieson said that energy firms are aware of the project and are willing to cater for public access.

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However, Mr Mathieson stressed that the Shetland Way project was just a plan at present, and if funding was secured then it could be created in stages.

Established long-distance walking routes have been growing in popularity in recent years, as people take to the outdoors in ver greater numbers.

The 96-mile West Highland Way from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William is hugely popular with walkers, bringing a boost to the local economy as a result, and it is thought that Shetland’s landscape could work for a similar project.

Meanwhile, the 64-mile Fife Pilgrim Way re-opened to the public in July this year after extensive development and upgrading at a cost of almost half a million pounds.

The first new long-distance trail to open in the Kingdom since the Fife Coastal Path in 2002, it follows a route from the Firth of Forth to St Andrews Cathedral and has been mapped out as closely as possible to mirror the path taken in medieval times.

The path would take in ancient ruins such as Jarlshoff 

Shetland Amenity Trust chief executive Mat Roberts, meanwhile, said this week that the organisation had its own proposal for the islands deal turned down.

He said the trust looked for support for plans to have Jarlshof, Mousa and Old Scatness become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Negotiations on an islands deal have been ongoing for a number of years as government looks to extend growth deals already established in certain cities and regions to the Scottish islands.

A Scottish Government spokesman: “The islands growth deal will unlock investment and drive inclusive growth across Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.

“The deal will form the basis of the next phase of the islands’ collaboration which will build on the successful ‘Our Islands Our Future’ campaign they commenced in 2013."