Cliffs at Westerwick

© Laurie Goodlad

West Mainland tour

Tours to Shetland's West Mainland are more flexible and are tailored more towards those who really want to get off the beaten track and explore Shetland on foot. More tour info is available on the website.

Stanydale Temple

Stanydale Temple is set in the heart of Shetland’s West Mainland, a short walk which will take you into Neolithic Shetland as we visit this 4,000-year-old, heel-shaped megalithic structure – the only one of its kind in Shetland. Shrouded in mystery and intrigue, tucked into the empty landscape, archaeologists are still unsure what the purpose of this Neolithic/Bronze Age structure was. The heel-shaped façade, similar to that at Islesburgh (Delting) and Punds Water (Northmavine), but the size incomparable to anything else on a local level meaning that the function of this 4,000 wonder remains untold. The beauty, for any escapist like me, being that its function remains locked only in the imaginations of those who visit.

I wrote about previous visits to the temple here and here.


This walk is just a short distance over the hill from the road but walking boots are necessary as the ground can be wet and uneven.


(From the road, to discover and explore, I would allow an hour for the Temple visit.)

Culswick Broch

Culswick Broch is a fantastic example of these mysterious Iron Age structures; made from red granite and standing on a commanding position looking out to sea, it’s a spectacular sight to behold!

But what is a broch? A broch, in simple terms, is a round, stone structure which is constructed using two drystone walls – an inner and outer – with a staircase built between the two to reach the top. They date to about 2,000 years ago, the mid-Iron Age, and are unique to the north and west of Scotland. We have about 120 of them here in Shetland – most lie in ruin (and Mousa is the best example in the world. You can read about that here). Archaeologists still dispute what they were used for – whether they were defensive or offensive; or were they storehouses, or high status ‘manor houses’ of local chieftains? We don’t know. All that we can be sure of is that they are shrouded in mystery, and carry so much intrigue about past societies and how people lived and worked here in Shetland.

I wrote a blog about the walk to Culswick Broch which you can read here.

The walk is 3 miles (4.6 km) and will take about 3 hours to complete. Walking boots are necessary as the ground is uneven and can be wet.

Westerwick & Silwick

This is a great option for those who want big, uninterrupted sea-views that can really pack a punch. The west side is packed with lesser-known beauty spots and the cliffs at Westerwick and Silwick are among the best this area has to offer. With dramatic sea stacks and views across to the island of Foula, this is an area thats beauty will stop you in your tracks.

For this short walk, walking boots are necessary – as is a head for heights! I would allow an hour or two to explore this area and you’ll want to bring your camera!

Burn of Lunklet

The Burn of Lunklet is close to the village of Aith and is well worth a visit. It is easily accessible via a short path from the road which meanders up the side of the burn until you reach the impressive waterfall. This is a great place to also visit the Original Cake Fridge & Tearooms.

Walking boots are needed as some parts of the path can be wet and uneven in places. An hour is needed to enjoy the waterfall.

Preis auf Anfrage


Abreisedaten

  • Montag
  • Dienstag
  • Mittwoch
  • Donnerstag
  • Freitag
  • Samstag
  • Sonntag

Januar — Dezember

Kontaktdaten

Shetland with Laurie

45 Burgh Road
Lerwick
Shetland
Scotland
ZE1 0LA

Tour information

Ab

  • Lerwick

Dauer

1 Day

Transport

  • Driver guide
Shetland with Laurie

Informationen zum Anbieter

Shetland with Laurie

Tour Guide operating in Shetland, offering sightseeing tours and walking tours throughout the islands. Blog: https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/podcast#/ Podcast: https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/podcast#/

Öffnungszeiten

By appointment, please email for availability.

Andere Touren von diesem Anbieter ansehen

Mehr:Shetland with Laurie
Shetland with Laurie

Shetland with Laurie

Fahrt ab: Lerwick, Mainland, Shetland, Shetland

Laurie is an STGA Accredited Green Badge Guide with a passion for all things 'Sh...

Mehr:SHETLAND TV tour: On the trail of Jimmy Perez
SHETLAND TV tour: On the trail of Jimmy Perez

SHETLAND TV tour: On the trail of Jimmy Perez

This is the tour that many people have been eagerly anticipating; a tour dedicat...

Mehr:Lerwick Walking Tour
Lerwick Walking Tour

Lerwick Walking Tour

Fahrt ab: Lerwick

Take a walk through Lerwick and explore the old part of the town which is repute...

Mehr:South Mainland tour
South Mainland tour

South Mainland tour

Fahrt ab: Lerwick

This is a full-day tour (which can be shortened to a half-day if necessary). The...

Der Inhalt vieler unserer Webeinträge wird von den jeweiligen Drittanbietern und nicht von VisitScotland bereitgestellt. VisitScotland übernimmt keine Verantwortung für (1) Fehler oder Falschdarstellungen in Webeinträgen und (2) die Inhalte externer Links innerhalb der Webeinträge ((1) und (2) werden im Folgenden unter „Inhalt“ zusammengefasst). VisitScotland schließt jegliche Haftung für Verluste oder Schäden aus, die durch Verlass auf den Inhalt entstehen. Der Inhalt dient nur zu Ihrer Information und wird von VisitScotland nicht unterstützt.