Shetland Islands Tourism Info

The Shetland Islands share a similar history as Orkney, it was annexed by Scotland on the same year (1468). Shetland also has its share of Norse History and Neolithic findings. Lerwick is the only town on the islands and the most northerly town in Britain. It is the main harbour and the ferry terminal serves routes to Kirkwall and Aberdeen, as well as the Faroe Islands and Iceland. It is a stop on most northern cruise routes. The water has much been a part of life as there are approx 900 miles of coastline, the furthest point from the coast is 3 miles from anywhere on the islands. Discover the fascinating natural environment where it is a haven for wildlife watchers, such as otters, puffins, orcas and on some of the remote islands you can spot a wild Shetland Pony.

Shetland dates back to prehistoric times, about 3000 years, so there is an abundant of sites and visitors centres. On the Mainland in Lerwick on the edge of the loch is Broch of Clickimin; a preserved farmhouse from the bronze-age (about 1000 BC). The area was excavated in the 1950s creating various different phases on show today, including the blockhouse (defense tower) inside the gates. The Mousa Broch is one of the most well preserved of the brochs found in Scotland. Standing on the uninhabited island of Mousa, the broch rises to 13m high. The isle of Mousa has a croft operating as a bird sanctuary near the ferry port. Jarlshof and Scatness are amoung some of the other remarkable archaeological sites to see.

Other historical sights and monuments to visit are the Scalloway Museum, Shetland Museum in Lerwick, Shetland Crofthouse Museum, and Scalloway Castle. For more information on the Shetland Islands download a tourist brochure.

Photo Credits: Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland