Top Things to do in Mainland
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What to do and see in Mainland, United Kingdom (UK): The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Mainland, United Kingdom (UK) including Shetland Museum and Archives, Croft House Museum, Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement, Scalloway Museum, Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, Lerwick Visit Scotland Information Centre, Clickimin Broch, Scalloway Castle, St Ninian's Isle, Tangwick Haa Museum.
Restaurants in Mainland
1. Shetland Museum and Archives
Overall Ratings
5 based on 682 reviews
Shetland Museum and Archives is located on Hay's Dock, which was restored during the building of this award winning visitor attraction.Discover the islands' many secrets through the exhibits and displays, and take a look in the boat shed where you can see demonstrations of traditional boat building skills. Also be sure to visit Da Gadderie, the museum's temporary exhibition area which hosts a diverse range of Exhibitions throughout the year.Shetland Museum and Archives is open daily and admission is free.
Reviewed By EcoArtTraveler - Billings, Montana
This is a fantastic museum, which appears to have been recently reinstalled / redesigned. The staff can be justly proud of their achievement. From dense exhibits of historic objects to more sparely designed Exhibitions, it is an excellent combination of interpretation and object. I would imagine they have still more in storage and were at pains to share as much as possible, but rather than seemingly confusingly crowded, their rich exhibit cases were well designed and thoughtfully equipped with just the right amount of text. It is a bit of a maze once you get into the main galleries, so if the day should ever come when more work is done, I'd pop another passageway or two in, but again, I'm sure the staff didn't want to leave out a single chapter of their history. Good little idea for indicating to visitors which objects are new acquisitions. Good hands-on exhibits and no audio features that didn't work (so annoying when that happens). We were there in advance of Up-Helly-Aa and were pleasantly surprised when the entire Guizer Jarl squad showed up. Wonderful afternoon.
2. Croft House Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By KeithJenner - Barnsley, United Kingdom
This museum if very well presented and gives an interesting insight into how people used to live in the Shetlands.
Lots of detail, and there was plenty of information available. The people onsite seemed to be very knowledgable as well.
Certainly well worth visiting as an interesting and enjoyable stop.
3. Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 270 reviews
The Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse settlements in Shetland are one of the most important and inspirational archaeological sites in Scotland. Jarlsholf is located at Sumburgh Head near the southern tip of Mainland Shetland. This extraordinary site has a complex of ancient settlements which cover more than 4,000 years of human history. You will be amazed to find such a range of archaeological treasures in one place, including late Neolithic houses, a Bronze Age village, an Iron Age broch and wheelhouses, a Norse longhouse, a medieval farmstead and a 16th century laird’s house. The fascinating interpretation centre houses a hands-on display of local materials traditionally used on site including wool, stone, slate and bone. Visitors can also learn all about prehistoric life and the history of the site.
Reviewed By roaming_kiwi58 - Christchurch, New Zealand
This is a really interesting site. There are 1000s of years of history here, and the different era are clearly displayed. We did Jarlshof as a shore excursion from our cruise ship moored in Lerwick. We had a great guide and really enjoyed this trip. It was quite cold and windy though! There is a good souvenir shop on site, but you have to go to the neighbouring hotel to use the toilets, or buy food/drink.
4. Scalloway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Clive M - Cambridge, United Kingdom
So many museums overwhelm with too many exhibits and a number underwhelm with very familiar types of exhibit. Scalloway manages to tread that delicate path between the two with enough to intrigue and inform without paralysing the brain with overload. The building is a nice...MoreMany thanks for your very comprehensive review and your lovely comments. You spoke to William Moore who's father owned the slipway where the Shetland Bus boats were taken out of the water and repaired. He therefore has a splendid knowledge about the Shetland Bus.
5. Sumburgh Head Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, Visitor Centre and Nature Reserve opened in June 2014 following restoration of the Grade A listed Lighthouse buildings at the southermost tip of Mainland Shetland. The area is an RSPB nature reserve, with the indoor spaces providing an interactive and stimulating way to learn about the social, military and maritime history, and the bird and marine life at Sumburgh Head. Rated a Five Star Visitor Attraction by Visit Scotland.
Reviewed By GreenThumb331 - Manila, Philippines
This historical 1821 lighthouse is constructed on Sumburgh Head which is located at the southern tip of Mainland Shetland. The word Sumburgh means ‘south fortification’ from sunn, meaning south and burgh, meaning fortified place - this is the origin of the word broch. Sumburgh Head has played a role in protecting Shetland at several points in the story of the Islands beginning more than 2,000 years ago when people first began to defend themselves.
The lighthouse sits 100 meters above sea level on a rocky cliff. Because of its strategic location, it played a key role for the Royal Navy and Air Force during both world wars. Radars were installed o detect incoming attacks. Nowadays, tourists visit it to see the wonderful scenery. We saw many adorable puffins on the grassy cliff tops sitting just a few meters away. You can also see them gliding with the strong winds. It is now one of the most accessible seabird colonies in Britain.
6. Lerwick Visit Scotland Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
At the Lerwick VisitScotland Information Centre we have an extensive range of information available and our friendly Visitor Services Advisers have an in-depth knowledge of Shetland, using our insider knowledge we will help you plan your Shetland Experience. In our shop we have a range of books, maps and gifts, we also highlight some of Shetland's many excellent craft producers with Fair Isle Knitting, Shetland Tweed, Lace Knitting, Shetland Fudge & Shetland Deli products available.
Reviewed By edwmagee - London
Good range of gifts and very helpful staff and very reasonable priced. Staff answered all our questions efficiently and gave advice about parking and directions
7. Clickimin Broch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Reviewed By Clive M - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Brochs always seem to feel very mysterious - their form and function appear obvious but the more you look around them, the less confident you feel that you properly understand them. Clickimin is no different. What adds to the sense of disorientation is its location: just opposite a Tesco's superstore on the outskirts of Lerwick. Originally surrounded by water and approached via a causeway, the lake is lower nowadays and so the broch is joined to the land. The main walls have been restored to about 10 feet. There are a number of buildings round the periphery of the tower and a stone with very indistinct feet cut into it. Worth a visit and you can do your weekly shop at the same time!
8. Scalloway Castle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By Clive M - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Patrick Stewart's rule over Orkney and Shetland although brief was tyrannical. It resulted, however, in two splendid buildings: the Earl's Place in Kirkwall, Orkney and Scalloway Castle on Shetland. There is enough left at Scalloway to clearly sense Black Pattie's vaulting ambition although the top two floors are missing. There are some information panels which are more or less helpful. There is a very brief guide kun the museum - it is hard to understand why Historic Scotland do not provide something more substantial, as at Kirkwall, about this interesting building and the life of the notorious Patrick Stewart.
9. St Ninian's Isle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By GreenThumb331 - Manila, Philippines
A short drive to St. Ninian was the first thing we did on this cruise visit to the Shetland Islands. We stopped at what looked like a rural agricultural area and viewed the beach connecting St. Ninian’s from across. The strong winds and drizzle prevented us from going nearer. In the island, there was a discovery of 28 pieces of 8th century silver under the church by a schoolboy excavating the area in 1958. The treasure was supposed to be a collection by a family hidden from the Viking raiders during this time.
We took some photos of the beach and the scenery instead.
10. Tangwick Haa Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Faedanorth - Lerwick, United Kingdom
Firstly I would point out that Tangwick Haa is NOT in Brae, it is between Hillswick and Eshaness. Nevertheless it is well worth a visit, with an amazing amount of local history included and many interesting exhibits. No entrance charge but donations welcome. It has had modern toilet facilities installed since our last visit. One point for those with mobility problems - about half the museum is on the first floor accessed only by a staircase.
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