Shetland

Shetland Islands Europe > Britain and Ireland > United Kingdom > Scotland > Shetland Islands The Shetland Islands are the most northerly part of the United Kingdom, a group of islands 100 mi (160 km) north of mainland Scotland . The largest town, Lerwick , is closer to Norway than to Edinburgh, and culturally and geographically they feel more Norse than Scottish. They're low-lying and treeless, divided by long fjords ("voes") and sparsely populated, but prosperous thanks to the oil industry. Islands and towns Mainland is the main island in the group, with most of the population. To avoid ambiguity, on this and related pages the term Mainland, cap "M", refers to this island, while the landmass of Great Britain to the south is referred to as the Scottish mainland, small "m". The chief settlements on Mainland are: 🌍 Lerwick is the only town of any size on the islands, with a population of some 7000, about a third of Shetland's total. Much of it is modern and industrial, centred around its busy port. It does have some attractive 18th- and 19th-century architecture, and its sights include the Broch of Clickimin, Fort Charlotte, and a couple of museums. It has the most accommodation, eating and drinking, and is the obvious base for visitors, with good access to the rest of Shetland. 🌍 Scalloway is a small town on the west coast six miles from Lerwick. Until 1708 it was the island's capital. It has a castle and museum, plus a marina, shops and accommodation. Trondra, West Burra and East Burra are three islands connected to Scalloway by road, and thus part of Mainland. 🌍 Voe is at a road junction in north Mainland: it's a common name meaning sea-inlet. 🌍 Brae is where the main road crosses "Mavis Grind", the neck of land across to Northmavine, the northwest part of Mainland. 🌍 Sullom Voe is an inlet with a large oil terminal. Gas and some of the oil is brought ashore by pipeline, but most of the oil comes by shuttle tankers from the fields. It's a storage facility, with no refineries, and other tankers carry the crude oil and gas onward. 🌍 Hillswick has wildlife, high sea cliffs, and true Arctic tundra. A little way south, the island of Muckle Roe has been linked by road to Mainland. 🌍 Walls in the west of Mainland has Staneydale Temple, a Neolithic structure. 🌍 Sumburgh : flights from the Scottish mainland land here, 25 miles south of Lerwick. It has the prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof, and an RSPB reserve on Sumburgh Head. The other inhabited islands are: 🌍 Bressay is just east of Lerwick. It provides access to the nature reserve and spectacular sea-cliffs on the island of Noss . 🌍 Yell is the second largest island, linked by short ferry crossings to Mainland to the south, Unst to the north, and Fetlar to the east. 🌍 Unst is the most northerly inhabited island in Scotland and the United Kingdom. It has Viking heritage, unspoilt scenery, and the Hermaness nature reserve where thousands of seabirds nest. 🌍 Fetlar is divided by the curious Funzie Girt, a Neolithic stone wall. 🌍 Papa Stour to the northwest of Mainland has great sea-cliffs, arches and "gloups". 🌍 Vaila — south of Walls is an island with a sheep farm, and has no ferry service. 🌍 Whalsay is a fishing and crofting island that few visit. 🌍 Out Skerries are smaller islands to the northeast. 🌍 Fair Isle midway between Orkney and Shetland, and 🌍 Foula away west, vie for the title of Britain's most remote inhabited island. By most definitions, Fair Isle edges it. Understand Shetland is 60 degrees north, on the same latitude as Hudson Bay and the Yukon. It’s windy! In mid-summer the day is almost 20 hours long, with only a brief “simmer dim” before sunrise. You can easily get sunburnt, not noticing the sun in the cool breeze, in between getting drenched by showers. Winter days are short, gloomy affairs. Lerwick Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D 150 6 2 123 6 2 109 7 2 68 8 4 57 11 6 60 13 8 68 14 10 89 15 11 106 13 9 131 10 7 143 8 4 150 7 3 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation + Snow totals in mm Source: Wikipedia . See a seven day forecast for the Shetland Islands ( Lerwick ) here . Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D 5.9 43 36 4.8 42 35 4.3 44 36 2.7 47 39 2.2 51 42 2.4 55 47 2.7 58 50 3.5 58 51 4.2 55 48 5.1 51 44 5.6 47 40 5.9 44 37 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation + Snow totals in inches Shetland was settled from prehistoric times and because there were few trees, dwellings had to be made of stone. So these have survived better than elsewhere: Jarlshof dates back to 2500 BC. From 800 AD Shetland came under Viking rule, and (as in Orkney) this lasted until 1472 when the northern islands were ceded to Scotland. The people spoke “Norn”, a North Germanic / Scandinavian language which only died out in 1850 - this news failed to reach the remote island of Foula, where one native speaker was still alive in the 1920s. The culture was never Gaelic, but Norse, and this lives on in place names, traditions such as Up Helly Aa, the style of music, and the local dialect — see Shetland ForWirds . And a medieval transcription error changed Hjaltland into “Zetland”, so these islands became Britain’s most northerly misprint. Shetland was transformed by North Sea oil in the 1970s. A huge oil terminal was built at Sullom Voe near Brae on Mainland. Oil money halted population decline and boosted the economy, so roads and other infrastructure are good and unemployment is low. But this industry is facing its sunset, as easily-reached reserves run low and exploration moves into deeper more dangerous waters to the west, at the limit of what is technically achievable, financially viable and politically acceptable. Shetland needs to broaden its economy and is turning back to crofting and fishing: there are many fish farms in the sheltered voes. Tourism also grew: Shetland has good air and car ferry connections, and Lerwick is a regular port of call for cruise ships. There are over 100 islands, with Mainland and ten others inhabited. Several others have been linked by road, to become part of Mainland, and there are some natural causeways: Mavis Grind is not a fearsome barmaid but the strip to the northwest peninsula of Northmavine. Nine of the ten outliers have a ferry service, and Noss and Mousa are uninhabited but routinely visited by boat trips. A couple of others have no residents but the land agents haven’t totally despaired of attracting a wealthy new owner to re-build the derelict farm cottage: scan the upmarket property magazines for places you could be lord of, for the same price as a two-bedroom terraced house in London. Visitor information Visitor information is available from the Tourist Office in Lerwick and online . Get in Shetland has few international links so you need to travel via the Scottish mainland. By plane Sumburgh Airport ( LSI IATA ) is at the southern tip of mainland Shetland in the village of the same name , 25 miles south of Lerwick. Domestically, Loganair regularly fly to Sumburgh from Aberdeen , Dundee , Edinburgh , Glasgow , Inverness and Kirkwall in Orkney. Additionally, there are occasional flights from London and a seasonal service from Bergen in Norway. Irrespective of the route you travel, a Loganair flight may stop off at another airport on the way to pick up more passengers, before moving on to Sumburgh. Loganair is a full-service airline, with 20 kg checked baggage included in the fare; they use medium-sized twin-prop aircraft such as the Saab 340. There are also flights within the Shetland Islands, see "Get around". Sumburgh's airport is small, with a café/bar, shop, Wi-Fi Internet and an ATM. An hour before your flight should be fine for check-in, as neither security nor retailing are as overgrown as in larger airports like Edinburgh or Glasgow. One runway crosses the A970 main road, so this is closed by a warden and a barrier whenever a flight is inbound or taking off. Pick up and drop off by car is free, but airport parking is charged. Car hire is available at the airport from Star Rent a Car or Bolts Car Hire . These also act for the major companies (Avis, Hertz) that you may choose to book through. Their depots are off-site, so they'll meet you and transfer you to your car. They only have small fleets; so book in advance. Taxis: every Lerwick-based taxi firm serves the airport, plus Boddam Cabs +44 1950 460111 and Sumburgh Airport Taxis +44 1950 460560. In 2021 the fare between Sumburgh Airport and Lerwick was about £55, so expect it to be higher nowadays. Bus 6 and 6E run daily from Sumburgh Airport and village to Lerwick every 90 minutes. The bus stop is located just outside the entrance to the 🌍 airport building . The journey takes one hour and (as of May 2025) costs £2.90. See the South Mainland bus timetable here: ZetTrans . Other airports Scatsta Airport near Sullom Voe Oil Terminal doesn't have commercial flights, it's only used to bring in oil workers from Aberdeen. They then wriggle into their survival gear and transfer to helicopters for the oil rigs out in the North Sea. Lerwick/Tingwall Airport only offers inter-island flights, see "Get around". It's a 15-minute drive from Lerwick. By boat Northlink Ferries sail every night between Aberdeen and Lerwick . On four nights the journey is non-stop, leaving at 7PM to arrive for 7:30AM in both directions. The other three nights per week, the ferry also calls at Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. On those nights it sails around 5PM to make the extra stop and reach its final destination at the usual time. See Kirkwall#Get in for need-to-know info about the Aberdeen-Kirkwall and Kirkwall-Lerwick services. In Aberdeen, follow signs to the harbour, which is behind Union Square shopping centre and a few minutes' walk from Aberdeen's railway and bus station. You're aiming for the big white ship with a blue hairy-scary pointing Viking on its side. Follow the relevant signs for foot passengers or queuing vehicles. They may ask for photo ID, and hand you a disclaimer stating that you're travelling at your own risk: the crossing can be rough. On board, the cabins are small but have decent bunks with a private toilet and shower. Alternately, you can sleep in the reclining aircraft-style seats in the lounge, or stretch out on the couches in the bar once it has closed. Taking some seasickness/travel sickness tablets before you sleep is a very wise move. If you take a sleeping bag and pillow, you'll have to carry them around as staff won't let you leave them unattended. There's no access to vehicles once at sea, so you need to gather up all your kit and caboodle before locking up and going upstairs. The ferry is comfy and well-equipped. There are two bars, a self-service restaurant, and a table-service restaurant. There's also a cinema, though if it's rough, watching a film in a dark room is a good recipe for seasickness. The ship's interior is all non-smoking, but there is an outside deck where you can smoke. If the weather is fair, there may be access to the upper deck until late at night, and again early morning as you approach Lerwick. If you get up early enough, you might just get a view of Fair Isle . Arrival in Shetland is announced at 6:30AM and the self-service restaurant opens for breakfast. The ferry docks at 7:30AM, and drivers must leave promptly t [... truncated ...]

By Plane

The nearest major international airports serve Scotland with connections from across the UK, Europe, and beyond. Regional airports in the area provide additional domestic and European services. Airport buses and taxis connect to the town centre.

By Train

The local railway station is served by regular services on the British rail network. Train services connect to major cities across Scotland and the wider UK. National Rail Enquiries provides schedule and fare information. Advance booking typically offers better rates.

By Car / Road

Shetland is accessible by road via the UK's motorway and A-road network. Major routes connect the town to nearby cities and regions. Bus services provide affordable connections. Parking is generally available in designated areas in and around the town centre.

Shetland is compact and easily explored on foot. The town centre, with its shops, restaurants, and historical buildings, is pedestrian-friendly. For exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby attractions, a car is recommended. Local bus services operate within the town and to neighbouring communities. Taxis are available for shorter journeys.

• The historic town or city centre with its traditional architecture

• Local landmarks, churches, and heritage buildings

• Scenic viewpoints and natural attractions in the surrounding area

• Nearby parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces

• Walking tours exploring the town's heritage and architecture

• Outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and watersports in the surrounding area

• Visiting local museums, galleries, and cultural centres

• Exploring nearby countryside, coastline, or parks

• Sampling local food and drink at pubs, restaurants, and cafes

Dining options in Shetland range from traditional gastropubs and cafés to fine-dining restaurants. Local specialities include fresh seafood, locally sourced meat and game, and seasonal produce. Many establishments pride themselves on using local ingredients and supporting regional producers.

Typical British pub fare (fish and chips, Sunday roasts, pies) is widely available, alongside international cuisines reflecting the area's diversity. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are increasingly common.

Traditional pubs serving local ales are found throughout the town. Craft beer has a growing presence, with local microbreweries supplying both pubs and bottle shops. Tea rooms and cafés offer a quintessentially British experience. The area is well-served by coffee shops and independent roasters.

Budget

• Budget hotels and hostel accommodation available, with dorm beds from £20/night.

Mid-range

• Bed & breakfasts and guesthouses offer doubles from £70–120 per night.
• Chain hotels (Premier Inn, Travelodge, Holiday Inn) provide consistent quality.

Upscale

• Boutique hotels, country house hotels, and historic inns offer doubles from £150.

Local shops offer a range of goods from well-known brands to local crafts and speciality foods. Markets and independent retailers provide character and authentic finds. Typical opening hours are Monday–Saturday 09:00–17:30, with some stores open on Sundays. Many towns have a weekly market day.

From Shetland, travellers can easily continue exploring other destinations within Scotland and the wider United Kingdom. The well-connected transport network makes it straightforward to reach neighbouring towns, cities, and attractions.