Shetland Isles


Levenwick
  • Levenwick is about 17 miles south of the island's capital, Lerwick.

  • Levenwick bay with beach, headland walk and rock-pools are a 15 minute stroll from the campsite.

  • Local walks around Levenwick; broch remains, sandy beach, hills, cliffs, farmland, lochs, marsh and moor surrounding with various wildlife to complement.

  • Experience the magic of 'simmer dim' at mid-summer, and the aurora borealis as dark nights return.

  • We occasionally hold Sunday Teas throughout the year in the hall, serving hot drinks, juice, fresh sandwiches and home bakes. Check the Community Hall page for dates of what's been happening and What's On for future events.

  • Wildflower picnic garden adjacent to the campsite.


    The wildlife of Shetland is unforgettably varied. With huge cliff-face colonies of nesting sea birds, arctic hares, otters, whales, basking sharks, oyster-catchers, snipes, curlews, Shetland ponies and a unique breed of sheep, you're guaranteed to feel close to nature every day.  Rare migrant birds are sometimes blown off course and make landfall on the Isles. Daffodils line roadsides and fill gardens from late March to April followed by tulips and bluebells and the new buds of fuchsias which flower until autumn. Look for the Aurora Borealis during the cooler, darker nights and unimaginable star-gazing opportunities outside the magical simmer dim season.

    From the Levenwick campsite, take a short walk down to the bay where you will find a sandy beach and coastal walk around the headland. During the summer watch great skuas fly overhead and arctic terns and gannets fishing in the sea below.
1Things to do and other information

  • The Shetland Islands archipelago comprises around 300 islands, 16 of which are inhabited with the most northerly being Unst.

  • Sumburgh Head RSPB Nature Reserve: nesting sea birds and rare migrants. You may even be lucky enough to see a whale! The historic Stevenson lighthouse buildings have just undergone renovation and now include a visitor centre.

  • St.Ninian's Isle: the half-kilometer tombolo (sand-bank) which connects the isle to the mainland can be walked across except at very high tides or rough seas. A hoard of 8th century silver, which may have been stolen during a Viking raid, was found here in 1958 during an excavation. Some replicas of the treasure can be seen in the Shetland Museum in Lerwick. The Lerwick Port Authority's website has a useful tide timetable.

  • Scalloway Castle: Collect the key to the castle from the new museum in the town.

  • There are various guided walks and wildlife tours throughout the Isles (see link).

  • Boat trips to Noss, Fair Isle, Fetlar and Mousa: Take a guided walk to the old stone broch on Mousa at midnight while storm petrels fly in from the sea to circle the broch and call to their partners at the nest. Unforgettable. 10 minute drive from Levenwick, departing from Aithsvoe in Cunningsburgh. Day trips also. Call to book and check weather.

  • Lerwick town has an assortment of shops and local crafts, restaurants, Museum & Archives, live music and cinema (Mareel), supermarkets, car hire, bus station, a leisure centre and a very handy tourist information centre in the heart of the town.

  • Farmers' markets- various towns throughout the isles selling local produce. Craft Fairs and other events are also signposted (usually in Lerwick) as the dates approach.

  • Jarlshof and Old Scatness archaeological interest sites are located at Shetland mainland's southern tip. 'Viking Unst' in the far north is an excavation site with a reconstructed longhouse, replica ship, trails and other information on Viking Norse settlement.

  • Bonhoga Gallery at Weisdale Mill has a cafe, gallery and shop. Various other cafes and craft shops can be found about the isles. Look out for the new Craft Trail signs for authentic Shetland-made goods.

  • Sports: golf courses, sea-kayaking, leisure centre and diving guides.

  • Loch of Spiggie Nature Reserve and Spiggie Sands beach, ten minute drive south of Levenwick, taking a right turn off the main road. Wintering wildfowl and breeding waders. An osprey, bittern and a rare night heron have been seen in this area.

  • Shetland Nature Festival 1st - 9th July 2017, find events and activities including boat trips throughout the isles to enjoy the best of Shetland's nature.

  • Lerwick - Bergen ship races 2017 will take place between 21st - 27th June. Around 40 yachts compete. The race starts and ends at Korsfjorden, which is just south of Bergen in Norway.