VisitShetland

Scalloway

Scalloway: 'The Ancient Capital'

The fishing port of Scalloway, Shetland's capital until the 18th century, is a picturesque and surprisingly leafy village, shielded from Atlantic gales by the rugged isles of Trondra and Burra. To the north lie Tingwall's fertile valley and the promontories of Whiteness and Weisdale.

Scalloway

Silhouette of Scalloway Castle

Overlooking the fine new harbour is Earl Patrick Stewart's Scalloway Castle, built by forced labour in 1600. It's a grand example of a Scottish fortified house, but was occupied for less than a century and is now roofless. Beneath the grand banqueting hall are large kitchens and a dungeon where 17th century 'witches', condemned to die on nearby Gallows Hill, awaited their fate. The castle is in the care of Historic Scotland and open to the public.

Scalloway Museum

A short walk along New Street (past a curious stone plaque depicting a theory of tidal motion) is the Scalloway Museum, opposite the Burn Beach. There's a fascinating display on the wartime exploits of Norway's `Shetland Bus' heroes, who made the village their secret base. Further west on Main Street is the Prince Olav Slipway, which was built by the Norwegians to repair the boats damaged by storms and enemy action during raids on their Nazi occupied homeland. Across the street Norway House was their barracks. The Museum also houses memorabilia from Scalloway's past, particularly the history of fishing in the district.

Traditional boats drawn up on shore recall the Viking past: in Norse times Scalloway (meaning `the bay of the booths') was the landing place for delegates attending Shetland's annual parliament or 'Ting', held on the Lawting Holm in Tingwall Loch, two miles north of the village. In those days there were no roads and most traffic went by sea - as it did well into the 19th century.

Small boats in Scalloway

Scalloway marina

Nowadays the port of Scalloway sees a wide variety of craft, ranging from coasters and offshore oilfield tenders to trawlers, fish farm workboats and a growing fleet of pleasure boats and yachts in the two sheltered marinas. For the visiting yacht skipper, Scalloway makes an ideal base for cruising the west coast of Shetland.

Out at Port Arthur, beyond the west marina and Scalloway Boating Club, visitors are also welcome at the North Atlantic Fisheries College where you can peep into the mother and baby unit of a Lobster hatchery.

Scalloway's other attractions include its heated, 17-metre, indoor swimming pool, the public hall (much used as a concert venue), a youth centre, a visiting artists' studio, a hotel and guest houses, a celebrated fish and chips cafe, the college's fish restaurant, pubs, shops and playing fields.

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