Things to See & Do
Scalloway’s working harbour: fishing, boats and village life
The castle may be Scalloway’s most recognisable landmark, but the harbour tells another part of the village’s story: the work that continues around the waterfront…
Scalloway
James McNabb
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Plan Your Visit
Island hopping in Shetland: how to plan your first ferry trips
A ferry journey can add a different rhythm to a Shetland holiday. It also adds a timetable, a boarding deadline and a return connection. The…
Things to See & Do
Exploring Shetland’s South Mainland: beaches, archaeology and Sumburgh
Shetland’s South Mainland combines sandy shores, farmland and archaeological sites with the seabird cliffs at Sumburgh Head. It is an area to explore in stages:…
Things to See & Do
A first-time visitor’s guide to Lerwick
Lerwick deserves time in a Shetland itinerary even if you are staying elsewhere. The islands’ capital brings together a working waterfront, an old town made…
Things to See & Do
BBC Shetland: a visitor’s guide to the drama and filming locations
The BBC crime drama Shetland has introduced many viewers to the islands’ harbours, beaches and open landscapes. For visitors staying in Scalloway, it also offers…
History & Heritage
A short history of Scalloway and Shetland
Scalloway’s harbour and roofless castle offer a starting point for understanding Shetland. The village’s story connects ancient settlement, Norse government, Scottish earls and wartime voyages…
Things to See & Do
Wildlife, beaches and walks in Shetland: planning time outdoors
Some of Shetland’s most rewarding outings begin with a simple decision to spend time outside. A beach walk, a patient spell watching seabirds or a…
Things to See & Do
Northmavine and Eshaness: a guide to Shetland’s dramatic north-west
Northmavine is a place for a day shaped by the weather and the landscape. Hills, crofting settlements and a deeply cut coastline give this part…
Plan Your Visit
Planning your first Shetland itinerary: three, five or seven days
Shetland rewards a trip with room to change direction. A clear day may tempt you towards the coast; another may suit museums, a town walk…
Plan Your Visit
Getting to Shetland: flights, ferries and planning your arrival
A Shetland holiday begins with a choice: fly into the islands or make the sea crossing part of the trip. The best option depends on…
Things to See & Do
Exploring Trondra and Burra from Scalloway
South of Scalloway, a chain of bridges opens up an outing through Trondra to Burra. Harbour villages, sandy beaches and coastal walks offer plenty of…
History & Heritage
Scalloway Castle: the landmark with a difficult history
Scalloway Castle is a striking part of the village’s skyline. Its surviving stone walls also tell a less comfortable story: one associated with authority, oppression…