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 a reason to look more closely at familiar places: the village and nearby Burra have both appeared on screen.
This spoiler-light guide introduces the programme and suggests how to explore its setting without treating the islands as a film set.
What is Shetland about?
Shetland follows police investigations in an island community where personal relationships often complicate the search for answers. First broadcast in 2013, it was originally based on Ann Cleeves’ crime novels. The production company, Silverprint Pictures, describes the series as Scottish noir, with the island landscape central to its atmosphere.
Douglas Henshall played DI Jimmy Perez through the first seven series. Ashley Jensen joined as DI Ruth Calder from series eight; Alison O’Donnell plays Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh. If you are starting from the beginning, avoid later-series summaries, which can reveal developments in the characters’ lives. Promote Shetland’s television guide provides an introduction and links to location trails.
Are the places on screen real?
The landscapes are a powerful reason to visit, but the programme is fiction. An on-screen journey is not a reliable guide to driving times, and a building used in a scene is not automatically a visitor attraction. Use a map to plan your own route and check access separately.
For episode availability and current broadcast information, check BBC iPlayer or the BBC’s programme listings before watching. Availability can differ by country, so this guide does not promise a particular streaming catalogue or broadcast schedule.
Scalloway’s connection with the drama
Promote Shetland’s Scalloway, Trondra and Burra filming trail identifies Scalloway Castle as a location in series five. The village’s real wartime history has a screen connection too: the Shetland Bus forms part of the first series’ storyline.
The castle is currently closed for conservation, according to Historic Environment Scotland. Do not assume that a scene filmed there means you can enter today. Plan a village visit around the waterfront and, when open, the museum instead.
Our Scalloway Museum and Shetland Bus guide introduces the real operation behind the television reference. Give that history time in its own right rather than viewing it only through the plot.
Continue towards Burra
The official filming trail also identifies Meal Beach with series seven, Minn with series six, and locations around Bridge End and Papil with earlier episodes. We have left out the plot details so you can explore without learning who did what.
Scalloway makes a natural starting point for an outing through Trondra to Burra. Choose one or two stops, allow time for walking and photographs, and adapt your plans to the weather. Our Trondra and Burra guide introduces the wider area. Consult the filming trail for the screen connections rather than assuming every scenic spot appeared in the programme.
Build a trip around places, not scenes
Promote Shetland publishes separate location trails for different parts of the islands, including Lerwick. Its Lerwick trail is designed for exploring on foot, while the wider Mainland routes require a car. Pick one area for a day instead of trying to follow the editing of an episode across the map.
Keep entrances and passing places clear, respect private homes and gardens, and follow any local signs or temporary restrictions. A camera used a particular viewpoint with permission; visitors should not assume they have the same access. Take care near exposed shores and cliffs, particularly in strong wind.
The most rewarding visit leaves room for discoveries that never appeared on television. A harbour walk, a museum visit or an unhurried afternoon in Burra can give the familiar scenery a different meaning. For a starting point in the village, see our half-day Scalloway itinerary.
