Shetland to feature in national tourism TV advert

Shetland will be thrust into the national spotlight when it features in a new VisitScotland television advert.

A film crew from the national tourism organisation visited the isles recently to shoot scenes for its new “Surprise Yourself” commercial.

Voiced by Scottish television historian Neil Oliver, the new advert will be broadcast on television and in cinemas throughout the UK from January, inspiring people throughout the UK and Ireland to take a break in the region.

Using well-loved Scottish icons, the current VisitScotland Surprise Yourself adverts, first broadcast in March, are aimed at reminding people about what a break in the country offers, while challenging possible stereotypes.

VisitScotland’s Lerwick manager Steve Mathieson said: “It’s great that the Northern Isles are included in the new VisitScotland Surprise Yourself television advertising campaign.

“Shetland in particular is the area of Britain from which you are most likely to see the spectacular natural phenomena of the Northern Lights, and, though its appearance can never be guaranteed, for those fortunate enough to witness one of the incredible displays above the wild Shetland landscape it is an experience never to be forgotten.”

The Surprise Yourself campaign has generated an additional economic benefit for Scotland of £89.9 million since it launched earlier this year, the best ever results for a VisitScotland domestic campaign.

The adverts have been well received, with a survey revealing that 70 per cent of people finding the adverts more emotionally engaging than previous VisitScotland campaigns.