Could Do List – Shetland in September 2026

You may be surprised by the huge amount of interesting events on in Shetland in September. We think it’s a great month of the year to visit!

On Friday, 4th September at 19:30 in the Carnegie Hall, Sandwick, Australian group The Maes return to Shetland following a hugely successful visit for the 2025 Shetland Folk Festival. Sisters Maggie and Elsie Rigby draw their audience with echoes of Gillian Welch and The Waifs, there is a timeless luminescence and simplicity to their songwriting and sound. Tickets are available here.

Also back for a second visit to the islands is award-winning contemporary Americana singer-songwriter, guitarist and harpist Lizzie No, who sold out Hay’s Dock back in summer 2024 and has recently toured with Iron & Wine. You can see Lizzie No on Saturday 5th September at 19:30 Auditorium Mareel. Book tickets here.

Pop along the Vidlin hall on the 6th September and enjoy an afternoon of Sunday teas and see all the produce on display at the Lunnasting Vegetable Show.

On the 23rd of September in the Mareel auditorium a 60+ coming-of-age story about resilience, irreverence, joie de vivre – and dancing will be brought to the stage! Taking place in the theatre dressing room of every show Kally and Steinvor have ever been in – past, present and future – Revel is a funny and moving new show fusing dance, physical theatre, dialogue and music, marking the long-awaited return of Scotland’s renowned Company Chordelia, touring Scotland 17th September to 23rd October. You can see more information and book tickets here.

Shetland Wool Week is a popular and fun festival celebrating Britain’s most northerly native sheep and the craft producers that make the most of the surrounding resources. Events include exhibitions, open studio tours, and master classes with well-known local and international knitters and designers. This year Shetland Wool Week runs from the 27th of September until the 3rd of October. Find out what’s on by visiting the Shetland Wool Week website, where you can also download a free knitting pattern!

Finally, if you’re looking for a great place to go in September, why not try the Ness of Garth? These ruinous remains of a fort stand on a lovely coastline near Sandness (map reference 60.308249N Longitude: 1.610932W). To reach it you’ll need to drive to da Westside and make your way along a bumpy coastal road, dotted with lochs and with sheep filled fields on either side. The Ness of Garth is next to the Bay of Garth and here you’ll find the ruins of two stone-faced ramparts. There are other buildings in evidence here too – possibly a monastic settlement. Please be careful though, as this promontory fort becomes an island at high tide!

We hope you enjoy your time in Shetland this September!

By Victoria Dixon Orkney and Shetland fanatic, likes to capture life through a lens, loves creating, eclectic taste in music, enjoys being a Mum; would secretly love to be a star of the West End!

Pin it!