Must-see hotels in Shetland

  • Busta House Hotel

    Shetland

    This genteel, characterful hotel near Brae has a long, sad history and inevitable rumours of a (friendly) ghost. Built in the late 18th century (though…

  • Scalloway Hotel

    Shetland

    One of Shetland's best hotels, this energetically run waterfront place has very stylish rooms featuring sheepskins, local tweeds and other fabrics, and…

  • Almara

    Shetland

    Follow the puffin signpost a mile short of Hillswick to find Shetland's finest welcome. With sweeping views over the bay, this house has a great lounge,…

  • Gardiesfauld Hostel

    Shetland

    This spotless hostel has very spacious dorms with lockers, family rooms, a garden, an elegant lounge and a wee conservatory dining area with great bay…

  • Shetland Lighthouse Cottages

    Shetland

    The Shetland Amenity Trust manages three lighthouse cottages, all commanding dramatic views of rugged coastline: one near the airport at Sumburgh …

  • Burrastow House

    Shetland

    This fine old haa – the 18th-century seat of the local laird – sits in a lovely location on the shore of Vaila Sound, a couple of miles southwest of Walls…

  • Shetland Amenity Trust

    Shetland

    Runs Shetland's network of böds – simple rustic cottages or huts with peat fires, which might mean bringing a sleeping bag, coins for the meter, or even a…

  • Saxa Vord

    Shetland

    This old RAF base (though the radar station it served reopened in 2018) is not the most atmospheric lodging, though the tired barracks-style rooms offer…

  • Baltasound Hotel

    Shetland

    Brightly decorated rooms – some bigger than others – are complemented by wooden chalets arrayed around the lawn here. Rooms feel a little overpriced so it…

  • Braewick Cafe & Caravan Park

    Shetland

    On offer here are decent tent pitches and caravan sites, with or without stunning views over St Magnus Bay's weird and wonderful rock formations. It also…

  • Sumburgh Hotel

    Shetland

    A reliable country-style hotel, with renovated rooms that feature soft duvets, attractive colour schemes and big towels. Larger sea-view rooms looking out…

  • St Magnus Bay Hotel

    Shetland

    This wonderful wooden mansion was built in 1896. The owners are involved in an ongoing renovation – a major project – to return it to former glories, and…

  • Spiggie

    Shetland

    An enthusiastic family has taken over this old Shetland stalwart near Scousburgh and guarantee a warm welcome. The Spiggie has compact, pretty rooms as…

  • Maryfield House Hotel

    Shetland

    By the Bressay ferry slip, this solid old hotel has reopened and makes a fine alternative to staying in Lerwick. Comfortable rooms with good, large beds…

  • Ristie

    Shetland

    At the scenic northern end of Foula, near the spectacular sea stacks, this place offers comfortable self-catering accommodation in a modern croft house…

  • South Light

    Shetland

    In the keepers' cottage by the Stevenson lighthouse at the southern tip of Fair Isle, this is an atmospheric place to stay and offers two comfortable…

  • Quam B&B

    Shetland

    Just off the main road through Yell island, this farm B&B has friendly owners and three good rooms. Breakfast features eggs from the farm, which also has…

  • Fair Isle Lodge & Bird Observatory

    Shetland

    This well known bird observatory unfortunately burnt down in March 2019. The aim is to rebuild and for it to become again the mix of accommodation and…

  • Skeld Caravan Park & Campsite

    Shetland

    By a sweet little fishing harbour, this small, immaculately kept year-round campsite has white picket fences, lush grassy pitches and an excellent,…

  • Johnnie Notions' Camping Böd

    Shetland

    There are four spacious berths in this cute wee stone böd, 3.5 miles northeast of Eshaness, with its challengingly low door. It’s very basic, with no…

  • Grieve House

    Shetland

    The former home of famous Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid is now a simple camping böd. It has no electricity or shower, but there is fuel for sale. Prebook…

  • Betty Mouat’s Camping Böd

    Shetland

    This is a simple and comfortable hostel run by the Shetland Amenity Trust, with fridge, peat fire (£5 a bag), power and decent hot-water bathrooms. It was…

  • Solbrekke

    Shetland

    This bungalow in Sandwick offers some marvellous vistas over the Isle of Mousa from its hilltop vantage point. The two rooms share a bathroom; the small…

  • Windhouse Lodge

    Shetland

    On the A968 below the haunted ruins of Windhouse, you'll find this well-kept, clean, snug camping böd (hut), with power and a pot-belly stove to warm your…

  • Winwick House

    Shetland

    This pebble-dash bungalow is a handy year-round two-room B&B with some water views at the south end of Baltasound. A twin and a double are cosy and…

  • Sail Loft Camping Böd

    Shetland

    In previous incarnations, this building by the pier was a fishing shed and knitwear factory, but it’s now a camping böd, with coin-operated showers and…

  • Gord B&B

    Shetland

    By the shop in Fetlar's principal settlement, friendly Gord B&B has sea views and two twin rooms and one double, all with en suite. Home-cooked dinners…

  • Aithbank

    Shetland

    Near the Loch of Funzie and by the water, this cute cottage is a no-frills hostel with hot water and a kitchen. Take pound coins for the electricity meter.

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