What were the highlights of your first stay there, as a cook on Fair Isle?
Well, I met my husband there… and made some of my best friends.
Why do you think people should visit the Shetland islands and where should they go?
It’s worth going to Shetland just for the drama of weather. There can be spells of bright sunshine, and then the long empty beaches are stunningly beautiful. It’s just as lovely in storm-force gales, when the spray hits the dramatic cliffs. This is a landscape of extremes.
You should visit the museum in Lerwick – it gives a great introduction to the islands and the food in the restaurant is good too. Almost next door is Mareel, the new arts centre. If you’re lucky you’ll come across a group of young musicians playing in the bar.
Take the inter-island ferries to explore Yell, Unst and Fetlar. Allow plenty of time to talk to people.
Check out the Shetland's website for festivals because there’s something for everyone. For example, Mark Kermode comes north to programme the film festival every year.
If you have time it’s definitely worth taking the little inter-island plane or the mail boat, the Good Shepherd, to Fair Isle. Stay in the refurbished bird observatory. You don’t have to be a birder to stay there but if you go at the right time of year you can get close to puffins and watch the staff ring migrants.
Is there a little-known place in the Shetland islands you feel visitors must visit?
In mid-summer take the ferry to the island of Mousa. It has a well-preserved iron-age broch (fortified tower) and is worth visiting at any time. But at mid-summer there are special trips to see the shy and secretive storm petrels. The ferry leaves Sandwick late at night and you arrive just as the light is fading. Then the storm petrels fly into the island. You can see them coming into the nest sites in the boulder beach and the broch. It’s truly magical. You arrive back on Shetland mainland in the early hours of the morning and it’s already getting light again.
If you prefer more sedentary pleasures, then check out one of the Sunday Teas. These are held in community halls throughout Shetland on Sunday afternoons. The aim is to raise funds for local organisations, but they are a very good way for visitors to meet islanders, drink tea and eat fantastic home bakes.
To watch the latest TV series of Shetland based on Anne's crime-fiction novels, visit BBC iPlayer. For more information about Ann and her books visit her official website. And, if Ann has inspired you to visit the Shetland islands, drop by Shetland's website.
This article was first published in 2013 and updated in August 2022.