Over 100 islands comprise the Shetland group and each has its very own wildlife speciality. Indeed, some of the greatest natural spectacles in the British Isles are to be found here. Around the coastline, hundreds of species of birds can be seen, and the towering cliffs are a metropolis for over a million seabirds. The endearingly cute puffins number around 350,000, and they share the sea and the sky with gulls, great skuas (known locally as bonxies), fulmars, gannets, storm petrels, shags, guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, cormorants, arctic terns, and many others. The largest seabird colonies are on the internationally important bird reserves of Hermaness, Noss, Fair Isle and Foula.

Many birds breed inland, like the lapwing, skylark, meadow pipit, wheatear, red-throated diver, merlin, whimbrel and, on the RSPB reserve in Fetlar, the rare red-necked phalarope.

A diverse range of marine mammals may be seen in Shetland's rich waters. About 6,000 common and over 3,000 grey seals can be found around Shetland's coastline. The common seal can be seen in sheltered coves while the grey seal is found along more exposed coasts and in deeper water. Mousa, Scatness and Sumburgh Head are home to both species. An amazing twenty-two species of cetacean have been recorded around Shetland's shores. Some of these have occurred very rarely and spotting even the more common species, such as Minke and Orca whales, white-beaked, white-sided and Risso's dolphins, and harbour porpoises require a great deal of patience and good luck. Boat trips and cliff tops provide ideal vantage points.

Shetland's internationally important otter population are shy and secretive. Despite having a higher density of otters than any other area of North West Europe, only those with patience will be rewarded with a sighting along Shetland's rocky shores - usually at low tide.

A profusion of wildflowers cover the landscape with a colourful fragrant tapestry - clinging to the cliffs, growing out of the sand, carpeting the meadows and caressing the hills and marshes. Over 800 species of flowering plants, some rare and some native to Shetland, are all testimony to the rich natural beauty of the islands.

The serpentine debris on the Keen of Hamar nature reserve in Unst is home to some of the rarest plants in Britain including the endemic Edmondston's chickweed. Several species of arctic-alpines occur on Shetland's highest peak, Ronas Hill.