Shetland Folk Festival
The 33rd annual Shetland Folk Festival will be held between Thursday 2nd and Sunday 5th May 2013. Organised by a voluntary committee (and run by an even bigger pool of volunteers), the festival features a series of concerts throughout the isles as well as a Festival Club in Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick with both formal and informal concerts, workshops, a real ale bar, and sessions that stretch into the wee hours of the morning so be warned - you might get very little sleep!
Shetland Folk Festival intends to move to online ticketing in 2014. However, as in previous years, concert tickets will only be sold to customers through their completion and returning of a ticket booking form that will be posted out to advance members in mid-March, and which will be distributed through the Shetland Times and thereafter available for download from our website from the 5th April.
For more information on tickets and becoming a member of Shetland Folk Festival, see this page.
For more information on tickets and becoming a member of Shetland Folk Festival, see this page.
Most Festival-goers decide to base themselves in Shetland's capital, Lerwick although there is accommodation available throughout the isles. For help on finding B&Bs, guesthouses and other hotels, visit the Promote Shetland website visit.shetland.org/accommodation. Booking accommodation in advance of arriving in Shetland is highly recommended.
There are also campsites available in Shetland. The main one is at the Clickimin Centre in Lerwick. There is also an award winning youth hostel available just across the road from the Festival Club at Islesburgh House. For more details please contact Islesburgh by email on enquiries@islesburgh.org.uk or telephone +44 (0)1595 745100.
In previous years, The Grand Hotel in Lerwick have offered a special rate for SFFS members for accommodation over the Festival period. For more information contact the hotel directly: Telephone - +44 (0) 1595 692826 or email info@kgqhotels.co.uk.
The Scalloway Hotel in the village of Scalloway offers a special weekend Festival deal of £70 a night for a twin/double or £50 for a single in 2013. Email info@scallowayhotel.com.
There are also campsites available in Shetland. The main one is at the Clickimin Centre in Lerwick. There is also an award winning youth hostel available just across the road from the Festival Club at Islesburgh House. For more details please contact Islesburgh by email on enquiries@islesburgh.org.uk or telephone +44 (0)1595 745100.
In previous years, The Grand Hotel in Lerwick have offered a special rate for SFFS members for accommodation over the Festival period. For more information contact the hotel directly: Telephone - +44 (0) 1595 692826 or email info@kgqhotels.co.uk.
The Scalloway Hotel in the village of Scalloway offers a special weekend Festival deal of £70 a night for a twin/double or £50 for a single in 2013. Email info@scallowayhotel.com.
Ferries
There are daily flights and ferries connecting mainland UK to Shetland but booking is essential at Festival time. Northlink Ferries currently operate the overnight ferry service between Aberdeen and Shetland but early booking is probably essential especially as the first ferry before the festival starts (i.e. leaving Aberdeen on Wednesday) is renowned for its impromptu sessions and is likely to be packed with performers.
Plane
You can also fly from Glasgow/Edinburgh and Aberdeen with British Airways to Sumburgh, Shetland's main airport. There are a number of flights each day.
There are daily flights and ferries connecting mainland UK to Shetland but booking is essential at Festival time. Northlink Ferries currently operate the overnight ferry service between Aberdeen and Shetland but early booking is probably essential especially as the first ferry before the festival starts (i.e. leaving Aberdeen on Wednesday) is renowned for its impromptu sessions and is likely to be packed with performers.
Plane
You can also fly from Glasgow/Edinburgh and Aberdeen with British Airways to Sumburgh, Shetland's main airport. There are a number of flights each day.
Shetland Isles, Scotland
