VisitShetland

South Mainland Archaeology

Mousa Broch

Aerial view of Mousa

The broch, or fortified Iron Age tower, on the little island of Mousa is the only one in the world to survive almost complete from more than 2,000 years ago, when it was built as a refuge against raiding local tribes.

Mentioned in the sagas as a refuge for an eloping couple, Mousa Broch is one of the wonders of European archaeology - and also ornithology. Storm Petrels nest in its stone, visiting the broch only at night. A night excursion to the broch, to hear their eerie calls, is an experience not to be missed.

In daylight, Mousa abounds in other wildlife: a large colony of Common and Grey Seals basks around an inlet on the east side of the island; there's a chance you may see an Otter (Dratsi, in Shetland dialect); Fulmars (Maalies) and Black Guillemots (Tysties) are very common; and Great Skuas (Bonxies), Arctic Skuas (Aalins) and Arctic Terns (Tirricks) defend their nesting grounds by dive-bombing all intruders, humans included - so try to walk around the breeding colonies, not through them, for their sakes and yours.

The Mousa ferry across leaves from the village of Sandwick (the Tourist Office in Lerwick has details of sailings) and the trip is one of the best ways to see Harbour Porpoises (Neesiks) at close range, as they feed on shoals of fish in Mousa Sound.

The Crofthouse Museum

Crofthouse at Boddam

The Shetland Crofthouse Museum in Boddam is a straw-thatched homestead restored as it would have appeared about 100 years ago. Exhibits in the cottage, barn and byre include home made furniture, such as the box bed and Shetland chairs, as well as farm implements and a spinning wheel. Nearby is a restored watermill, typical of those which ground oats and barley for most Shetland crofting townships until larger water mills were built in the mid-19th century. Not far away, Quendale Mill has been beautifully restored and houses a museum of rural life.

Betty Mouat's Cottage

At Old Scatness, next to the major archaeological excavations, this croft cottage is now a camping barn, or 'bod'. In 1880 it was the home of an elderly lady, Betty Mouat who became a national celebrity after drifting alone to Norway. She had boarded the fishing smack Columbine, for a routine trip to sell her knitwear in Lerwick, when the skipper fell overboard. The remaining two crewmen launched a boat in a desperate and unsuccessful attempt to save him. The Columbine sailed on with Betty and the crew were unable to catch up. Nine days later she was wrecked and rescued on the Norwegian coast.

Archaeology at Jarlshof

Jarlshof

Officially described as "one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles", Jarlshof came to light a hundred years ago when storms exposed stonework above the beach at the West Voe of Sumburgh.

There are six main levels, from a Stone Age hut, perhaps 4,000 years old, through an Iron Age broch and wheelhouses to a sizeable Viking village and medieval farmstead. The Iron Age buildings are especially well-preserved, built out of the beautiful local sandstone. The site was given its name by Sir Walter Scott, who thought it sounded more romantic than 'Sumburgh'.

As at Old Scatness, less than a mile away, successive layers were buried by wind-blown sand, preserving artefacts now on show in the visitor centre at the site, next to the Sumburgh Hotel.

...and Old Scatness

Old Scatness Broch, next to Sumburgh Airport, a recent archaeological dig has revealed one of Britain's most exciting Iron Age villages, with many buildings standing at or near roof height and some still even 'decorated' with yellow clay! Buried for nearly 2,000 years, the site is rich in artefacts and remarkably well preserved - a unique opportunity to see how our ancestors lived.

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