Museums
Galleries
Visitor Attractions
Visitor Information - Shetland
History and Heritage
Castles
Activities
|
Museums
|
Visitor Attractions Visitor Information - ShetlandHistory and Heritage |
Castles
|
||
Out and About: |
|
|
The Shetland Isles are the most northerly of Britain's islands. The capital, Lerwick, is nearer to Norway than Edinburgh and the Scandinavian influence permeates the Shetland heritage. The annual Up Helly Aa fire festival, involving the ritual burning of a Viking longship, is just part of that heritage. There are over a hundred islands whose history dates back to Neolithic times, long before the Viking influence arrived in 800 AD. The archaeological sites at Mousa Broch, Climikin Broch and Jarlshof help to trace out that early period, as far back as 3000 BC.
|
|
Historic Buildings and Castles: |
|||
|
Castellated mansion, an example of a Scottish fortified house. |
A World Heritage site. Example of a 2000 year old round tower fortress on the island of Mousa. |
Unst. A fortified house in the east of Unst built in 1598. |
Lerwick. Built in 1665, guarding Lerwick harbour. |
|
SW of Lerwick. The broch is next to a loch and the settlement dates back to the Iron Age. |
|||
Museums and Galleries: |
|||
|
Tangwick Haa Museum Hillswick. Artefacts and photographs illustrating life in Northmavine. |
Lerwick. Extensive displays of archaeology, social and maritime history. |
Bonhoga Gallery Weisdale. Restored water mill houses the gallery and also the Shetland Textile Working Museum. Varied exhibits from local, national and international artists. |
Dunrossness. Restored croft and watermill. An insight into family life in that era. |
|
Gremista, Lerwick. The bod contains period furniture and artefacts plus displays focusing on the fishing heritage. |
George Waterston Memorial Centre Busta, Fair Isle. Social and natural history of Fair Isle and its archaeology. |
A small, community-run museum on the remote island of Fetlar. In the museum, you can walk through the many exhibitions on history, archaeology, folklore and wildlife. |
Isleburgh Exhibition of Shetland Crafts Lerwick. A display of Shetland crafts and culture. Its aim is to preserve and promote the traditional and contemporary arts and culture of Shetland. |
Visitor Attractions: |
|||
|
Jarlshof Settlement
Sumburgh. The Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement spans 3000 years of history from Neolithic to Viking times. Interpretive centre. |
Valhalla Brewery Baltasound, Unst. Britain's most northerly brewery. Guided tours, free tasting. |
Dunrossness. This is a fully refurbished ‘overshot’ Water Mill, circa 1867. |
Up-Helly-Aa Exhibition
Lerwick. The exhibition tells the story of the ritual burning of the Viking longboat, which takes place each January. |
Sport & Leisure: |
|||
|
Unst Leisure Centre Baltasound. Sports complex, heated pool, sports hall, squash court, fitness suite and solarium. |
Clikimin Leisure Complex Lerwick. Pool, toddlers' pool, river ride, flumes, fitness and health suites. |
|
|
Tours: |
|||
|
Boat trips to the Pictish beach on the island of Mousa. |
Week trips and short breaks. Phot safaris. |
||
Car Hire: |
|||
|
Lerwick and Sumburgh Airport. |
Lerwick. Good selection. |
Lerwick and Sumburgh. Self drive car hire. |
Lerwick. Car and cycle hire. Reasonable rates. |
|
|
