
Pretty island 'oozes history' with little town that's 'one of best in the country'
This destination simply cannot be overlooked if you're seeking a getaway in the UK this summer. It's the ideal spot to unwind and soak up breathtaking views.
This isle has earned recognition from Lonely Planet as amongst Scotland 's finest, and it's no wonder this legendary location has secured its place on the list. Lonely Planet describes the mainland Shetland isle as one that "oozes" heritage through its magnificent terrain.
The guide states: "You'll sense it as you cruise past the historic harbor of Lerwick, or descend onto the ruler-sized runway at Sumburgh Airport, passing the low-lying hummocks of Jarlshof, where 4000 years of history spills onto the shoreline - in this one spot, you'll find Neolithic remains, Bronze Age homes, Iron Age wheelhouses, Viking longhouses, even the ruined mansion of a medieval earl."
During your stay, a trip to Lerwick is absolutely essential. Visit Scotland notes: "Lerwick is the perfect starting point for exploring Shetland. Head north for a weekend break or holiday in Lerwick and explore this pretty harbour town."
"Wander around the quirky lanes made famous by Jimmy Perez in the BBC Shetland TV series, step back in time at the Iron Age broch of Clickimin, spot seabirds and seals on a wildlife boat tour around Bressay or enjoy traditional Shetland music."
For those curious about activities in the region, there's an enormous range of attractions and experiences on offer. You can discover the charming Lerwick Harbour, which ranks among the area's most sought-after attractions, reports the Express.
According to Tourist Checklist, the harbour stands as one of the most stunning locations across the Shetland Islands. The guide notes: "The harbor bustles with activity, making it a great place to take a leisurely stroll. You can watch fishing boats come and go, offering a vibrant view of daily life in Lerwick."
Local residents on Reddit share insights into island living, with one remarking: "On a day of good of weather there is no better place to be and there are loads of great beaches." The Shetland Museum and Archives represents another unmissable destination during your stay on the island.
A Tripadvisor reviewer gushed: "One of the best museums I have visited! A really varied display taking you through Shetland's history from its geology to its archeology and into the modern day. Fabulously presented exhibits and well thought out. Really enjoyed!".
Another visitor commented: "The museum was excellent at presenting the history of the area from a geological and cultural point of view. "There was so much information and so many historical artifacts. The staff was great and so friendly and welcoming. It was a great experience."
For those seeking an escape from the chaos and crowds of mainstream tourist hotspots, this destination might just tick all the right boxes.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Tell us about a trip to a remote part of Europe – you could win a holiday voucher
There are times when we want to disappear from the world for a while and escape to somewhere truly off-the-beaten track. Whether it's a remote island, a forest hideaway, a sparsely populated swathe of countryside, or a town few tourists visit, we want to hear about trips in Europe where you've really been able to get away from it all. The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website. Keep your tip to about 100 words If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it's your words we will be judging for the competition. We're sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition. The competition closes on Monday 18 August at 10am BST Have a look at our past winners and other tips Read the terms and conditions here Share your travel tip using the form below. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. First name only if you prefer This competition is only open to UK-based readers If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.


Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Pretty island 'oozes history' with little town that's 'one of best in the country'
If you're looking to go on holiday in the UK this summer, there's one town that you absolutely can't miss. The pretty little town has been named one of the best in the country This destination simply cannot be overlooked if you're seeking a getaway in the UK this summer. It's the ideal spot to unwind and soak up breathtaking views. This isle has earned recognition from Lonely Planet as amongst Scotland 's finest, and it's no wonder this legendary location has secured its place on the list. Lonely Planet describes the mainland Shetland isle as one that "oozes" heritage through its magnificent terrain. The guide states: "You'll sense it as you cruise past the historic harbor of Lerwick, or descend onto the ruler-sized runway at Sumburgh Airport, passing the low-lying hummocks of Jarlshof, where 4000 years of history spills onto the shoreline - in this one spot, you'll find Neolithic remains, Bronze Age homes, Iron Age wheelhouses, Viking longhouses, even the ruined mansion of a medieval earl." During your stay, a trip to Lerwick is absolutely essential. Visit Scotland notes: "Lerwick is the perfect starting point for exploring Shetland. Head north for a weekend break or holiday in Lerwick and explore this pretty harbour town." "Wander around the quirky lanes made famous by Jimmy Perez in the BBC Shetland TV series, step back in time at the Iron Age broch of Clickimin, spot seabirds and seals on a wildlife boat tour around Bressay or enjoy traditional Shetland music." For those curious about activities in the region, there's an enormous range of attractions and experiences on offer. You can discover the charming Lerwick Harbour, which ranks among the area's most sought-after attractions, reports the Express. According to Tourist Checklist, the harbour stands as one of the most stunning locations across the Shetland Islands. The guide notes: "The harbor bustles with activity, making it a great place to take a leisurely stroll. You can watch fishing boats come and go, offering a vibrant view of daily life in Lerwick." Local residents on Reddit share insights into island living, with one remarking: "On a day of good of weather there is no better place to be and there are loads of great beaches." The Shetland Museum and Archives represents another unmissable destination during your stay on the island. A Tripadvisor reviewer gushed: "One of the best museums I have visited! A really varied display taking you through Shetland's history from its geology to its archeology and into the modern day. Fabulously presented exhibits and well thought out. Really enjoyed!". Another visitor commented: "The museum was excellent at presenting the history of the area from a geological and cultural point of view. "There was so much information and so many historical artifacts. The staff was great and so friendly and welcoming. It was a great experience." For those seeking an escape from the chaos and crowds of mainstream tourist hotspots, this destination might just tick all the right boxes.


Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
The little known Scottish beach that was named country's 'most dog friendly'
One visitor wrote called it a "wonderful dog walking beach". All around Scotland's coastline, there are picturesque beaches ideal for a day out. Whether you live in the Scottish Borders or the Northern Highlands, you will never be too far from a stunning bay. With August well underway, the end of summer is sadly in sight—so there is no time like the present to head out for an afternoon by the seaside. If you have a dog, you have even more reason to enjoy a walk along one of Scotland's beaches. As we previously reported, the "most dog friendly" beaches in Europe were recently named. Coming in at number one for Scotland on the roundup was Sandhead Beach in Dumfries in Galloway. Sandhead Beach is found by the small village of Sandhead near the town of Stranraer. It stretches out for more than a mile, and offers seemingly unlimited swathes of sand to explore when the tide is out. The beach benefits from plenty of parking, ideal for those who are travelling by car. There are also picnic tables with views out over the bay—just make sure your four-legged friend doesn't steal your food while you are admiring the vistas. Meanwhile, according to VisitScotland, small boats can be launched at high tide from Sandhead Beach. Windsurfing and waterskiing are also popular activities in the nearby waters. As well as being named among the best beaches in Europe for a dog walk, Sandhead Beach has also received positive reviews from the public. It has an overall score of 4.8 out of five on Google based on 17 ratings. "Wonderful dog walking beach," one visitor shared, while a second agreed: "Long beach ideal for a beach walk". "Beautiful, large, clean beach, what is not to love," another beachgoer wrote. And a fourth simply stated: "Amazing beach". The village of Sandhead itself may be small, but it is home to a popular hotel and restaurant. The Tigh Na Mara Hotel serves up an extensive menu created using local ingredients, while visitors can enjoy its beer garden during the warmer months. Another popular accommodation option in the area is the Sands of Luce Holiday Park, which offers both modern static caravans to hire and fully serviced pitches. The award-winning family-run holiday park is also home to the Lighthouse Restaurant, which hosts regular evening live music and other events. Elsewhere, one of the top sights in the area is the Kirkmadrine Chapel that is home to the Kirkmadrine Stones. According to Historic Environment Scotland, these eight stones include three of the oldest Christian memorials in Scotland that date back to the sixth century. The remaining memorials at Kirkmadrine Chapel date back to between the 700s and 1100s, and highlight the growth of the Scottish church during the period. The Kirkmadrine Stones are evidence of an early Christian church at the site, and are hugely historically important. Additionally, a few miles from Sandhead is the Stoneykirk Aviation Museum. As the name suggests, the attraction is home to a small collection of aviation artefacts and offers a rare glimpse into the golden age of British aviation. More information about Sandhead Beach can be found on the VisitScotland website.