Shetland: Vikings, Puffins and the Atlantic Edge

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The route · 6 stops

1
Lerwick
1 night
Start at Shetland's capital on the east coast. The Shetland Museum and Archives on the waterfront tells 5,000 years of island history including the Viking era and the wartime Shetland Bus. Walk the stone-flagged Commercial Street, visit Fort Charlotte (17th-century artillery fort, free entry), and watch the fishing fleet from the pier.
Start at Shetland's capital on the east coast. The Shetland Museum and Archives on the waterfront tells 5,000 years of island history including the Viking era and the wartime Shetland Bus. Walk the stone-flagged Commercial Street, visit Fort Charlotte (17th-century artillery fort, free entry), and watch the fishing fleet from the pier.
The NorthLink ferry from Aberdeen arrives at Victoria Pier, Lerwick. Book sailings months ahead for summer; July and August are sold out quickly. The crossing takes 12-13 hours overnight.
2
Sumburgh
2 nights35m · 42 km from previous
Jarlshof packs 4,000 years into one coastal site: Bronze Age houses, an Iron Age broch, Viking longhouses and a laird's farmhouse. Sumburgh Head RSPB has one of Shetland's most accessible puffin colonies (April to August). Book the seasonal Mousa Broch boat trip from Leebitton pier to see Britain's best-preserved Iron Age broch.
Jarlshof packs 4,000 years into one coastal site: Bronze Age houses, an Iron Age broch, Viking longhouses and a laird's farmhouse. Sumburgh Head RSPB has one of Shetland's most accessible puffin colonies (April to August). Book the seasonal Mousa Broch boat trip from Leebitton pier to see Britain's best-preserved Iron Age broch.
Book Mousa Broch boat trips in advance; sailings run Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday evenings in summer from Leebitton pier, near Sandwick on the east coast.
3
Bigton (St Ninian's Isle)
1 night14m · 17 km from previous
The UK's finest tombolo connects the mainland to St Ninian's Isle via a sweeping double beach of shell sand. The crossing offers calm turquoise water to the east and Atlantic swell to the west. On the island, a ruined chapel marks where a Pictish silver hoard was discovered in 1958; replicas are in Lerwick Museum.
The UK's finest tombolo connects the mainland to St Ninian's Isle via a sweeping double beach of shell sand. The crossing offers calm turquoise water to the east and Atlantic swell to the west. On the island, a ruined chapel marks where a Pictish silver hoard was discovered in 1958; replicas are in Lerwick Museum.
The tombolo can flood at high tide in winter; in summer it is generally passable. Check conditions at the car park before crossing. The Shetland Crofthouse Museum at nearby Boddam is worth a detour.
4
Scalloway
1 night19m · 23 km from previous
Shetland's original capital until 1708. Scalloway Castle (1600), built by the tyrannical Earl Patrick Stewart, is now a roofless but atmospheric ruin. The Scalloway Museum beside it covers ancient Scalloway and the wartime Shetland Bus, a secret WWII operation that ran agents between here and Nazi-occupied Norway.
Shetland's original capital until 1708. Scalloway Castle (1600), built by the tyrannical Earl Patrick Stewart, is now a roofless but atmospheric ruin. The Scalloway Museum beside it covers ancient Scalloway and the wartime Shetland Bus, a secret WWII operation that ran agents between here and Nazi-occupied Norway.
Scalloway is 7 miles from Lerwick via the A970. The Scalloway Museum is open May to October; hours vary as it is volunteer-run, so check opening times ahead of your visit.
5
Eshaness
2 nights48m · 57 km from previous
Volcanic cliffs formed 395 million years ago drop to the North Atlantic on one of Britain's most exposed coastlines. Walk the headland from the lighthouse to the Grind o' da Navir, where storm waves have hurled boulders 50 metres inland. The Kirn o' Slettans blowhole plunges to the sea below. Two nights here allows day trips into north Mainland.
Volcanic cliffs formed 395 million years ago drop to the North Atlantic on one of Britain's most exposed coastlines. Walk the headland from the lighthouse to the Grind o' da Navir, where storm waves have hurled boulders 50 metres inland. The Kirn o' Slettans blowhole plunges to the sea below. Two nights here allows day trips into north Mainland.
Fill up with fuel at Brae before heading northwest; there are no petrol stations beyond Brae. The B9078 to Eshaness is single-track with passing places.
6
Lerwick
50m · 60 km from previous
Return to Lerwick for the overnight ferry to Aberdeen or a flight from Sumburgh Airport. The drive from Eshaness takes around one hour via the A970. If time allows, stop at Clickimin Broch on the south edge of town.
Return to Lerwick for the overnight ferry to Aberdeen or a flight from Sumburgh Airport. The drive from Eshaness takes around one hour via the A970. If time allows, stop at Clickimin Broch on the south edge of town.
The NorthLink ferry to Aberdeen departs Lerwick in the evening; allow one hour to check in. Sumburgh Airport is 15 miles south of Lerwick via the A970.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Shetland: Vikings, Puffins and the Atlantic Edge route?

This route takes 8 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Lerwick, Shetland to Lerwick, Shetland in Shetland Islands, Scotland.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

Any self-driven vehicle works well for this route.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Relaxed — plenty of time to linger at each stop.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Coastal, Nature, Culture, Scenic, Classic road trip.

Are there any practical tips for this route?

The NorthLink ferry from Aberdeen arrives at Victoria Pier, Lerwick. Book sailings months ahead for summer; July and August are sold out quickly. The crossing takes 12-13 hours overnight. Book Mousa Broch boat trips in advance; sailings run Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday evenings in summer from Leebitton pier, near Sandwick on the east coast. The tombolo can flood at high tide in winter; in summer it is generally passable. Check conditions at the car park before crossing. The Shetland Crofthouse Museum at nearby Boddam is worth a detour. Scalloway is 7 miles from Lerwick via the A970. The Scalloway Museum is open May to October; hours vary as it is volunteer-run, so check opening times ahead of your visit. Fill up with fuel at Brae before heading northwest; there are no petrol stations beyond Brae. The B9078 to Eshaness is single-track with passing places. The NorthLink ferry to Aberdeen departs Lerwick in the evening; allow one hour to check in. Sumburgh Airport is 15 miles south of Lerwick via the A970.

Shetland: Vikings, Puffins and the Atlantic Edge

The route · 6 stops

Lerwick

Sumburgh

Bigton (St Ninian's Isle)

Scalloway

Eshaness

Lerwick

Route highlights

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Shetland: Vikings, Puffins and the Atlantic Edge

The route · 6 stops

Lerwick

Sumburgh

Bigton (St Ninian's Isle)

Scalloway

Eshaness

Lerwick

Route highlights

Photos & videos · 0

No photos yet

Frequently asked questions

Ratings & reviews

Comments · 0

No comments yet

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