jimmy perez tour shetland

All you need to know about the Shetland crime drama

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Are you a fan of the BBC crime drama Shetland and the fictional detectives Jimmy Perez, 'Tosh' McIntosh and Ruth Calder? Find out about the real Shetland, the show’s locations, the best-selling books behind the TV series and more.

If you are one of the millions of people around the world fascinated by Jimmy Perez and his crime-solving adventures in Ann Cleeves' Shetland books and the BBC TV series inspired by them, we think you'll love the real place. It's every bit as spectacular and fascinating as the stories and series but, thankfully, with very little crime!

To celebrate the books, the series and the much-loved characters, we've pulled together lots of useful information for fans of Shetland . As well as some brilliant self-guided tours and videos of some of the show's locations, we hear from author Ann Cleeves on what first motivated her to write about Shetland and why the islands will always hold a special place in her heart.

Let's not forget that in 2023, there is a new 'chapter' to the ' Shetland' story – a new detective inspector Ruth Calder, played by Ashely Jensen, replaces DI Perez now actor Douglas Henshall has retired the role.

Location area guides

We've compiled a series of self-guided tours across Shetland inspired by the filming locations that have graced our screens in the Shetland TV series. The Central and North Mainland tours require a car, but the Lerwick trail is best made on foot.

Locations area guides

On location in shetland, discover more about the shetland crime drama.

I feel so lucky that I've been able to spend so much time here. It's under my skin and I can see myself visiting again and again. I loved it when I could hire a car and spend days driving from one insanely beautiful spot to another. And I love it now when I've got my family in tow and it's all parks and beaches and going swimming and to the library. I've made some wonderful friends here and many, many memories. Alison O'Donnell, who plays Tosh

“Everybody loves a murder mystery and everyone loves a remote place because it sparks your imagination. Shetland’s beautiful, I think those things combined with fantastic stories are what makes this show a hit around the world. I’m very proud of Shetland – it’s a place that warrants visiting. There’s something very special about Shetland and the only way to discover that is to go there.” Mark Bonnar, who plays Duncan

These things don’t come along too often for any location - any place - so most people realise it’s fundamentally a good thing and shows off Shetland all over the world. Things like these don’t happen by accident - it started with Ann Cleeves' extraordinary books and then the TV series has grown and grown...It’s an unusual and a positive thing for the Shetland Isles and there’s certainly an open minded approval of the TV series filming here. Steven Robertson, who plays Sandy

About Shetland - the series

Featuring characters from the novels by award winning crime writer Ann Cleeves, and acclaimed worldwide, Shetland follows DI Ruth Calder, who replaces Jimmy Perez in series 8, and her team as they investigate crime within the close-knit island community.

Amid spectacular scenery, in an isolated and fascinating environment, the team have to rely on a uniquely resourceful style of policing.

Meet crime novelist Ann Cleeves

Ann is an award-winning crime writer who has published eight novels set in Shetland featuring police detective Jimmy Perez. She is also the creator of Vera Stanhope, the detective who features in ITV's popular series Vera.

Her last Shetland book Wild Fire was published in September 2018. Ann has a long association with Shetland and confesses to being in love with the place.

Her relationship with the archipelago began in 1975, when she took a job as assistant cook at the Fair Isle bird observatory. On Fair Isle Ann met her late husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist, and it was on a return trip that a single stark image provided inspiration for her first Shetland novel.

“There were lots of ravens, very black against the snow. So, because I’m a writer, I thought, ‘What if there were blood as well? And would ravens eat a body?’ I checked with Tim, who said they would.

“Initially it was going to be a short story, and my editor said it would stretch credibility if I wrote more than one novel. But after the good reviews and winning the Dagger (an award for crime fiction), we decided we could stretch to a series.”

I enjoy writing about the islands just because they are dynamic, changing and energetic. Don’t come to Shetland imagining a Viking theme park, a place fixed in the past. History is important here, but the community looks to the future... Ann Cleeves, author of the Shetland books

Discover more from Ann Cleeves

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Ann Cleeves' Shetland books

Raven Black

The first in the Shetland murder mystery series. On a cold January morning, the body of teenager is found beneath the snow in Shetland. The locals focus on one suspect, but it is up to detective Jimmy Perez to investigate. Soon fear is spread over the whole community, while a killer lurks in their midst.

Buy now from The Shetland Times Bookshop

White Nights

In the second Shetland murder mystery, a hanging body is found on a remote island and at first seems to be suicide. Detective Jimmy Perez soon realises this is no accident and, when another body is found, he must race against the clock to find answers. When a community doesn’t want to reveal its secrets, Jimmy must quickly break the cycle before another death occurs…

This is the third novel in Ann Cleeves' Shetland series. An elderly lady is shot in what seems to be a tragic accident and detective Jimmy Perez is called to investigate. The silent islanders provide little information, and Jimmy finds instead a tangled bitterness between two feuding families that has lasted generations. Can he uncover the mystery?

Blue Lightning

Detective Jimmy Perez returns to his home Fair Isle. A body has been found and the islanders react with fear and suspicion. Perez has no way off the island until the autumn storms subside. Cut off from the outside world, he must use whatever means he can, and fast, to find the killer.

When the body of journalist Jerry Markham is found in a traditional Shetland boat, outside the house of the Fiscal, down at the marina, young Detective Inspector Willow Reeves is drafted in from the Hebrides to head up the investigation. Since the death of his fiancée, Inspector Jimmy Perez has been out of the loop, but his interest in this new case is stirred and he decides to help the inquiry.

A group of old university friends leave the bright lights of London and travel to Unst, Shetland's most northerly island, to celebrate the marriage of one of their friends to a Shetlander. But late on the night of the wedding party, one of them, Eleanor, disappears - apparently into thin air. Detective Jimmy Perez heads north to Unst to investigate.

In the seventh Shetland novel, torrential rain triggers a landslide across the main Lerwick-Sumburgh road and sweeps down to the sea. Jimmy Perez watches the flood of mud and peaty water smash through a croft house in its path. Everyone thinks the croft is uninhabited, but in the wreckage he finds the body of a dark-haired woman wearing a red silk dress and a new mystery begins to unfurl.

In the eighth and final Shetland murder mystery, an English family move to Shetland, eager to give their autistic son a better life. But when a young nanny’s body is found hanging in the barn of their home, rumours of her affair with the husband begin to spread like wild fire. With suspicion raining down on the family, DI Jimmy Perez is called in to investigate, knowing that it will mean the return to the islands of his on-off lover and boss Willow Reeves, who will run the case. Perez is facing the most disturbing and personal investigation of his career. Is he ready for what is to come?

TV series reviews

Henshall seems almost weathered into the part, as if, like the hills and cairns around the windswept isles he serves, his mournful visage has been lashed by the North Sea for millennia. Sean O'Grady, The Independent

It’s easy to see why the BBC’s hugely successful export has so many fans all over the world – with its beautiful scenery and knotty plots, it’s pure escapism. Tim Dowling, The Guardian

Douglas Henshall’s performance as Perez is the heartbeat of the show, projecting a dishevelled and slightly vulnerable warmth even while he’s putting the skids under his team of coppers. Adam Sweeting, The Arts Desk

Besides the always stunning scenery, the show rests, not falls, on the likeability of Douglas Henshall as Perez, and he's doing a grand job, juggling his pursuit of justice with an evident compassion and admiration for these steely folk, living without the usual urban comforts. Caroline Frost, The Huffington Post

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South Mainland Tour

We usually begin our tour in our capital town Lerwick (Norse name  meaning 'Muddy Bay') and discover why Lerwick came to be. This is also  the location where in the television series 'Shetland,'detective Jimmy

Perez lives.

From Lerwick we head south passing through the following unspoilt places:

Fladdabister - (Norse for 'Flat Farm') is a wonderful home for some of  Shetland's finest wild flowers in the summer as well as the cute Shetland  ponies and several croft house ruins. 

Mousa Broch Viewpoint - We are able to see from a distance the best preserved broch in Scotland (Iron Age tower approx 200 BC).

St Ninian's Beach - A stunning example of a tombolo with its white sands connecting the mainland to St Ninian's Isle, home of the famous Pictish treasure dating back to around 800 AD.

Croft House Museum - At Boddam we come across a fine example of a croft dwelling which gives an insight as to how people lived a hundred years ago or so with the peat burning fire.

Jarlshof - A dramatic timeline of settlement starting around 2700 BC to the 1600s AD hosting a Bronze Age smithy, Pictish wheel houses, a broch, Viking longhouses, a medeival farmhouse as well as the Lairds home.

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse - Endless horizon of stunning scenery and wildlife with the cliffs hosting thousands of sea birds including the fabulous Kittiwakes and the cute Puffins . The sea birds are around from mid-April to mid-August.

Scalloway - On our return journey to Lerwick we explore the ancient capital of Shetland, Scalloway, which includes the castle built in 1599 by Earl Patrick Steward, the half-nephew of Mary Queen of Scots. Scalloway was also the operational base for the 'Shetland Bus' , a resistance movement against the Nazi occupation of Norway in WW2.

As with any tour in Shetland, flexibility is inbuilt, not least because of the weather. Although there are no long walks on this tour, it is advisable that visitors have adequate footwear and warm, waterproof clothing.

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Unfortunately, I am no longer taking any tours due to changing work circumstances

What happened to Jimmy Perez in Shetland? Explained

I n the season 7 finale of Shetland , viewers were eagerly anticipating the departure of DI Jimmy Perez, played by Douglas Henshall. There had been rumors that his exit would be dramatic and potentially fatal, but the show's creators opted for a more understated and emotionally resonant goodbye.

Contrary to some predictions, Jimmy didn't meet a fiery demise, despite a close call during a confrontation with Jamie Narey, a radicalized individual with a vendetta against the oil industry. A pipe bomb detonation threatened both men, but they miraculously survived.

However, a shot fired by a firearms officer did hit Jamie, though it didn't prove fatal. The season's intricate plot unveiled a web of characters involved in Jamie's scheme, including Connor Cairns, the bomb builder.

The article navigates the details related to the exit of Jimmy Perez from the series in detail.

Why did Jimmy Perez leave Shetland ?

In a recent interview with the BBC, the actor shared that he believed it was the "right time" to conclude Jimmy's story. He wanted to avoid compromising "the unique elements" that made the character and the series special, hence, exiting on time would be a good decision.

In a statement, Scottish actor Douglas Henshall shared,

"After series five of Shetland, David Kane and I decided we wanted to do two more series to complete the story of Jimmy Perez."

He also quoted:

"I decided to leave a few years ago because I felt that Perez's story was coming to a natural end. It was time to find a resolution to Perez's private life."

Sharing his thoughts on the series, he said:

"I never wanted to ruin the things that were unique to him and our series so it felt like the right time to wrap up his story in a way that would be satisfactory to everybody. I am aware we're not changing the world in any way, shape or form but as far as crime shows go, Shetland does really well in that genre."

Talking about his emotions during the filming of his last scenes, he described,

"We tell stories that are very good, the characters are great and I wanted to go out on a high. My last scenes were filmed in a car park in Kilmacolm which was very odd. We'd tried to wrap three times but, because of covid, it kept being put back. So it felt a little anti-climactic in the end."

He shared his feelings about the crew and co-stars, quoting:

"I did say a few words of thanks to everyone who was there but it's impossible to encapsulate ten years of work. Shetland has meant a lot to me and it's going to take some time to sink in that I've left the show."

Is Jimmy Perez in season 8 of Shetland ?

Douglas Henshall , the familiar face of DI Jimmy Perez for seven seasons on the BBC drama Shetland , won't be returning for season 8. Having bid farewell to the show late last year, Henshall's absence marks a significant change.

Stepping into the investigative spotlight is Ashley Jensen , taking on the role of the new lead detective, Ruth Calder, in the upcoming season. Fans can expect a fresh dynamic with Jensen at the helm, bringing new energy and perspective to the Shetland series.

The shift in cast promises an exciting turn for loyal viewers as the drama continues with a new central character.

What is the connection between Jimmy and Duncan in Shetland ?

In the Shetland TV series, Jimmy Perez (played by Douglas Henshall) and Duncan Hunter (portrayed by Mark Bonnar) navigate the complexities of their relationship as the stepfather and biological father of Cassie Perez.

Despite their efforts to co-parent smoothly, underlying tension often hinders their ability to unite as a family. The dynamics take a turn after the death of Fran, bringing Jimmy and Duncan closer.

This shift results in an unusual and somewhat distant friendship between the two men, adding a layer of complexity to their connection in the aftermath of shared loss.

Season 8 kicked off on November 1, 2023, and it's rolling out one episode per week. The finale, the eighth episode, was aired on December 6, 2023. Just like before, the 8th season also consisted of eight episodes.

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Shetland renewed

The BBC has announced that Shetland , the gripping tv crime drama which grew out of Ann Cleeves' award-winning detective novels, will return for not one but two more series! Viewers will get another look at the developing relationdhip between Tosh (Alison O'Donnell) and DI Ruth Calder (played by Ashley Jensen).

The BBC said that Shetland was the second biggest drama of the year in Scotland across all channels and streamers in 2023, behind only Happy Valley ! It was shortlisted for the 2024 Thalia Proctor Memorial Award for the best adapted TV crime drama awarded annually by CrimeFest (and so was VERA !). If you missed it, the full series is available on the BBC iPlayer , as are all the previous series.

Ashley Jensen said she was "thrilled" to be playing the part of Detective Calder again. Series 8 marked her debut in the leading rôle, after she replaced Douglas Henshall as Ann Cleeves' popular detective Jimmy Perez. She said: "The reaction to the last series was incredible and I'm excited at the prospect of unravelling more intrigue.

"The Shetland Isles are breath-taking - without a doubt one of the most memorable and unique filming locations I've been to."

Alison O'Donnell said that she "could not be happier" about returning. She added: "Ashley and I just scratched the surface of our dynamic in Series 8 and I am delighted that we now have the opportunity to build on that." Series regulars Steven Robertson (Sandy), Lewis Howden (Billy) and Anne Kidd (Cora) are also confirmed to return. The latest series will be written by Paul Logue and Denise Paul and will be produced by Silverprint Pictures.

And of course, all the original mysteries featuring Jimmy Perez are still there in Ann Cleeves' eight Shetland novels, two whole quartets to read whenever you want to!

Too Good To Be True

When young teacher Anna Blackwell is found dead in her home, the police think her death was suicide or a tragic accident. After all, Stonebridge is a quiet country village in the Scottish Borders, where murders just don't happen.

It's a long way from Shetland - but Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez is on the spot. His ex-wife, Sarah, has asked him to look into the case. The local gossips are saying that her new husband, Tom, was having an affair with Anna. Could Tom have been involved with her death? Sarah refuses to believe it - but needs proof ...

Too Good To Be True is a complete novella-length story, originally selected as one of 15 books to be given away, free, on World Book Night, April 23rd 2016. It has been issued in Canada in an exclusive edition, available only from independent bookstores, for Canadian Independent Bookstore Day (April 29th, 2023).

More about Too Good to be True

Previously in Shetland

All seven series of the award-winning television drama, inspired by - but very different to - Ann Cleeves's Shetland mysteries, and starring Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez, are now available on DVD. US viewers can also watch it on BritBox or with Prime Video .

Read an interview with Douglas Henshall , conducted during the filming of series five in Shetland in summer 2018: he talks about why he wanted to sign on for Shetland, how much the series has evolved since the pilot, why he likes that the crime drama is character-based, the relationship between Perez and his daughter (Erin Armstrong), what he enjoys about the Perez-Tosh dynamic - not to mention the challenge of the weather in Shetland! For a different perspective, read an interview in which Shetlander Steven Robertson talks to the Herald about the show, and about growing up in Shetland.

Visit the BBC Writers' Room for Ann's reactions. She told us: "The TV adaptations are very often very different from the books - the scriptwriters cut some characters and add others, cut big chunks of plot and sometimes they even change the murderer! But I'm very relaxed about that. Prose and film are different forms. Besides, the book stops being mine every time someone reads it. Each reader brings their own imagination, history and prejudice to the story and each writer has to learn to let go. Adaptation just takes the process a bit further." She shared her thoughts about the shocking events of series 3, episode five with the Guardian .

There's another interview with Ann about Shetland - the place, the books and the TV series - on the KCET website, where you can read the interview or listen to the sound recording .

Ann Cleeves answers five questions about Shetland - the TV drama, the books and the islands - on her publishers' website.

Visit Shetland mini-website for lots of background information, plus a collection of extracts, cast interviews and photos.

Ann Cleeves has written a murder mystery based around a traditional Shetland Sunday tea, especially for librarians and booksellers who would like to host their own murder mystery party. There's a script for four actors (with a guest appearance from detective Jimmy Perez), and - for a really authentic experience! - there are recipes for Shetland homebakes!

Look out for a 'Blood on the Bannocks' event near you - or find out how you can stage your own!

With Wild Fire , Ann completes her second Shetland quartet, and brings the series to a close.

An English family, drawn in by the beauty of the islands, move to the area, eager to give their autistic son a better life. But when a young nanny's body is found hanging in the barn of their home, rumours of her affair with the husband begin to spread like wild fire. DI Jimmy Perez, called in to investigate, knows that it will mean the return to the islands of his on-off lover and boss Willow Reeves...

Wild Fire is now available in both UK and US in a variety of formats: on publication it went straight to number one in the Bookseller 's weekly ranking of best-selling e-books! It was also longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year . It's a fitting send-off for Jimmy Perez - but to say farewell properly, Shetland fiddler Cathy Geldard was commissioned to write a Farewell to Perez. She took as her starting point a traditional Fair Isle grace, which you can hear at the start of the video:

A TUNE FOR JIMMY PEREZ by Cathy Geldard: Video produced by Ian Stephenson at Simpson Street Studios .

The end of something good is always sad, but the completion of a hugely successful and very popular series is a reason to celebrate, too. Ann launched Wild Fire with a party on Wednesday 5th September at - where else? - Lerwick Town Hall. You can follow the link to join the celebrations, live from Lerwick, Shetland: https://t.co/p7pVPPIztH courtesy of Criminal Element (@crimehq). And Shetland Distillery Company, the most Northerly distillery in the UK has produced a special limited edition gin in conjunction with the launch.

Taking inspiration from the novel, Wild Fire is a balanced London Dry Gin with juniper and sweet spice notes that have a lingering and warming finish. Tasted neat, there are notes of warming cinnamon and sweet orange that linger on the palate. The long finish has an aromatic spice with a touch of heat from dried red chillies. Wild Fire pairs beautifully with premium tonic, which softens the heat from the spices and lifts the sweet citrus notes of the sorrel and orange peel. It is best enjoyed with a slice of orange and a copy of Ann Cleeves's Wild Fire .

Shetland Distillery Director, Stuart Nickerson said: "We were very excited when Ann approached us last year to create a gin designed to match her eighth and final Shetland book. We have taken a great deal of time over the gin production and hope all Ann's fans as well as our own customers enjoy Wild Fire which is a slowly warming gin with a lasting finish that mirrors the exciting end to the Shetland series of books."

Ann Cleeves said: "What better way to celebrate the last of the Perez books than by raising a glass of Wild Fire gin produced in the islands by the wonderful Shetland Reel?"

Read more about Wild Fire

Ann Cleeves's Shetland

Ann Cleeves's bestselling series of crime novels, featuring Detective Jimmy Perez, and now also adapted for a major BBC television series, draw their inspiration from the place in which they are set: Shetland.

Ann says "If you'd like to know more about the islands where the show is filmed and the books are set, check out my non-fiction book. It's full of wonderful photos and explains why I love the place so much." It's a gloriously illustrated companion to the novels, taking readers through a year on Shetland, learning about its past, meeting its people, celebrating its festivals and seeing how the flora and fauna of the islands changes with the seasons. Whether it is the drama of the Viking fire festival of Up Helly Aa in winter, or the piercing blue and hot pink of spring flowers on the clifftops, the long, white nights of midsummer or the fierce gales and high tides of autumn, Shetland is vividly captured in all its bleak and special beauty.

An archipelago of more than a hundred islands, Shetland is the one of the most remote places in the United Kingdom. Its fifteen hundred miles of shore mean that wherever one stands, there is a view of the sea. It has sheltered voes and beaches and dramatically exposed cliffs, lush meadows full of wild flowers in the summer and bleak hilltops where only the hardiest of plants will grow. It is a place where traditions are valued and celebrated, but new technologies and ways of working are also embraced.

You can see an extract from the book on the publishers' website .

Shetland was published by Pan Macmillan on 22nd October 2015; it is available from Amazon in hardback (ISBN: 978-1-5098-0979-0) or for Kindle .

My Shetland - two prize-winning short films chosen by Ann Cleeves to show readers of her Shetland Quartet what the islands look like to the people who live there. Or see a large image of the map on this site .

Read a profile of Ann Cleeves in The Scotsman .

The shocking Shetland season seven finale and what happened to Jimmy Perez explained

Warning, spoilers ahead for the season seven finale.

Shetland aired its season seven final on Wednesday night, and finally delivered answers on how the BBC drama has written out its beloved star, Douglas Henshall.

MORE:  Shetland viewers saying the same thing about Jimmy Perez's send off as series teases new lead

The actor has been playing the show's lead detective, DI Jimmy Perez, ever since it began airing back in 2013, but announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down from the role in order to explore other acting opportunities. So what happened at the end and how was his character written out of the show? Here's our explainer…

WATCH: Shetland is finally back for series seven - are you watching?

The last episode saw Jimmy and his team tie up a few loose ends from the series, including finally discovering the culprit behind the murders as well as putting a stop to the eco-terrorism unit.

MORE:  Shetland's Mark Bonnar has a very famous wife - and you might recognise her!

MORE:  Shetland star Douglas Henshall reveals reason behind shock exit

The beloved detective was also faced with a moral dilemma in his final investigation when he realised that American artist Lloyd Anderson, who was wanted for a murder that happened in the US back in the 1980s, might actually be innocent after all.

Jimmy Perez's fate is revealed in the episode

In a bid to prevent the painter from being deported back to his home country, where he'd face the death penalty, Jimmy risks his career to do the right thing. "If the last thing I do is help an innocent man, I'm good with that," he is seen saying.

C ould Alison O'Donnell's Tosh take over as the show's lead star?

While his actions are noble, they are indefensible in the eyes of the law and result in Jimmy losing his badge and his long-running detective career. However, it's a bittersweet moment as it opens up the possibility for Jimmy to build a stable, long-term relationship with nurse Meg, who also made their true feelings known to each other in the episode.

MORE:  Shetland's Alison O'Donnell shares emotional message to co-star Douglas Henshall

The final few moments of the episode also teased Jimmy's replacement, hinting that Sergeant Alison 'Tosh' McIntosh might be the new lead in the upcoming series. While saying an emotional goodbye to her mentor, Alison tells Jimmy: "I'm not sure I can do this without you."

It has long been predicted that Tosh, played by Scottish actress Alison O'Donnell, would be taking over from Jimmy. BBC bosses have already confirmed that the show will return for an eighth series in 2023 but have yet to reveal who will be taking over as the new lead.

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The Lodberrie, home of Jimmy Perez

© Laurie Goodlad

SHETLAND TV tour: On the trail of Jimmy Perez

This is the tour that many people have been eagerly anticipating; a tour dedicated to the famous Shetland tv series. Following in the footsteps of Jimmy Perez, Shetland with Laurie has developed this new tour based on the hit BBC crime drama.

Shetland TV Series: North 

On this tour, we begin by exploring the streets of Lerwick where much of the filming took place, including the Lodberrie, home of Jimmy Perez, Commercial Street, the Town Hall, Police Station and the site of the famous Up Helly Aa festival, as featured in the show. From Lerwick, we will head west to Burra which hosts the fictional village of Skellwick and the locations used in both series two and five. Along the way, we pass Burland Croft, where John Henderson was murdered in series two. We then head North, via the site where Zezi was held hostage and on towards the Skellwick Hotel (Busta House Hotel) where we will have lunch in a beautiful 16th-century building. From there we head into the wilds of Shetland’s north-west corner where we will see the home of Magnus Bain and stand at the cliffs of Eshaness which was used in several series’ and saw its fair share of murder, mystery and intrigue.

Shetland TV Series: South

On this tour, we begin by exploring the streets of Lerwick where much of the filming took place, including the Lodberrie, home of Jimmy Perez, Commercial Street, the Town Hall, Police Station and the site of the famous Up Helly Aa festival, as featured in the show. From Lerwick, we will head south through the picturesque, and sweeping landscapes of Shetland’s South Mainland. Along the way, we will visit the beaches of St Ninian’s Isle, Scousburgh and Peerie Spiggie, all locations throughout the series. We will see the ruined house of Clavel where a shooting took place and then visit the southernmost point of the mainland, Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, used as a hotel in series two. From there, we will have lunch at the Sumburgh Hotel, location of Willow Reeves’ hotel in series two. With a bit of luck and a clear day, the island of Fair Isle, set of series two’s drama may be visible on the southern horizon. After lunch, we make our way back to the Central Mainland to Scalloway to explore the Shetland Bus history, tapped into in series one.

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Shetland with laurie.

Tour Guide operating in Shetland, offering sightseeing tours and walking tours throughout the islands. Blog: https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/podcast#/ Podcast: https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/podcast#/

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Euros 2024 – Articles

As Jimmy Perez quits, here’s why Shetland won’t ever be the same again

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‘A world without Jimmy Perez isn’t one’ Meg (Lucianne McEvoy) or any of us want to live in, but it’s one we’re going to have to get used to as tonight’s finale of Shetland also marked Douglas Henshall’s exit from the BBC One drama.

Now, it’s important to say – in case you weren’t already aware – I love television shows and can safely say I’ve watched enough crime dramas to estimate the structure of an arc when tuning into something new, so watching Jimmy investigate the death of Alex Galbraith, I sort of knew what was ahead. Jimmy and his team would gather evidence, look at the suspects, point their fingers at absolutely the wrong person and then realise the answer had been under their noses the entire time.

However, while watching series six, I came to realise that Shetland is so much more than just another television crime drama.

Last year, as well as following Alex Gailbraith’s murder, we were also re-introduced to Donna Killick, and you’d only really know her if you had watched her story leading up to her return.

Donna Killick was responsible for the murder of Lizzie Kilmuir and also had an affair with Duncan (Mark Bonnar), Jimmy’s best friend.

Her journey back to the island sparked protests among the residents – largely due to the fact she hadn’t served her full sentence behind bars – but ultimately, it put our protagonist’s future in serious danger, and it was this arc that helped me understand the success of Shetland has always been because of the main leads and one very important factor: history.

If the members of Jimmy’s police team continuously changed throughout the years, writers David Kane and Paul Logue wouldn’t have been able to air Donna’s story. It’s because of the genius character development, the decisions Sandy (Steven Robertson) made a few years ago or Duncan’s past attempts at caring for or protecting someone he loves (albeit in a haphazard way) that saw Jimmy, Sandy, Duncan and even Tosh’s (Alison O’Donnell) lives turned upside down come the finale.

Putting the spotlight on just Jimmy Perez, I suppose what made him so different from other TV detectives is that he was just well, very real.

He wasn’t exactly haunted by a dark secret that would later connect him to a case and force him to act shifty and strange throughout (*ahem*, The Suspect), he was constantly out of his depth looking after daughter Cassie (Erin Armstrong), cared deeply for Tosh and Duncan and – up until the finale – found it incredibly difficult to move on following the death of his beloved wife, Fran.

Jimmy’s relationships with Tosh and Duncan were something we barely ever see on television – and that was so refreshing, which certainly makes me question what the future of the show looks like now we won’t see these relationships on screen.

The love and compassion Jimmy and Tosh or Jimmy and Duncan had for each other, the challenges they faced together, not to mention the incredible chemistry and connection they all had – that is what I will miss most about this era of Shetland.

Relatable, layered and sometimes a tiny bit troubled characters are what we really all fall in love with when watching any television drama or soap. Shetland isn’t like Line of Duty, or Bodyguard or Triggerpoint – it’s a drama with less production, yes, but that plays to its advantage by putting a stronger focus on the character’s lives and in turn, creates a bigger, more memorable impact on the audience rather than a show on ITV that features a bomb explosion once every two parts.

Despite the frustration I sometimes felt when watching Jimmy commit to a relationship with Meg (seriously, he really took his time), I never wanted him to fail. David Kane had built this character who lived for his work, was able to arrest a killer or kidnapper and in doing so, make someone else’s life a bit easier, but found seeking out his own happiness the biggest challenge of them all.

Come the final scenes in tonight’s episode, I was emotional for Jimmy after watching his life unfold over the past few years. The liberation he felt when telling Meg that he was done putting his job first was powerful, I don’t quite know if things would’ve been the same if Douglas Henshall hadn’t been cast in the role.

Of course, I cannot write an article about Jimmy’s exit from Shetland without talking about Douglas – there is no other way to describe him other than magnificent. It takes a certain type of actor to tell the audience how a character is feeling without barely saying a word. The simple raise of an eyebrow from Douglas, nod or the crack of a small smile encapsulated Jimmy’s mood – dialogue wasn’t always needed.

I’ll still tune into Shetland when it returns for series eight, but the show won’t ever be the same again.

It will be interesting to see how Jimmy’s friends and colleagues have adapted to him no longer being the ‘town sheriff’ and it of course leads me to wonder just who will be?

The beauty of Shetland was that the continuation of Jimmy, Tosh, Duncan, Sandy and Billy’s (Lewis Howden) lives is what we loved to catch up on.

While it is only Jimmy that has left (as far as we know), a brand-new lead will cause the foundations of the show to change dramatically. Will it be a new detective who isn’t from the Shetland Islands or Scotland? A detective who is somewhat a fish out of water moving to the isolated town?

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment

635-й зенитно-ракетный полк

Military Unit: 86646

Activated 1953 in Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast - initially as the 1945th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment for Special Use and from 1955 as the 635th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment for Special Use.

1953 to 1984 equipped with 60 S-25 (SA-1) launchers:

• Launch area: 55 15 43N, 38 32 13E (US designation: Moscow SAM site E14-1)
• Support area: 55 16 50N, 38 32 28E
• Guidance area: 55 16 31N, 38 30 38E

1984 converted to the S-300PT (SA-10) with three independent battalions:

• 1st independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Bessonovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 09 34N, 38 22 26E
• 2nd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion and HQ (Stepanshchino, Moscow Oblast) - 55 15 31N, 38 32 23E
• 3rd independent Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion (Shcherbovo, Moscow Oblast) - 55 22 32N, 38 43 33E

Disbanded 1.5.98.

Subordination:

• 1st Special Air Defence Corps , 1953 - 1.6.88
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.6.88 - 1.10.94
• 86th Air Defence Brigade , 1.10.94 - 1.10.95
• 86th Air Defence Division , 1.10.95 - 1.5.98

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