5 of the best things about Shetland in June

1. The wildflowers

Shetland is an excellent place to see wildflowers, and June’s blooms are putting on their best show as roadsides, ditches, and meadows become a riot of vibrant colours.

Much of the reason why Shetland is so flower-rich lies in the rocks beneath our feet and the unique geology that makes up the islands. Geologically complicated, Shetland’s landscape varies hugely from place to place, with each area hosting a unique environment for the plants that grow. Sites such as the Keen of Hamar and Ronas Hill boast plants so rare or endemic, in the case of the Keen of Hamar, that they can only be found in a few places across the globe.

But for me, June is about the blazes of hot pinks, vibrant yellows and soft whites that provide a cornucopia of colour at this time of year.

Poet Vagaland sums up Shetland’s wildflowers beautifully in verse:

My gairden rins for seventy miles
Fae Soombra Head ta Skaw;
Der no a brig fae isle ta isle,
Der no a gairden-waa.

Bit aa da wye fae Sooth ta Nort,
Fae Aest ta Wast fir miles
Ye’ll fin da wild flooers growin ta mak
A gairdin o da Isles.

My favourites are the thrift, red campion, orchids, cotton grass, marsh marigolds and squill – and it’s these that are bringing a vibrant and colourful palette to the landscape after a dormant winter.

2. The seabirds

By June, the annual pilgrimage of the seabirds is completed and the cliffs are alive with thousands of breeding birds providing a raucous cacophony of noise. Their return is a reassurance that, despite everything, the cyclical processes that guide the natural world continue regardless of the external world.

Shetland is a birder's paradise, with over one million nesting seabirds returning to their noisy colonies every summer, breeding on cliffs, moors, beaches and, even within the walls of a 2,000-year-old broch, their return is a welcome sight after a long winter.

My favourite seabirds to watch in June are the puffins (Tammie Nories) and Arctic terns (tirricks). For me, the sound of the tirrick is the sound of summer in Shetland.

3. The daylight

Known as the simmer dim, or ‘twilight of a Shetland evening’, the period around midsummer is an incredible time to spend in the isles. Think of it as a sensory overload; with milky skies, the scent of the wildflowers and the gently salted air combining with the sounds of seabirds, new life and an urgency to get out and make the most of this time of almost perpetual daylight.

It’s a period of hope and optimism; throughout June, the days are still lengthening, and the promise of summer being ‘just around the corner’ is keenly felt by everyone living here.

I wrote more about the importance of the simmer dim last year and noted that there was something bittersweet about midsummer. For me, I feel that the whole year leads up to this point; the anticipation of the lightest day and the life it brings, and then, just like that, the coin flips, the switch is turned, and we’re looking down the barrel into the dark. When you live in a land of extremes, of darkness and light, the passing of midsummer means that it’s time to psyche ourselves up for the approach of the darker days as the summer slips away. This is why, for me, June carries so much weight; we’re still on the metaphorical uphill trajectory of light!

4. The midges

It seems somewhat counterintuitive to include these on a list of the best things about Shetland in June, but bear with me; there is a method in the madness...

A midge is a tiny flying insect, famous to Scotland, and one that we try not to talk about but that guests invariably ask about. Their bite is harmless and will only cause you annoyance, but they can (and do) ruin an otherwise pleasant walk, picnic or camping trip, and when one midge graces you with its presence, thousands of its friends will join in the party!

Midges are generally worse later in the summer, and although you may still experience them in June, on the whole, they’re less likely to be a problem as we move through June.

Midges are most prevalent in heathery hills and beside lochs or burns. They are a serious annoyance and, in June, you can be assured that they are less likely to bite!

5. The sea

Whether you’re in the sea or just out on the open water, the sea in June has a special pull. Whether that be on a boat trip, a kayak, or just taking a coastal walk, getting out on the water is a relaxing way to while away an evening. The water temperatures are still cool (average 10.5℃), so for those who are not feeling hardy enough to swim without skins, a wetsuit is a good idea.

A beachside barbecue is a perfect way to enjoy the sights and sounds of Shetland – providing you leave no trace. Spiggie House Croft offers the ideal solution, ensuring that you can enjoy your meal responsibly. They hire out a Morso fire pit on the picturesque Peerie Spiggie beach in the heart of the South Mainland. With a westerly facing aspect, there’s no better place to watch the sunset on a glorious June day amongst good company and good friends.

There’s no place like home

All in all, June is the perfect month to make the most of the light nights of midsummer, particularly if your day job keeps you shackled to the desk all day. Take a midnight hike to the top of a hill, watching the sunset and rise again. Camp out in a secluded location and observe the light on the western horizon as it dips, glowing, into the sea beyond. Enjoy a coastal walk and the scented smell of the squill and thrift, or dive in and explore the underwater world.

If you’re particularly adventurous, Sea Kayak Shetland offers tours exploring the variety of coastlines and the outstanding coastal features on offer. You can take a boat trip to Mousa or Noss and enjoy some pretty epic wildlife encounters along the way.

However, you choose to enjoy June, be sure to stop, look and listen to the natural world as it truly is giving us the best show right now.