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31 Jan 2007
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Shetland Gathering, Shetland Scotland May
My friends at Shetlands Islands Cruisers are hosting their second Shetland Gathering from May 20th. Visitors from Scandinavia, the Faroe Islands, the U.K. and even from the Continent are expected to gather for several days of fun and exploring Shetland's wonderful road network.
Following the Gathering, groups of riders are heading for the Faroe Islands by ferry, and there will be an option to continue on to visit Iceland on the same trip.
The organisers are negotiating travel discounts for riders attending the Gathering by way of Northlink Ferries from Aberdeen. Anybody interested can find all the required information at www.shetlandislandscruisers.com
Anyone interested in riding in Shetland can view a story on the subject here:
http://www.visitshetland.com/getting-around/motorcycle/
ron
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31 Jan 2007
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I would like to add to the above
Having re-read the above post, it reads as if I am promoting a business venture, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. The Shetlands Islands Cruisers are a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who, working as a loosely-affiliated club, like to host and assist motorcyclist visitors to Shetland.
So the Gathering is that rarity -- an event not driven by income-generating goals and profit margins. And as the Cruisers are the least brand-associated of clubs (on an SIC ride-out you'll see everything from a late model Goldwing to a couple of Harleys to a jewel of a 1938 Rudge Ulster), if your machine has two wheels (or even three), you WILL be welcome.
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1 Feb 2007
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Thanks, blueron, for the mention 
Although, one minor correction - The Shetland Gathering II itself is actually billed as starting from Friday 25th, although we do hopefully have some visitors before then...
To explain a wee bit more, first of all, MC-Travel/CAP’s Harley-Davidson are promoting a tour visit from their home base in Denmark to Shetland in May, staying here for 20th – 25th. This is the agency that brought the first group of Scandinavian’ Harley-Davidson Club riders to Shetland in May of 2005. Although not as many as had been anticipated, it was sufficient to create what became our Shetland Islands Cruisers’ first Shetland Gathering. And, together with some select participants from the UK, it was deemed a great and sociable success.
This means that there will be three or four days (Monday - Thursday) of ride-out tours around Shetland, as well as possibly other events and social/sociable get-togethers. Again, we here are not promoting any business aspect of this. It's just the fact that it brings some welcome motorcyling guests - and friends, new and old - to our islands.
Then the Eysturoyar MC descend into Shetland for the weekend of 25th – 27th May 2007. To date at least 28 bikes, of a mixed variety of cruisers (and some others…), are booked to come over via the Smyril Line’s “Norrona”, together with 40 of their riders and pillions. And hopefully more to come. Not only from that direction, but also from the UK.*
So this is the time now set for The Shetland Gathering II – The Second Coming: Cruisin’ the Auld Rock Too. Friday 25th – Sunday 27th May.
* As UK’s most northerly “Gathering”, it is therefore our hope that this event may again be of interest to our UK Hogs, HDRCGB, CCC and other cruisers (of all sorts; we here in Shetland do not have the population – or the inclination – to be make/club specific) to be a good “excuse” as being the time for you to make the trip up to our northernmost islands - and perhaps onward to the Faroe Islands and/or Iceland!
To keep the party going after the weekend :¬) we are then joining with our Faroese friends to come back with them when they leave on the “Norrona” on the Sunday afternoon of 27th May. This would give you the chance of three days riding through those beautiful islands too – although, if preferred, you could continue on up to Iceland for yet another experience.
There will also be another Scandinavian group from MC-Travel in Faroe at the same time, so the opportunities for meeting with like minds and machines will be plentiful!
The return from Faroe arrives into Lerwick here on Friday 1st June, which time allows onward departure from Shetland and arrival back in Aberdeen on Saturday June 2nd.
The route up to here from the UK mainland is either via Aberdeen on the NorthLink ferry (12/14 hour sea trip, overnight) or via Orkney. Before booking, please contact us. Discounted rates with Northlink, and the Smyril Line (for the follow-up Faroe/Iceland trip), are currently being applied for.
Similarly, re accommodation, we would help to locate you either with the most suitable local hotels or b&b’s as necessary. Or if you are camping?
So, think about it… You would be very welcome. We might not guarantee the weather – but we will assure you of a good time! Anytime!!
Thank you 
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10 Mar 2007
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Brilliant!!
I am so excited. I have been thinking about doing a week biking trip this year, probably around one of the long weekends as I am trying to work as much as possible in order to save money for my long holiday. So I could either fit it in around the May bank holiday which is when I think your gathering is (though I tried to look at the website and it crashed all my open browsers). Or this Easter - do you know if the weather would be ok or will it still be getting dark early then?
I have long wanted to go to the Orkneys, Shetlands and Faroe Islands and then maybe onto Iceland - though I don't know if I have the time to do all of it.
I have been trying to muddle my way through which ferry lines go to where - are you able to help me figure out which lines to use along with the websites as I just seem to get the website that has all of the ferries.
Thanks,
Annette
ps. very excited at the prospect of a possible trip!
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11 Mar 2007
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Hi Sunflowers
I'll e-mail better details, but basically:
The NorthLink ferry that comes up to Shetland (sometimes via Orkney) from Aberdeen in Scotland sails every night from there, leaving at about 17.00 (actual time depends if it is going via Orkney) and arrives here at 0.700hrs. the following day.
And same for return – There is a ferry every night leaving here at same time of 17.00* and arriving back in Aberdeen at 07.00hrs. ( * Again, some sailings call into Orkney, so departure time varies to suit).
Another way to come up is to go to very north of Scotland, and get ferry from Scrabster over to Orkney, then ride across Orkney, and catch NorthLink ferry from Orkney to Shetland. It is also possible to return to north of Scotland by same route.
As for the onward journey to the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and other parts Scandinavian, then the Smyril Line ferry is the one - but their timetable is a bit more of a feat to interpret! But not impossible - and we here can certainly do our best help you to figure out the likely permutations, either directly or by using our Smyril contacts.
And any motorised two (or three) wheeled visitors to or through our islands here are  anytime...
Oh, and  sorry, don't know why our website bumped your browsers. It shouldn't have done - so do hope you have managed to get into it ok now?
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11 Mar 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Road King
Hi Sunflowers
I'll e-mail better details, but basically:
The NorthLink ferry that comes up to Shetland (sometimes via Orkney) from Aberdeen in Scotland sails every night from there, leaving at about 17.00 (actual time depends if it is going via Orkney) and arrives here at 0.700hrs. the following day.
And same for return – There is a ferry every night leaving here at same time of 17.00* and arriving back in Aberdeen at 07.00hrs. ( * Again, some sailings call into Orkney, so departure time varies to suit).
Another way to come up is to go to very north of Scotland, and get ferry from Scrabster over to Orkney, then ride across Orkney, and catch NorthLink ferry from Orkney to Shetland. It is also possible to return to north of Scotland by same route.
As for the onward journey to the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and other parts Scandinavian, then the Smyril Line ferry is the one - but their timetable is a bit more of a feat to interpret! But not impossible - and we here can certainly do our best help you to figure out the likely permutations, either directly or by using our Smyril contacts.
And any motorised two (or three) wheeled visitors to or through our islands here are anytime...
Oh, and sorry, don't know why our website bumped your browsers. It shouldn't have done - so do hope you have managed to get into it ok now?
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Don't think the website is right yet, I just get a blank blue screen :-( (FireFox 2)
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12 Mar 2007
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I believe the "only blue screen" problem is resolved by making sure you have the latest version of Flash Player.
That's the advice of the supplying company - and it has worked for couple of friends who experienced same thing.
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14 Mar 2007
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Article on Shetland and Faroe
If anyone in the UK is interested, an article on touring in Shetland and in the Faroe Islands is running in the May edition of Motorcycle Sports & Leisure magazine. It will run several pages and have information boxes on getting to and from both sets of islands; I think the magazine hits the newsstands on April 6th or thereabouts.
Please note that since I am not plugging something for financial gain, I hope I am not in breach of forum rules in any way by mentioning a story that I think will be of interest to anyone considering a riding tour to Faroe or Shetland.
But in case you are wondering, yes I did write and photograph the story.
ron mcmillan
www.ronmcmillan.com
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