BIRDLIFE OF THE SHETLAND ISLANDS

WITH PHOTOGRAPHER TOM DYRING

COUNTRY: Scotland PHOTO: Bird DURATION: 7 days DATES: June 23-29 2027 MIN/MAX PARTICIPANT: 8/12

During several trips to the Shetland Islands, I have experienced incredible birdlife, with puffins, diving gannets, and the world-famous Hermaness reserve, home to gannets and many other seabirds, all at very close range.

Tom Dyring

The Shetland Islands are a dream destination for bird photographers, where dramatic landscapes provide a spectacular backdrop for capturing some of the world’s most iconic birds. Here, you can photograph everything from the charming puffin to majestic gannets diving into the cold Atlantic waters. The islands’ steep cliffs are home to thousands of birds, including guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, and great skuas – a true paradise for bird photography.

Now you have the opportunity to join photographer Tom Dyring on an exclusive bird photography tour to the Shetland Islands. One of the highlights of the trip is the days we spend at the world-famous Hermaness National Nature Reserve, known for its impressive colonies of gannets. Here, on the dramatic cliffs, you’ll have the chance to photograph these birds up close in their natural environment.

At Sumburgh Head and on the island of Noss, we will photograph puffins, and during a boat trip you’ll have the opportunity to capture unique action shots of gannets diving for fish in the cold, crystal-clear waters.

Tom Dyring will be with you throughout the entire journey, offering personal guidance and helping you develop as a photographer. Through inspiring talks, detailed field guidance, and constructive image critique, he will share his best tips and techniques and helping you capture the beauty of nature in new ways. This trip will provide you with valuable tools to take your photography skills to the next level.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

The beautiful and dramatic landscapes of the Shetland Islands
Photograph puffins in spectacular scenery at Sumburgh Head and on the island of Noss
The world-famous gannet colonies and stunning seabird cliffs at Hermaness National Nature Reserve
Boat trips including opportunities to photograph diving gannets
Thousands of breeding birds including guillemots, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, black guillemots, great skuas, and gannets
Small group size allowing for individual time with Tom Dyring
Full participation of Tom Dyring throughout the trip
Lectures and workshops led by Tom Dyring

BOOKING

COUNTRY: Scotland PHOTO: Bird DURATION: 7 days DATES: June 23-29 2027 MIN/MAX PARTICIPANTS: 8/12

BIRDLIFE OF THE SHETLAND ISLANDS

WITH PHOTOGRAPHER TOM DYRING

During several trips to the Shetland Islands, I have experienced incredible birdlife, with puffins, diving gannets, and the world-famous Hermaness reserve—home to gannets and many other seabirds—all at very close range.

Tom Dyring

The Shetland Islands are a dream destination for bird photographers, where dramatic landscapes provide a spectacular backdrop for capturing some of the world’s most iconic birds. Here, you can photograph everything from the charming puffin to majestic gannets diving into the cold Atlantic waters. The islands’ steep cliffs are home to thousands of birds, including guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, and great skuas – a true paradise for bird photography.

Now you have the opportunity to join photographer Tom Dyring on an exclusive bird photography tour to the Shetland Islands. One of the highlights of the trip is the days we spend at the world-famous Hermaness National Nature Reserve, known for its impressive colonies of gannets. Here, on the dramatic cliffs, you’ll have the chance to photograph these birds up close in their natural environment.

At Sumburgh Head and on the island of Noss, we will photograph puffins, and during a boat trip you’ll have the opportunity to capture unique action shots of gannets diving for fish in the cold, crystal-clear waters.

Tom Dyring will be with you throughout the entire journey, offering personal guidance and helping you develop as a photographer. Through inspiring talks, detailed field guidance, and constructive image critique, he will share his best tips and techniques—helping you capture the beauty of nature in new ways. This trip will provide you with valuable tools to take your photography skills to the next level.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

The beautiful and dramatic landscapes of the Shetland Islands
Photograph puffins in spectacular scenery at Sumburgh Head and on the island of Noss
The world-famous gannet colonies and stunning seabird cliffs at Hermaness National Nature Reserve
Boat trips including opportunities to photograph diving gannets
Thousands of breeding birds including guillemots, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, black guillemots, great skuas, and gannets
Small group size allowing for individual time with Tom Dyring
Full participation of Tom Dyring throughout the trip
Lectures and workshops led by Tom Dyring

BOOKING

THE SHETLAND ISLANDS

The Shetland Islands are a Scottish archipelago located between the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, northeast of the United Kingdom, between the Orkney Islands, the Faroe Islands, and Norway. The islands consist of several hundred islands, islets, and skerries, of which only 16 are inhabited today. The total area is 1,445 km², with a combined coastline of around 500 km. Most of the population lives on the main island, Mainland. On its eastern side lies Lerwick, which has been the archipelago’s main town since the 18th century. The Shetland Islands have a population of around 23,000 people, about 7,500 of whom live in Lerwick. Locals often refer to their islands as “The Old Rock” – a fitting name, as the bedrock, like that of Greenland, is among the oldest in the world, formed more than 2,000 million years ago.

Nature and wildlife— including Shetland ponies, 300,000 sheep, and over a million birds, with around 300,000 puffins—attract photographers from all over the world. During the breeding season, from April to August, the sea cliffs and coastal meadows are teeming with life. For bird photographers, this is a true paradise offering unforgettable experiences. Thousands of guillemots, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, and gannets nest along the cliffs. On the moorlands, you may spot great skuas, Arctic skuas, Eurasian curlews, and whimbrels, while oystercatchers can be seen on the meadows. In the sea, eiders swim, and in the lakes you’ll find various ducks and red-throated divers.

Birds are everywhere, but some locations stand out in particular—such as Hermaness National Nature Reserve on the northernmost island of Unst, and Sumburgh Head at the southern tip of Mainland.

ITINERARY

JUNE 23-29, 2027

NOTE! As the weather in the Shetland Islands is highly changeable and can shift from sunshine to rain within just a few hours, the program—especially boat trips—may be adjusted. This is done to ensure you get the best possible photography opportunities. The weather will also determine when we schedule image editing sessions, photo critiques, and lectures.

DAY 1, (JUNE 23) – ARRIVAL. BIRDS AT SUMBURGH HEAD
We meet at the Sumburgh Hotel near the airport in the afternoon, where you will be welcomed by Tom Dyring and a representative from Zoom Photo Tours.

Our journey begins with an inspiring presentation by Tom, introducing us to the world of bird photography. Using images from some of the locations we will visit during the trip, he will share what to consider in order to develop as a photographer. After the presentation, dinner will be served at the hotel.

Afterwards, we head out to Sumburgh Head and its dramatic landscapes to photograph puffins at close range. They often sit along the cliff edges, creating stunning compositions with rugged cliffs and the deep blue sea stretching towards the horizon as a backdrop. As the sun begins to set and we’ve had our first taste of the photographic opportunities ahead, we return to the hotel.(M)

DAY 2, (JUNE 24) – DIVING GANNETS
After photographing the iconic puffins in the soft morning light and enjoying a good breakfast, it’s time to head towards the town of Lerwick.

By boat, we leave the harbor in Lerwick for one of the highlights of the trip—the west side of Noss, where around 15,000 gannets nest. Out on the rolling sea, you’ll have the chance to photograph the dramatic cliffs from a completely new perspective, with some plunging hundreds of meters straight down into the Atlantic Ocean. Up close, we capture the spectacular moment as gannets plunge-dive into the water to catch fish. Tom Dyring will be with you throughout the boat trip, offering guidance on how to best capture the birds’ movement as they dive into the waves.

Back in Lerwick, there will be time for lunch on your own before we return to the hotel for dinner and evening photography at Sumburgh Head. (B, D)

DAY 3, (JUNE 25) – NOSS NATURE RESERVE
After breakfast, we check out and head towards the island of Noss. Following a short drive, we meet the ranger from Noss National Nature Reserve, who takes us across to the island by zodiac boat.

Upon arrival, an incredible photographic adventure awaits. As we reach the steep cliffs, we are greeted by a stunning seascape, large numbers of puffins, and thousands of nesting gannets. In addition to excellent opportunities to get close to puffins, the dramatic cliffs and seabird colonies offer completely new photographic perspectives.

In the late afternoon, we continue to the northern part of Mainland, where we check in at Brae Hotel for four nights. In the evening, we will have image editing sessions and photo critiques.

DAY 4, (JUNE 26) – YELL
After breakfast, we head to Yell, one of the largest islands in the Shetland Islands. The island attracts visitors with its rolling, untouched grasslands stretching down to long sandy beaches, as well as its fascinating birdlife. For bird photographers, Yell is a dream destination.

Here, among the island’s dramatic cliffs, you’ll have the chance to capture the colorful beak of the black guillemot against the rugged coastline. Colonies of fulmars and gulls provide endless photographic opportunities, while the wild nature offers new and unforgettable moments every day.

In the evening, we review the day’s images, and Tom Dyring provides constructive image critique. (B, L, D)

DAY 5–6, (JUNE 27–28) – HERMANESS NATIONAL RESERVE
During these days, our destination is the northernmost island of the Shetland Islands—Unst—and the renowned Hermaness National Nature Reserve. With its vast colonies of gannets, Hermaness offers an extraordinary birdlife experience. Overlooking Muckle Flugga, the northernmost point of the United Kingdom, this reserve is home to thousands of seabirds.

After approximately an hour’s walk through grassy moorland, we reach the western cliffs, where large numbers of seabirds—including fulmars, gulls, around 20,000 pairs of gannets, puffins, and kittiwakes—nest. This is truly a paradise for bird photographers.

The area is famous for its massive gannet colonies. Along the cliff edges, seabirds gather in incredible numbers, offering endless photographic opportunities. As on previous days, Tom Dyring will be on hand to provide personal guidance and help you develop as a photographer. When the opportunity arises and the right subjects appear, Tom will also lead hands-on sessions, sharing his approach to image-making in the field.

Back at our hotel, we enjoy dinner and discuss the day’s photographic highlights. On the final evening, you will submit two images for the competition for the best photo of the trip. After dinner, Tom will select the “Image of the Trip,” and the winning photo will automatically qualify for the финals of the “Photo of the Year 2027” competition. (B, L, D)

DAY 7, (JUNE 29) – DEPARTURE
On our final day, we head south towards Sumburgh, where we explore the southern part of the island in search of species such as whimbrel, red-throated diver, and endemic subspecies like the Shetland wren. You will also have the opportunity to photograph the iconic Shetland pony, often very photogenic and allowing us to get close for great images. Afterwards, we continue to the airport for your onward journey home, with travel arrangements on your own. (B, L)

789364_f4333f01573e4f75acc03f2f378553f9mv2

789364_7a002d163c434da4befbe3f361779b41mv2-1

Here you can read more about the program for the seven days on the Shetland Islands.

JUNE 23-29, 2027

NOTE! As the weather in the Shetland Islands is highly changeable and can shift from sunshine to rain within just a few hours, the program—especially boat trips—may be adjusted. This is done to ensure you get the best possible photography opportunities. The weather will also determine when we schedule image editing sessions, photo critiques, and lectures.

AY 1, (JUNE 23) – ARRIVAL. BIRDS AT SUMBURGH HEAD
We meet at the Sumburgh Hotel near the airport in the afternoon, where you will be welcomed by Tom Dyring and a representative from Zoom Photo Tours.

Our journey begins with an inspiring presentation by Tom, introducing us to the world of bird photography. Using images from some of the locations we will visit during the trip, he will share what to consider in order to develop as a photographer. After the presentation, dinner will be served at the hotel.

Afterwards, we head out to Sumburgh Head and its dramatic landscapes to photograph puffins at close range. They often sit along the cliff edges, creating stunning compositions with rugged cliffs and the deep blue sea stretching towards the horizon as a backdrop. As the sun begins to set and we’ve had our first taste of the photographic opportunities ahead, we return to the hotel.(M)

DAY 2, ((JUNE 24) – DIVING GANNETS
After photographing the iconic puffins in the soft morning light and enjoying a good breakfast, it’s time to head towards the town of Lerwick.

By boat, we leave the harbor in Lerwick for one of the highlights of the trip—the west side of Noss, where around 15,000 gannets nest. Out on the rolling sea, you’ll have the chance to photograph the dramatic cliffs from a completely new perspective, with some plunging hundreds of meters straight down into the Atlantic Ocean. Up close, we capture the spectacular moment as gannets plunge-dive into the water to catch fish. Tom Dyring will be with you throughout the boat trip, offering guidance on how to best capture the birds’ movement as they dive into the waves.

Back in Lerwick, there will be time for lunch on your own before we return to the hotel for dinner and evening photography at Sumburgh Head. (B, D)