Guided Tour of Lerwick and South Mainland

Proposed Itinerary 

Following a tour of Lerwick, the coach will travel to the South Mainland of Shetland to visit some of Britain’s best preserved archaeological sites and see some of Shetland’s most appealing coastal scenery.

Just off the A970, as it curves around the west end of one of the runways at Sumburgh Airport, you will view the "Old Scatness Dig", an archaeological project which has been under way since 1995.  After seeing the dig there will be a coffee/tea break at the Sumburgh Hotel, from which there’s a good view of the iconic cliffs of Sumburgh Head.

Next to the hotel is Jarlshof, regarded by some as just about the most inspirational archaeological site in Scotland.  It consists of a multi-period settlement complex which was in use from the bronze age until the 19th century.  

The coach party will then pause for lunch at the Spiggie Hotel which is located in unspoilt countryside claimed to be "the Garden of Shetland".  On the way to the hotel the coach will stop at the Peerie Voe.  To view an archive photo of the Peerie Voe, from the Shetland Museum and Archives’ extensive photo gallery, please click here

After lunch there is still a full and varied itinerary, starting with a drive north passing through scenic Scousburgh and Bigton before arriving at St Ninian’s Isle.

St Ninian’s Isle became famous in 1958, when a schoolboy helping at an archaeological dig on the island's tiny Celtic chapel discovered a hoard of silver bowls and ornaments. The treasure, believed to date from around 800AD, is at present in the Museums of Scotland in Edinburgh but replicas are displayed at the Shetland Museum in Lerwick.

On the return journey to Lerwick, the coach will stop to view Shetland’s historic capital of Scalloway before continuing through Tingwall.  The place name ‘Tingwall’ is derived from the old Norse word Thing-Vollr, which means 'assembly field'.  A Thingvollr was a very early example of democracy where free men gathered in an open-air assembly and laws were made and disputes settled.

The last stop for this exciting field trip is the new Shetland Museum and Archives.   With over 3,000 artefacts on two floors, a wealth of easily accessible archival material, a temporary exhibition area, Boat Hall, public art, auditorium, shop and Café Restaurant.  There is something for everyone who wants to know about Shetland’s unique culture and heritage.