Let me plan your Shetland adventure!

Planning a holiday is hard. That’s why I’m here, to remove the pressure off planning and to take the stress away from planning that perfect trip.

"Visitors want to have the best experience; they want to see the islands through the eyes of a local. They want to taste the salt on their faces, smell the sea and bear witness to the wind in their hair. They want to drink in the sights, the smells and the sounds of an island community. They dream of hidden places they would otherwise not discover. They want to piece together the fascinating jigsaw and truly discover Shetland; this is the trip they have dreamed of."

With extensive experience planning itineraries in Shetland and Orkney, let me take the reigns and give you the trip of a lifetime.

Whether you’re travelling solo, as a family or a larger group, I can put together a travel itinerary to suit your needs. Or perhaps you’re travelling with a motorhome or tent but can’t figure out ferries, campsites and routes. Let me do that for you while you sit back and dream of the north!

Please note that I am not a travel agency, and I do not book flights or accommodation

What does a TRAVEL CONSULTATION look like?

  • 1-hour Zoom call where I get to know you and what you are looking for

  • A recording of the call to refer back to

  • A document with all the notes and suggestions from our call — I will help you plan the best itinerary for your time in Shetland

  • Cost: 100 GBP

Why book a TRAVEL CONSULTATION?

  • We all live busy lives, and I know how time-consuming and stressful it can be to research and plan that perfect trip, as I’ve forged a career doing just that!

  • I’m an accredited tour guide and have been planning tours and itineraries since 2018

  • As a local, I know where to visit, where to eat, where to stay and how to make the most of the limited time you have

  • I understand the inter-island ferry timetables in Orkney and Shetland and appreciate that these can resemble the Enigma Code to those outside the islands!

  • I can advise on the plans you already have and make suggestions about timings and whether you are allowing too much or too little time in certain areas

“One of the dilemmas of living in the Information Age is actually having too much information.  That’s where working with a travel professional like Laurie, with her lifelong knowledge of Shetland, makes all the difference.  Laurie’s Itinerary Planning service was exactly what I was looking for to help plan our visit to Shetland.  Not only is Laurie extremely knowledgeable and familiar with all aspects of travel and tourism in Shetland, she’s very personable and a pleasure to speak with.  She took the time to understand our interests and then tailored her recommendations to include those activities and destinations that were important to us.  Her day-by-day suggestions gave us what we needed to build a detailed daily schedule with the flexibility to pick and choose among the activities that we were most interested in.  I highly recommend working with Laurie if you’re dreaming of a trip to Shetland!”

Greg P (New Jersey, USA)

What might be included in the consultation?

  • Suggestions for places to eat and stay

  • Suggested trips, tours and experiences

  • Suggested places to stay if you want to explore the islands

  • Ferry times and details about timings for driving between ferries

  • Suggested walks and hikes, including difficulty and times

  • Suggestions about what to pack

  • Local tips for each area, including places to visit, things to see and do

  • Personalised suggestions depending on the needs of you as an individual or group

Group bookings 

I plan itineraries for larger groups. These are tailor-made depending on the group's requirements. I can book all transport (within Shetland), as well as book trips, tours, guides and meals.

I LOVE working with groups of 12-50 people and will work with you to ensure that your group has the best experience while here. Whether you are coming for a day or a week, I can tailor a fun-filled itinerary to suit your requirements.

  • "We are so fortunate that Laurie spent the day with us touring the South Mainland. We saw so many things and had so much fun! She was very responsive to our requests, and made terrific suggestions about which sights to choose. Laurie is extremely well versed in the history and geology of the islands, and she's also a good listener who provided informed answers to our many questions. A definite highlight was our tour of Jarlshof, where Laurie's narration helped us to imagine the many lives intertwined there. Our day with Laurie was a high point of our time in Shetland! Thanks, Laurie."

  • "My friend and I booked a full day tour of the South Island with Laurie. She was extremely knowlegable about the history of the island and was also a lot of FUN!! This was a great way to see many sights and learn more about Shetland."

  • "I was so grateful to have Laurie as my solo tour guide for two days. The first day we toured the northern areas with the cliffs and then the southern areas on the next day. Having grown up in and studied the Islands she is THE expert and can tell you about the geology of the islands and the long history. She is also great fun and a good person to spend a couple of days with. I cannot be thankful enough for my time with Laurie on the beautiful Shetlands."

  • "Husband and I had Laurie take us on a walking tour on our last day in Shetland. She took us all over Lerwick and then some. She was very knowledgeable, sweet and helpful! And we love her! Would definitely come back for more..."

  • "Brilliant week night tour with Laurie who is so knowledgeable in what she does. Despite living in Shetland a long time I learnt so much about where we live. Fully enjoyable evening whilst also enjoying the simmer dim and fresh air. Would definitely recommend this activity whether you are a visitor or Shetland resident. Good value for money!"

  • "I decided to on a walking tour in Lerwick with Laurie after having lived here for almost 10 years. It was excellent. I thought the place but Laurie showed me so many details I had no idea about. Local guide who is passionate about her job. Plenty information, always time for questions and an unrushed experience all way through. Highly recommend Laurie."

  • "Laurie took us to the northern reaches of Mainland and was the perfect guide. She is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, friendly and funny. She’s a good driver, too! We had a totally delightful day in her company. I’m sure you will, too."

  • "It was an absolute pleasure touring around Shetland with Laurie -- she knows the islands inside and out and has such a vast understanding of the unique culture and history of Shetland. On top of that, she is such a lovely and pleasant person -- I can't imagine a better tour and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for the ultimate Shetland experience! Thanks Laurie!"

  • "So enjoyed this 2 hour interesting historical walking tour of Lerwick. Highly recommend! Thank you Laurie!"

  • "Superb tour. Laurie was very knowledgable and has an excellent manner. The tour was full of interesting information and history was really brought to life. She answered any questions clearly. A highly engaging way to learn about Lerwicks' past, would thoroughly recommend this tour for locals and visitors alike."