VisitShetland

Golf

The First Tee At Dale Golf Course, Shetland

Shetland Golf Club is based at the 18-hole Dale Golf Course, just outside Lerwick. The varied and challenging course was built in the oil boom years of the 1970s and has a large and enthusiastic membership. It covers both sides of a dramatic valley, at the head of the sea loch of Dales Voe. A comfortable, well-equipped clubhouse has a cheerful welcome for visitors - who are usually astonished at the value for money when they see the green fees.

Just over the hill to the west, in the fertile and historic valley of Tingwall, the 9-hole course at Asta Golf Club is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. As at Dale, the charges are modest, to say the least, by mainland standards, and a bonus is the beautiful view of the Loch of Asta with its swans and other wildfowl.

Britain's most northerly golf course is run by the Whalsay Golf Club at Skaw on the rugged northern tip of this busy fishing island off the east coast of Shetland. The view is an epic panorama, but you may be distracted from your game by gulls, skuas, seals and the porpoises that often swim just offshore from the greens. This original and enjoyable course was largely constructed by the islanders' volunteer labour. An unusual feature is that it includes the Whalsay airstrip - so play must stop if there's an incoming charter flight.

Visitors are always welcome and there's a regular council ferry service from Laxo on Mainland Shetland.

Even further north, in Unst, there's a small, unofficial golf course among the sand dunes and links at Burrafirth, a spectacular, fjord-like inlet at the north end of the island. There are no facilities or clubhouse but it makes an entertaining practice course - and it's a special experience to play a few strokes here at midnight in the midsummer twilight, or 'Simmer Dim'.

For practice facilities of a high standard, the Moor Park Family Golf Centre at Gulberwick, just south of Lerwick, has everything, including a floodlit driving range and professional tuition. Very popular with local golfers, this modern, commercially-run centre also welcomes visitors year-round.

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2009 Photo Competition

VisitShetland is pleased to announce the launch of their 5th annual photocompetition.  This year's theme is 'Shetland's Wild Side'.

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Upcoming Event: Shetland Nature Festival

Shetland's 2nd Nature Festival is set to start this Friday until 12th July.  Don't miss this opportunity to join a variety of specialised wildlife tours with local rangers, photography sessions and expert talks.

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Geopark Shetland Celebrates Shetland Nature Festival

Building on the success of the launch of the Volcano Trail and Geopark Shetland website, Geopark Shetland is holding a number of exciting events to celebrate this years’ Shetland Nature Festival.

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Shetland Museum and Archives seeks information on Emigrants for Hamefarin Exhibition

In 2010, Shetland will host a Hamefarin (homecoming), welcoming Shetlanders from all around the world back to their home islands.  As part of the celebrations Shetland Museum and Archives is developing a special exhibition and are appealing for images and objects relating to Shetland emigrants. (Above photo:  Laurence and Ester Ward on Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, August 1954)

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