Guides › Scotland, UK › Shetland Island
City guide

Shetland Island

Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands, is an archipelago in Scotland lying between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway, marking the northernmost region of the United Kingdom. The islands lie about 50 miles to the northeast of Orkney, 110 mi (170 km) from mainland Scotland, and 140 mi (220 km) west of Norway.

Type Island

Why go

  • Archipelago in Scotland.
  • Served by Whalsay Airstrip (WHS).

History

Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands, is an archipelago in Scotland lying between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway, marking the northernmost region of the United Kingdom. The islands lie about 50 miles to the northeast of Orkney, 110 mi (170 km) from mainland Scotland, and 140 mi (220 km) west of Norway.

Restaurants & places to go

Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Most northernly Fish and chip shop in the UK. Small restaurant with takeaway. Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-19:00; Fr,Sa 09:30-19:00… · frankiesfishandchips.com
Indoor
Cafe · cafe and softplay · thevoecentre.co.uk
Indoor
Chinese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su, We-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 16:00-22:00 · Camp, Shetland, ZE2 9QJ
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Coffee Shop cafe · Shetland, ZE2 9LW
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant · Shetland, ZE2 9QN
Indoor
Restaurant · restaurant · Skelladale, ZE2 9QJ
Indoor

Airports

Lerwick / Tingwall Airport (LWK) 8.5 mi to the centre
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, SCT, GB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Whalsay Airstrip (WHS) 11 mi to the centre
Whalsay, Shetlands, SCT, GB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Unst Airfield 33 mi to the centre
Baltasound, Shetland Islands, SCT, GB
Outdoor
Papa Stour Airstrip 16 mi to the centre
Papa Stour Island, SCT, GB
Outdoor
Out Skerries Airfield 18 mi to the centre
Grunay Island, SCT, GB
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Laxo Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 3.4 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Vidlin Terminal
Ferry terminal · 5.3 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Toft Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Lerwick
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Lerwick Esplanade Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Bressay Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre · Shetland Island Council
Outdoor
Vidlin - Whalsay
Ferry route · Shetland Islands Council
Outdoor
Lerwick - Out Skerries
Ferry route · Shetland Islands Council
Outdoor
Vidlin - Out Skerries
Ferry route · Shetland Islands Council
Outdoor

Where to stay

Indoor
Glebe Sand, Garderhouse, Shetland ZE2 9NQ, United Kingdom · glebeshetland.com
Indoor
Busta, Shetland ZE2 9QN, United Kingdom · bustahouse.com
Indoor
Hillswick, Shetland ZE2 9RW, United Kingdom · stmagnusbayhotel.co.uk
Indoor
Brae, Shetland ZE2 9QJ, United Kingdom · braehotel.co.uk
Indoor
Orwick Lodge, Muckle Roe, Brae ZE2 9QW, United Kingdom · orwicklodge.co.uk
Indoor
Mainland, Shetland, United Kingdom · wigwamholidays.com
Indoor
Lower, Voe, Shetland ZE2 9PX, United Kingdom
Indoor
Bixter, Shetland ZE2 9LS, United Kingdom
Indoor
Twatt, Shetland ZE2 9LX, United Kingdom · accommodationshetland.com
Indoor
Maranatha Guesthouse, Skellister, South Nesting ZE2 9PS, United Kingdom
Indoor
The Lodge, Sandsound, Bixter, Shetland ZE2 9LU, United Kingdom
Indoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Whalsay Airstrip (WHS); 4 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Laxo Ferry Terminal, 3.4 mi); routes include Vidlin - Whalsay, Lerwick - Out Skerries, Vidlin - Out Skerries.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Shetland Island. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach