Shetland Islands: Nature, History and Culture

The Shetland Islands combine a sweeping coastal landscape with archaeological sites, museums and vibrant craft traditions. The coastline stretches for nearly 1,700 miles (2,700 km); some rocks are almost three billion years old. Alongside geology and the sea, traces of human settlement shape the character of the islands.

Landscape and Birdlife

At Noup of Noss, sea cliffs rise to 181 metres, where tens of thousands of seabirds nest in summer. Hermaness National Nature Reserve is also a cliff habitat for thousands of seabirds. These two places offer different ways to explore Shetland’s coastline and birdlife.

In Hermaness Nature Reserve, the Saito Trail leads to the western cliffs. During the breeding season, you can see and hear nesting birds there; follow the current conservation guidance on site. The breeding season gives this trail a distinctive seasonal appeal, while the cliff landscape offers an impression of the coastal landforms at any time of year.

Archaeology, Museums and Architectural History

Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement brings together more than 4,000 years of human settlement in one place. The buildings and traces of settlement represented there include Bronze Age houses, an Iron Age broch, Norse longhouses, a medieval farmstead and a 16th-century laird’s house. If you are interested in early settlement, you can explore several eras here rather than just one historical period.

The collections at the Shetland Museum and Archives include prehistoric artefacts, maritime history, textiles, photography and archives. The reading room is open to anyone wishing to consult books, newspapers or records from the collection. As this is current visitor information, check opening hours before your trip. On Lerwick’s waterfront, Hay’s Dock is the last surviving section of the original dock; the building is a Category B listed structure. Sumburgh Head Lighthouse is Shetland’s oldest lighthouse, built in 1821.

Festivals, Music and Crafts

Lerwick Up Helly Aa takes place every year on the last Tuesday in January. The festival culminates in a torchlight procession and the burning of a galley. Check the exact date when planning your trip. The Shetland Folk Festival is also a recurring event: as the UK’s most northerly folk festival, it showcases international, Scottish and Shetland music; dates vary from year to year.

The Shetland Wool Week programme features exhibitions, classes and events centred on weaving, spinning and dyeing, as well as Fair Isle and lace knitting. Dates and programme details also vary from year to year.

The Northern Lights are locally known in Shetland as the “Mirrie Dancers.” Sea kayaking offers a way to explore uninhabited islands, deserted beaches and numerous sea caves. Local cuisine includes fresh fish and seafood, lamb, beef and seasonal vegetables. Milk and locally made butter and cheese round out the selection.

Getting There and Practical Information

Shetland is primarily accessible by plane or ferry. The NorthLink overnight ferry between Aberdeen and Lerwick takes around twelve and a half hours; the actual duration may vary depending on the route and operating conditions. To reach Noss, travel from mainland Scotland on the ferry from Lerwick to Bressay, continue across Bressay, then take a small-boat shuttle. Access may vary seasonally and depending on the weather; check current conditions before planning your visit. This allows you to include your journey and a desired excursion in your travel plans without conflating the different routes and their conditions.

Discover more destinations: Lerwick, Hillswick.

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