Scotland

Mainland (Shetland)

Britain's most northerly large island, closer to Bergen than to Edinburgh, with deep voes, sea cliffs and Up Helly Aa fire festivals.

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Mainland (Shetland)

Part of the Scotland islands map and the Shetland collection.

Names

Scottish Gaelic: Mòr-thìr, Sealtainn

Geography

A long, narrow island shaped by glaciation and the sea, with the dramatic cliffs of Eshaness and the sand tombolo of St Ninian's Isle.

Geology

Bedrock: Appin Group (Graphitic Pelite, Calcareous Pelite, Calcsilicate-Rock And Psammite), Neoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic. Superficial deposits: Peat (Peat). Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026, licensed under the BGS Open Data Licence (OGL v3.0). Source: BGS DigMapGB-625 Bedrock & Superficial WMS.

History

Norse from the 9th century until pledged to Scotland in 1469. Jarlshof shows continuous habitation from the Bronze Age to the Viking era.

How to reach it

NorthLink overnight ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick. Loganair flies into Sumburgh from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Kirkwall.

Accommodation

Hotels in Lerwick, plus camping böds, guest houses and self-catering across the island.

Nearby and related islands

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-08-13.