Find out more about intriguing Shetland - its rich history and culture, islands and wildlife - with our Shetland blogs.
Unst is the most northerly inhabited island in the UK and there are amazing castles, Viking houses, a replica longship, standing stones, rare plants, lovely beaches, dramatic cliffs and even colourful bus shelters to visit!
We’ve been told that our previous guides to the hidden highlights of Shetland have been helpful for frequent visitors looking for something different to do! So here’s another guide, with ten more brilliant, but less well known places to go in Shetland.
Shetlanders have always had a close relationship with the sea as a source of food, transport, and trade. From 1750, Shetlanders began Haaf fishing, which involved spending 2 to 3 days at sea in big, open wooden boats, sailing 40 miles out to fishing grounds!
On the uninhabited island of Mousa you’ll see an amazing Iron Age broch, which is nearly completely intact. We took a ferry over to the island and had a brilliant family day out, seeing birds, seals and archaeological treasures!
If you are visiting the amazing cliffs at Eshaness, make sure you stop at the Tangwick Haa Museum. On our visit we received a warm welcome and thoroughly enjoyed learning about what life was like for folk who lived in the area in the past.
If you only visit one archaeological site in Shetland, then it has to be Jarlshof. Located on the south tip of Shetland, this site was occupied for 4,000 years and contains buildings from many different time periods.
Shetland has a fascinating history and unique heritage. The stone-built buildings of the past remain standing and Islanders embrace their Viking heritage. Read our list of 12 historic Shetland places to visit!
The first time I visited Culswick Broch was in January and it was wonderful. I made my way to the westside of Shetland, and walked to the broch, which stands on a hillside, with a loch (and causeway to cross) on one side, and the Atlantic on the other.
The Ness of Burgi is an Iron Age blockhouse located on a precarious thin stretch of headland at the very south end of Shetland – there’s even a chain handrail to get you safely across to this dramatic historical site!
