Welcome to the Shetland Islands

The Shetland Islands are the northern of two groups of islands that form Scotland's Northern Isles.  The Orkney Islands are to the south of the Shetland Island and immediately north of the Scottish mainland.  The islands are sparsely populated but have many points of historic and scenic interest that attract visitors during the summer season.

The Historic Scotland web site has information about places of historical interest in the region.  The Shetland Museum Service introduces visitors to the rich history of these islands and manages the Crofthouse Museum, a typical 19th Century dwelling, and the Böd of Gremista, an 18th Century booth used as a dwelling and working store.  The Shetland Heritage web site promotes the islands' cultural and natural heritage.

The Isleburgh Trust contributes to the social, cultural and economic opportunities in the islands.  The Trust also maintains the Lerwick Youth Hostel

The Nature in Shetland web site has information about observing wildlife in the islands and surrounding waters. The Scottish Natural Heritage is active in the Northern Isles.

The Scottish Museums Council has lists of museums in Scotland with basic information and, where applicable, Internet links.  Click here for the Shetland page.

The web sites for Shetland Islands Tourism and the Shetland Islands Council are very good sources of information for visitors to this island group.  The Fair Isle web site provides information particular to this remote island.  The BBC Highlands & Northern Isles and the Shetland Times newspaper web sites are very good sources of current news and other information for the region.  The Wirhoose web site provides an introduction to the Shetlandic dialect.

The hi-ways Gateway to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland is a partnership of agencies in the region providing a variety of public information, including tourism, transportation and maps.  

Transportation:  Access to the islands from the Scottish mainland is provided by air and ferry services. There is local bus service on the main island.

Airports:  Baltasound airport is on the northern island of the Shetlands.  

Sumburgh (Shetland) airport (LSI) is located south of the town of Lerwick at the southern end of the main island of the Shetland Islands and offers commercial passenger flights to airports on the Scottish mainland and to Fair Isle, the most remote island in the Shetlands.  The airport's web site has flight, ground transportation and other information to assist visitors with travel planning.

Tingwall Airport is located a short distance north of the town of Lerwick on the main island of the Shetland Islands.  It provides local services.

Fair Isle has a small landing strip for passenger services from Sumburgh.  The Fair Isle web site has flight and other travel information.

There are also smaller airport offering inter-island services at Foula, Lerwick, Out Skerries, Papa Stour and Whalsay.

Ferry Services:  Go to the ferry page for Scotland for information on services to and from the Shetland Islands.  Lerwick Harbour is the main port for the Shetlands and accommodates cruise ships during the summer months.  There are also local ferries providing inter-island services within the Shetlands.

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