My Shetland Recommended Local Contacts for 2026

Last updated on January 1st, 2026 at 01:08 pm

Having been lucky enough to visit Shetland nearly 30 times over the last 4 years I have got to know lots of great people and businesses.

Here’s my list of Shetland recommended local contacts.

These are all people and places I know very well.

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

• A fascinating place to visit and an amazing view from the cafe area. You can even stay there too!
• Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

Hoswick Visitor Centre

• I always try and squeeze in a visit to Hoswick when I am in Shetland. There is a lovely cafe that does sassermaet rolls and bannocks for a taste of something local too.
• Hoswick Visitor Centre

Shetland Museum

• This museum is always a hit with guests. It’s well laid out, always has great temporary exhibitions too and has lovely staff.
• Shetland Museum

Speldiburn Cafe

• It is well worth taking the ferry across to Bressay just to visit this cafe! Beatrice makes the most amazing cakes and soups. It’s also a popular stop after the most Northerly park run in the UK.
• Speldiburn Cafe

Da Haaf Restaurant Scalloway

• This restaurant is always busy with locals and always a hit with my groups too. Run by a lovely couple, it has a great selection of fish dishes, including fish macaroni!
• Da Haaf Restaurant Scalloway

Kergord Hatchery Bookshop

• This is a great bookshop with a fab selection of used books on a huge range of subjects. There is always a friendly welcome and always something to buy!
• Kergord Hatchery Bookshop

Frankies Fish and Chips

• Not only is this the most Northerly Fish and Chip restaurant in the UK it’s also one of the best. Mussels are always popular too
• Frankies Fish and Chips

Mareel Arts Venue and Cinema

• The Mareel is the UK’s most Northerly cinema. It shows a great selection of films and has lots of other events and activities too.
• Mareel Arts Venue and Cinema

Busta House Hotel

• This is one of my favourite hotels anywhere, not just in Shetland. I love the welcome, the nooks and crannies, the comfy beds and rooms, the great food and the amazing trees
• Busta House Hotel

Garths Croft Bressay

• If you want to see native Shetland sheep, visit a Polycrub and learn what it is like to live on Shetland then a visit to Garths Croft is essential
• Garths Croft Bressay

Shetland News Bookshop

• I love this bookshop. They always have a great selection of womens history/feminist books too
• Shetland News Bookshop

Braewick Cafe

• This great cafe has amazing views across The Drongs sea stacks. It also has a great menu with friendly service. There are glamping pods if you want to the stay there also.
• Braewick Cafe

Shetland With Laurie

• Laurie Goodlad is a tour guide, writer and now guide book publisher too. Check out her blog for lots of great information including a fab podcast and a link to buy her beautiful book too.
• Shetland With Laurie

Jamiesons

• For everything wool related including great wooly Fair Isle jumpers check out Jamiesons. Everything in the shop is made from Shetland wool.
• Jamiesons

Carols Shetland Ponies

• Carol has been breeding Shetland ponies for many years. She also keeps a flock of sheep on the hills around the house where she lives.
• Carols Shetland Ponies

Breckenlea Croft

• If you want to see Shetland ponies, sheep, and Shetland sheepdogs up close then Breckenlea is a must.
• Breckenlea Croft

The Original Cake Fridge

• The original cake fridge in Shetland. It’s now much more than a fridge, with a outdoor seating area, cafe and gift shop too. A recent addition is a shop in Lerwick as well.
• The Original Cake Fridge

Jarlshof

• The first time I went to Jarlshof I cried because I could almost feel the history coming out of the stones. It’s a fab site whether you are interested in archaelogy or not.
• Jarlshof

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