Shetland Islands in March
Good time to visit
March offers wild beauty with slightly less punishment than deep winter. You'll still need serious weather gear, but the islands start feeling alive again.
Weather
March brings the first hints that winter might eventually end. Storms are still common but less ferocious, and you get occasional sunny breaks between squalls. The wind remains constant but drops to merely 'strong' most days.
7°C high3°C low16 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$90/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Spring equinox celebrations
- •Seabird migration begins
March Tips
- •Perfect month for dramatic coastal photography between storms
- •More B&Bs and restaurants start reopening mid-month
- •Pack layers - temperatures can swing 10 degrees in an hour
All Months
May through August offers the warmest weather and longest days. In June, the sun sets after 11 PM and rises before 4 AM - locals call this endless twilight the 'simmer dim.' Temperatures reach a heady 15°C on good days.
But here's the thing about Shetland weather: it changes hourly. Pack for four seasons regardless of when you visit. The islands sit in the path of Atlantic storms, and wind speeds regularly hit 40 mph.
Winter brings the Northern Lights and Up Helly Aa, Europe's largest fire festival. January temperatures hover around 3°C, but the Gulf Stream keeps it milder than you'd expect this far north. Just expect only 6 hours of daylight.
Bird watchers should time visits around migration seasons - May for arrivals, August for departures. Puffins nest from May to July on cliffs around Sumburgh Head and Fair Isle.
Shetland Islands Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
6/10
Families
5/10
Adventure
7/10
Budget
5/10
Luxury
4/10
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