Island Campers

1. South Mainland

There will be no campervans available for hire during 2011. We hope to be back for the 2012 season with new vehicles.

We appologise for any inconvenience caused.

The South Mainland of Shetland is a rich area both historically and agriculturally. As well as being the most fertile area of Shetland it is also the area of the first human habitation in Shetland

Exciting Archeology

The mark left by the some of the first Shetlanders can be seen at the Scatness Archeological Dig, a live open dig with a visitor centre which provides information about life in Shetland during the pre-Norse era.

Close by are the archeological remains of Jarlshof where there are examples of settlement from the stone-age and the iron-age as well as a sizeable Viking village and farmstead. The two communities at Jarlshof and Scatness would have existed side by side at one time. Whether this arrangement was peaceful or not remains an unanswered question.

A more recent example of human settlement in the South Mainland can be found at the Croft House Museum south of Boddam. It is a restored homestead typical in Shetland at the end of the 19th century and well worth a visit.

St Ninians’ Isle

At St Ninian’s Isle you will find Europe’s best example of a sandy tombolo, a geological feature connecting St Ninian’s isle to the Mainland. Due to the sea current approaching from both sides of the island, sand has been deposited over time and left a sizeable beach. While visiting the beach it is possible to see the remains of St Ninians’ chapel which lie just above the beach on the island itself. The island reached fame in 1958 when a schoolboy found the treasure of St Ninian, the collection is now housed in the National Museum of Scotland while replicas appear in the Shetland Museum.

Mousa

From Sandwick there is a ferry to Mousa, site of an important pictish broch. The island is also a good place to view, seals, birds and the occasional whale. There is also a colony of Storm Petrels on the island. Laura and Allan went here recently with friends visiting from Germany; taking a picnic and a bottle of wine to enjoy on the east shore of the island. The walk around the shore of the island is very pleasant.

Other areas of interest

There is an unmanned RSPB Bird Reserve at the Loch of Spiggie

There are two white sandy beaches close to the airport at Sumburgh.

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse is one of the Stevenson lighthouses, it is also an RSPB Bird Reserve. Puffins can be seen at close quarters in the summer.