VisitShetland

Indoor Activities

Places to Go, whatever the weather

The Great Indoors
Summers here are drier than on the west coast of Scotland but when you do have a 'wet weather day' there's still plenty to do. Here's a selection of Shetland's wonderful indoor attractions:

Heated Swimming Pools
Nowhere in Britain has more sports centres per head of population. That's thanks to some of the islands' oil revenues being invested in the Shetland Recreational Trust which runs a network of pools, indoor sports courts and fitness suites. The biggest is at the Clickimin Centre in Lerwick, next to the main camp site and the beautiful Clickimin Loch with his prehistoric broch.
Outside Lerwick, you're never more than a 30-minute drive from a heated indoor pool. Our rural leisure and sport centres welcome visitors at Sandwick, Scalloway, Aith, Brae, Whalsay, Mid Yell and Baltasound, Unst.

Shetland Crofthouse Museum, Boddam, Dunrossness - just a couple of miles from the main airport at Sumburgh, this is one of our 'must-see' attractions.

Quendale Water Mill is a fascinating museum of agricultural history in a beautifully restored historic building.

Hoswick Visitor Centre has tea and home bakes to accompany displays of local history and textiles.

George Waterston Centre, Fair Isle, named after the founder of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory, this delightful little museum is a star attraction.

Bressay Heritage Centre is just five minutes across Lerwick Harbour by ferry and makes an interesting stop on your way to Noss National Nature Reserve.

Shetland Museum - Houses thousands of fascinating objects and documents inside this dynamic structure with its three-storey Boat Hall, Archives and Cafe/Restaurant

Shetland Library in Lerwick is a friendly, helpful place where visitors are always welcome. The Shetland literature collection is of special interest.

Lerwick Town Hall is a lovely Gothic Revival building that dominates the townscape and has some exquisite stained glass windows depicting Shetland's Norse/Scots history.

The Up Helly Aa Galley Shed in St Sunniva Street, Lerwick, houses a replica Viking galley and colourful exhibition on the famous fire festival.

Scalloway Castle has a 17th century dungeon with interpretive displays on the wicked Stuart earls who ruled Shetland and came to sticky ends.

Scalloway Museum in the main street of the village features a poignant display on the wartime 'Shetland Bus' operation.

Bonhoga gallery in the old Weisdale Mill houses visiting and local exhibitions, and also has a lovely cafe. 

The Bremen Böd in Symbister, Whalsay, overlooks a busy fishing harbour ans tells the story of the German Hansa merchants who dominated Shetland's trade for 500 years until the early 18th century.

Tangwick Ha' is a 17th century museum illustrating local life in the north Mainland of Shetland.

The Old Ha' of Burravoe is another restored mansion, converted into a local heritage centre for the island of Yell. Exhibits include the photographic archives of the late Bobby Tulloch, Shetlnd's most famous naturalist. Like Tangwick, Burravoe Ha' does a lovely cup of tea and home bakes.

Fetlar Interpretive Centre Mural

Fetlar Interpretive Centre wins awards for its cultural and natural history displays in this lovely green island with strange geology and rare Red-necked Phalaropes.

Hermaness National Nature Reserve has a visitor centre at the old lighthouse shore station buildings in Burrafirth with interactive displays that children love.

Unst Heritage Centre in Haroldswick includes an impressive geological collection among its ethnographic and wildlife exhibits.

Unst Boat Haven is a labour of love, put together by islanders who wanted to preserve the best examples of Shetland's traditional watercraft, including the legendary six-oared open fishing boats of the 18th and 19th centuries.

More details in your free copies of the Shetland Mini Guide and Shetland visitor maps - available on request from VisitShetland.

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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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Visit our extensive website www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk or call Shetland Wildlife on 01950 422483 for a choice of over 30 holidays!

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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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