Shetland among best eco islands

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Shetland has been named among the world's top unspoilt island destinations in a new survey.

National Geographic Traveller magazine's destination scorecard survey reviewed 111 islands across the world.

A total of 522 sustainable tourism experts drew up a list of islands which have avoided tourist overkill.

Shetland was ranked behind the Faroe Islands and the Azores. It tied with the islands of Lofoten in Norway and Chiloe in Chile.

One of the experts in the study described Shetland as having "everything with bells on", praising the spectacular sea cliffs, pristine beaches, geology and wildlife.

Andy Steven, the area director for VisitScotland, said: "This is absolutely fantastic news for Shetland and reflects our commitment to ensuring Shetland remains a world class visitor destination with a range of qualities and attributes unlike anywhere else in the world."

Islands in the survey were ranked on six different criteria, including the environmental and ecological quality, social and cultural integrity, the condition of their historic buildings and archaeological sites, their aesthetic appeal, the quality of their tourism management and their outlook for the future.