Tour operator scoops award

A SHETLAND wildlife tour operator has won a prestigious award from Tripadvisor, the world’s biggest travel website.

Seabirds and Seals who operate the Dunter III have been awarded a 2014 Certificate of Excellence for “consistently earned outstanding feedback”.

The reviewers rate the daily wildlife adventure cruises at the highest, grade five level, making Dunter III Shetland’s top-rated tour boat and second only to The Shetland Museum as a local visitor attraction.

Since Jonathan Wills started the business in 1992 it has carried over 35,500 passengers.

In 2001 he pioneered underwater wildlife viewing using video cameras and a remotely controlled mini-submarine, or ROV.

Dr Wills said: “This really is most gratifying and reflects great credit on the crew of Dunter III, not only our new starts Ruairidh Mackenzie and David Watt but also Tom Bradshaw and Iain Derbyshire who put in so much hard work to achieve this award.”

He added that his aim was not to run “just another boat trip” but to provide an entertaining and informative experience that visitors would never forget.

“We show them the entire marine ecosystem, from plant plankton blooms up to top predators like grey seals and great skuas,” he said.

Comments on Tripadvisor have been a big boost to the Bressay based business over the years.

A recent Tripadvisor comment by a satisfied customer reads: “Brilliant 3h boat trip conducted by Dr Jonathan Wills around Noss and some of Bressay coast. Dr Wills is extremely knowledgeable about the local geography, wildlife and sealife.

“We were taken to see the seals around Noss then the guillemots and other birds nesting on the cliffs, finally into a cave where he used an underwater remote controlled mini sub with a camera to view under the water. He also used a microscope to show us the plankton. Very enjoyable and interesting trip. Highly recommended!”