Landing in Shetland is like flying through the wardrobe into a Scandi-Celtic ‘Narnia’. Such is the contrast between life down south and a corner of Britain that’s geographically, and in many ways culturally, closer to Bergen than Edinburgh.

Whether Shetland makes you think North Sea oil, Jimmy Perez or sea otters, this beautiful sub-arctic archipelago is remarkably accessible to ‘soothmoothers’ (southerners) – and the welcome is as warm as Up Helly Aa’s bonfires!

Long daylight and stunning sunsets
Long daylight, stunning sunsets and often-good weather make July and August great for visiting. A car helps with exploring, so pre-book with helpful family-run Bolts, then head for your accommodation on the excellent roads that oil paid for. For self-catering, try Coo Grind (Hamnavoe) or cosy turf-roofed Millogordi (Uradale, near Scalloway) – in the capital, Lerwick, maybe somewhere like Westhall B&B or Kveldsro House.

Whether you stay in town or just visit, sights include the harbour, Shetland Museum and ‘Shetland’ filming locations. Modest distances and good inter-island connections mean almost everywhere else in Shetland is day trippable. Walking is outstanding and wildlife is prolific – feel privileged if you see elusive otters!

Beautiful beaches and blue water
Pristine white-sand beaches and blue water abound. Try Lerwick’s Sands of Sound, Burramin and Meal on West Burra or the impressive St Ninians Isle tombolo for starters. For majestic cliffs, visit Eshaness on Northmavine. Alternatively, explore Hermaness and see Muckle Flugga lighthouse on Shetland’s most northerly island, Unst.

History buffs mustn’t miss Mousa’s Iron Age Broch and Sumburgh’s Norse Jarlshof settlement. And for near-ultimate remoteness, visit windswept Fair Isle (pop. 60) – another birder’s heaven and home to a renaissance in Fair Isle knitwear led by ‘incomer’ Mati Ventrillon.

Holidays demand culinary indulgence and Shetland welcomes all palates. From Lerwick’s town-centre Fort Café or Gurkha Kitchen Nepalese restaurant, to stylish Scalloway Hotel and Frankies’ award-winning chippie in Brae, you’ll eat well. Shetland seafood is superb (self-caterers visit Scalloway’s Blydoit Fish), as is delicious organic lamb and beef from crofters such as Uradale’s Ronnie Eunson – featured on BBC’s ‘Countryfile’, ‘On Your Farm’ and many Shetland menus.

Like the puffins, you’ll return
Shetland may be compact but it offers so many experiences. Too soon, you’ll be leaving. But not before visiting Sumburgh Head’s puffins to see them before they fly off in early August. If you miss them, they’ll return, and so, I’m sure, will you. Shetland has that effect on ‘soothmoothers’!