20 Attractions to Explore Near Fair Isle South Lighthouse

Fair Isle North is one of two lighthouses on the remote island of Fair Isle, between Orkney and Shetland. It’s located at Skroo at the north eastern most tip of the island. However, the North Lighthouse is a much smaller tower, only 14m in height because it can take advantage of the 65-m high cliffs on which it stands, to elevate the light giving a range of 25 miles. A foghorn is located further out on The Nizz, accessed by a path marked by iron railings.

A beautiful narrow peninsula that stretches to the south from the Scat Ness headland of Mainland, Shetland island. Shetland has a rich and accessible archaeological record, spanning the period from Neolithic settlement to remains from the 20th century’s wars. The Ness of Burgi fort, probably built around 100 BC in the Iron Age, lies on the Ness. The fort is isolated by a rampart and had a ditch on either side.

Sumburgh Head is characterised by steep cliffs, a historic lighthouse building and one of Britain’s most accessible seabird colonies. The head is a 100 m high rocky spur capped by the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse. Visit, and explore the history and natural heritage of Sumburgh Head from early geological beginnings and Iron Age settlers to Lighthouse Keepers, Whales, Puffins and much more.

The Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse settlements in Shetland are one of the most important and inspirational archaeological sites in Scotland. 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 West Voe of Sumburgh is one of the four Shetland beaches that have won a Seaside Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful. The beach is situated alongside the archaeological site of Jarlshof, which includes remains from the Stone Age through to medieval times. The beach is backed by marram grass sand dunes and has some spectacular views and closeby attractions.

Old Scatness is an archeological site on the Ness of Burgi, parish of Dunrossness in the south end of Mainland, Shetland, near Sumburgh Airport and consists of medieval, Viking, Pictish, and Iron Age remains. It has been a settlement for thousands of years, each new generation adding buildings, and leveling off old ones. Enter Iron Age houses, learn ancient crafts and games or dress up like a Pict or Viking. Visitor centre, workshops, tours, reconstructions and events throughout the summer.

Fitful Head is a 283-metre-high headland at the southwest corner of Mainland, Shetland, Scotland, some 6 kilometres northwest of the island's southernmost point at Sumburgh Head. Its summit is crowned by a trig point adjacent to a NATS installation served by a restricted access vehicular track which ascends from the hamlet of Quendale to the east. There are numerous islets and sea stacks at the foot of the 3-kilometre stretch of cliffs which form the coast here.

North Ronaldsay is the northernmost island in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland. With an area of 690 hectares, it is the fourteenth-largest. It is mentioned in the Orkneyinga saga; in modern times it is known for its historic lighthouse, migratory bird life and unusual breed of sheep. The island is famed for its rare breed of seaweed-eating sheep. These hardy and colourful characters live almost entirely on the wild shoreline, feeding on a diet of seaweed.

The Quendale Watermill is a beautifully restored 19th century overshot watermill complete with visitor centre and hot and cold drinks facilities. It was located in a rural location with historical locations and also scenic views too. Visitors to the mill are invited to watch a short professional video of the mill, with local people operating the machinery.

In the Bronze and Iron Age houses at Jarlshof, visitors can see saddle querns. These hand powered mills were large versions of a pestle and mortar. Later in Shetland, small ‘Norse’ water mills with vertical axis wheels were built next to a running burn. Examples can be seen at Huxter, Burland, Mousa and at the Croft House Museum at Boddam.

Start Point Lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1836, marking one of the most exposed peninsulas on the English Coast. Open to the public in summer months, it is owned and operated by Trinity House. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building

Shetland Museum and Archives is a five star VisitScotland rated Visitor Attraction, which welcomes an average of 86,000 visitors per year.The restored buildings that form this museum include not only the immediate steading with its house, byre and barn but also a typical corn mill, and the whole complex allows a fascinating insight into rural life in Shetland a hundred years ago. The furniture and fittings are mostly original to the house.

The Crofthouse Museum takes visitors back to a time where life’s essentials were of a bare minimum. The property is presented in the style of how it would have looked in the 1870s. Smell the peat fire, discover the box beds and try to set the traditional Shetland mouse trap. The crofthouse also has a lovely garden.

Clumlie Broch is an Iron Age broch standing on the Mainland of Shetland. The broch is to be found on Dunrossness, on the southern part of the island, about five miles north of Sumburgh Airport. It stands on a low rise on flat arable ground. The broch is at the centre of an abandoned croft, which encroaches upon the ruins.

St. Ninians Isle beach is a large tombolo on the west coast of Shetland. The beach here is a long spit of fine sand connecting the small isle of St Ninian’s to Shetland. Made up largely of shell sand, the symmetrical curve sandbar can be seen from high ground, such as the Ward of Scousburgh. The beach is in a rural farming region, with an archaeological site located on St. Ninians Isle.

This is one of the finest beaches on Shetland this beach slopes gently into the chilly waters of the North Atlantic. This is a dog-friendly, north-facing beach that faces into the North Sea. There are so many leisure options and also opyu can spend some beautiful time in this area by a sunbath and also a bath in the sea.

Hoswick is a settlement in Sandwick in the south mainland of Shetland, Scotland, on the eastern part of the Dunrossness civil parish. Hoswick Visitors Centre is a convenient stop for visitors, located halfway between Lerwick and Sumburgh. They have a popular café, a large range of information to help visitors planning their visit to Shetland.

Sanday Heritage Centre is situated on the outskirts of Lady Village. Located within Temperance Hall, the centre displays some of Sanday’s natural and man-made treasures and showcases some of the community’s history. Current displays focus on farming, the sea, archaeology, natural history and Sanday’s contribution to the First World War.

A beautiful island which was within Shetland Islands and is northeast of Little Havra Island, northwest of Holm of Maywick and southeast of Kettla Ness. South Havra was once home to eight families, whose houses were built on the edge of the precipice, to enable them to use all the good land. The island had no running water, and had Shetland’s only windmill but alas this was ineffective in grinding corn and the grain was sent to the mill at Weisdale.

Brochs are a kind of Iron Age roundhouse found only in Scotland, and Mousa is the best-preserved of them all. It is the tallest broch still standing and amongst the best-preserved prehistoric buildings in Europe. It is thought to have been constructed c. 100 BC, and is one of more than 500 brochs built in Scotland. The site is managed by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument.