Shetland is made up of more than 100 islands but just 15 are actually inhabited by humans. About 24,000 people live here, way outnumbered by the bird life and even the sheep!

The islands are actually nearer Norway than the capital of Scotland. Like Orkney, it has close Norse links and were part of the Norse empire until 1472.  

Lerwick, the main town, houses the Shetland Museum, which gives a good background to the turbulent history of the islands. 

Boats trips are a great way to see the rich wildlife on Shetland. There's over 9,000 seals around the Islands' coastline but otters, dolphins and even porpoises have also been spotted here. 

And there's also plenty of the islands' unique Shetland ponies. These tiny horses look like they roam wild and free but are carefully looked after by crofters.

Sheep,  of which there are 330,000, supply the islands with a useful industry -Shetland jumpers, shawls and the distinctive pattern of the Fair Isle sweaters. 

The area is a good place to see one of the world's most incredible phenomenons- Aurora Borealis - more commonly known at the Northern Lights.

These shimmering lights in the sky - thought to be caused by electrons and protons from the sun - can give off spectacular luminous skies of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet.