Shetland 2024? / Cycle Camping UK: Can You Help?

By Andrew on May 19, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

If you happened to listen to the interview that I did with Talk Radio Europe on Friday (see previous post), I mentioned in passing future long-distance cycling trips. Should I revisit the aborted plan to cycle the length of Japan? Perhaps in 2025? And this year? I noted that I had a couple of friends who are (separately) cycling in Shetland. They have been posting some fantastic pictures online and I hope that Anne and Tim don’t mind me reposting a few of their pictures here on CyclingEurope.org:

Looks like they have been fortunate with the weather. It’s got me thinking about the summer of 2024 and I have started to put together a plan using Google’s My Maps. I enjoy making these maps, even if the trip never comes to fruition they are fun to put together. Here’s where I have got so far with a potential trip to Scotland, Shetland and Orkney in the summer of 2024:

I’ve made a few of these maps over the years and they can all be viewed via My Maps:

You’ll be able to find them by Googling the name of the map and ‘Cycling Europe’.

Nothing, of course, beats a good old paper map and here is what my Ultimate Adventure Map of Britain has to tell me about Orkney and Shetland:

“Around 100 islands, of which 16 are populated, half way to Scandinavia both geographically and culturally. Britain’s northernmost point (Out Stack), Foula’s ginormous cliffs, Fair Isle (the remotest inhabited part of Britain), Papa Stour’s sea-cave tunnels stretching under the island, the northern lights in winter, 1,700 miles of coastline and many golden sandy beaches: highlights all. Britain’s best bus shelter is pretty tidy too. Highest point: Ronas Hill (450m).”

Shetland / Ultimate Adventure Map of Britain

“70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited (by Orcadians). Loads of lovely sandy beaches, pre-history galore and legendarily good names for things like Skara Brae, the Dwarfie Stane, the Old Man of Hoy and the Ship of Death. Mostly low-lying islands, except Hoy and its ginormous cliffs. There is also the world’s shortest scheduled flight – which has been done in less than a minute – from Westray to Papa Westray. Fine diving at Scapa Flow, thanks to all the vessels scuttled there in the last century. And of course, the Ba’, a mass football game that takes over the streets of Kirkwall over Christmas / New Year.”

Orkney / Ultimate Adventure Map of Britain

But I’m not the only person busy on Google’s My Maps. So is Neil Wheadon, and he wants your help. Neil (who is a vet from the west country but who is also an extremely well travelled cycle tourist and guide) is putting together a crowd-sourced campsite database using MyMaps via Facebook. Here are the criteria for submitting a campsite to the database / map:

“Cycle Camping can be expensive. Many establishments charge as if you are bringing a car or a very large tent. The aim of this group is to establish a list of campsites that offer sites for cycle campers that are both suitable and economic. In 2024, the maximum charge is set at £16/night (for a tent) and there should be a toilet available.“

Here is the link to the ‘Cycle Camping UK’ Facebook page and here is the May Maps map:

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