The most unspoilt land in Britain?

Outdoor headlines

26 November 2007 10:37

It has long been a well-kept secret haven for walkers - but now Shetland has been named among the world's top unspoilt island destinations. A new survey of 111 islands across the globe puts the isolated islands in the elite of get-away-from-it-all idylls, and says Shetland's success has come without tourism overkill. Shetland was ranked behind the Faroe Islands and the Azores. It tied with the islands of Lofoten in Norway and Chiloe in Chile. One of the experts in the study described Shetland as having "everything with bells on", praising the spectacular sea cliffs, pristine beaches, geology and wildlife. Andy Steven, the area director for VisitScotland, said: "This is absolutely fantastic news for Shetland and reflects our commitment to ensuring Shetland remains a world class visitor destination with a range of qualities and attributes unlike anywhere else in the world." Islands in the survey were ranked on six different criteria, including the environmental and ecological quality, social and cultural integrity, the condition of their historic buildings and archaeological sites, their aesthetic appeal, the quality of their tourism management and their outlook for the future. The survey was conducted by National Geographic Traveller.