Mainland

Mainland is the largest island of the Shetland archipelago in northern Scotland and functions as the administrative and population centre of Shetland. The island covers roughly 970 km² and contains the main town of Lerwick.

Coastal scenery, seabird colonies and archaeological sites are primary draws. Notable visitor sites include the cliffs and bird observatory at Sumburgh Head and the multi-period archaeological complex at Jarlshof; many coastal walks and short drives link scattered villages and heritage sites.

The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times and shows continuous occupation through Pictish, Norse and later Scottish periods; Norse influence is prominent in place names and local history. Key archaeological sites such as Jarlshof include remains from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pictish and Viking periods.

Mainland sits centrally within the Shetland Islands, off the northeast coast of mainland Scotland, roughly 170 km north of the Scottish mainland; the landscape is a mix of moorland, crofted fields and rugged coastline.

• Wildlife season: Best wildlife viewing is in spring and summer when seabird colonies and puffins are most active along the cliffs.

What to See#

• Lerwick: A settlement and administrative centre on the island’s east coast that serves as Shetland’s main town and ferry/air links to the Scottish mainland.
• Jarlshof: An archaeological complex with remains from the Bronze Age through the Norse period, including well-preserved structural remains and settlement layers.
• Sumburgh Head: A prominent headland at the island’s southern tip with seabird colonies and a lighthouse; has a long-standing bird observatory and steep coastal cliffs.

The island called Mainland in Shetland is reached by air or ferry. NorthLink Ferries operate the Aberdeen-Lerwick ferry (Lerwick is on Mainland), and scheduled flights serve Sumburgh Airport (southern Mainland) from destinations such as Aberdeen and other Scottish airports. Once on Mainland you travel by road on routes such as the A970 (which links Lerwick and Sumburgh) and local A‑roads to reach settlements; distances and driving times vary by origin and destination on the island.

• Use Lerwick as your arrival hub (ferry or flight) and Sumburgh Airport for quicker access to the south of Mainland; both make reaching major sites by car or bus straightforward.
• To avoid the busiest windows, visit popular spots such as Sumburgh Head and Jarlshof early in the morning or later in the afternoon when tour groups are smaller; the dramatic coastal viewpoints are at their best in clear light.
• Many visitors concentrate on coastal highlights; make time for inland archaeology and smaller settlements (Scalloway, Brae) which offer quiet cultural experiences that are often missed by day‑trip itineraries.