Otter watching in Shetland 2014

Otters are reputed to be ‘everywhere’ in Shetland. There’s even famously an ‘otter crossing’ road sign at Mavis Grind, where the North Sea is only separated from the Atlantic by the width of the road.

Yet our experience is that otters are elusive creatures. Without paying to go on one of the growing number of otter-watching trips, patience, local knowledge and tidal timing will be required to find them — if you’re lucky.