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Shetland Museum and Archives, Lerwick

Companionship careShetland Islands

Days out on the Shetland Islands for an older parent

Eight places on the Shetland Islands that make a good day out for an older parent, from Shetland Museum and Archives to Sumburgh Head. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Shetland Museum and Archives. Photo: Clemensfranz, CC BY-SA 3.0

Eight days out across five towns

The best places to take an older parent on the Shetland Islands

Seven of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for one describes a step-free route, and two confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Shetland Museum and Archives, Lerwick

Photo: Clemensfranz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Lerwick

Shetland Museum and Archives

Shetland Museum and Archives sits on Hay's Dock in Lerwick and tells the islands' story from geology and Norse settlement to fishing, knitting and Up Helly Aa, with historic boats hanging in the boat hall. Entry is free and there is a self-service café.

Visit Shetland lists the museum as wheelchair accessible, entry is free, and the café space makes it easy to break up the visit.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Mareel, Lerwick

Photo: Tine, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Lerwick

Mareel

Mareel is Shetland's arts centre on the Lerwick waterfront, with cinema screens, a music auditorium and a café bar. From the café you can watch seabirds and seals in the harbour.

There are two wheelchairs available for use and toilets including an accessible toilet, and a daytime film with coffee overlooking the water makes an easy outing.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Café

Their website

Bonhoga Gallery, Weisdale

Photo: Rude Health, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Weisdale

Bonhoga Gallery

Bonhoga is a gallery, craft shop and café in a converted mill beside the Weisdale burn, showing art and craft with strong Shetland connections. The café conservatory is a sheltered spot for coffee and homemade scones.

There are toilets including an accessible toilet, and the café conservatory is a comfortable place to sit whatever the weather.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their website

Fort Charlotte, Lerwick

Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Lerwick

Fort Charlotte

Fort Charlotte is a five-sided artillery fort built in the 17th century to guard Lerwick harbour, with walls and gun emplacements looking over Bressay Sound. It is in the middle of the town and free to visit.

There is no parking at the fort, but a public car park and on-street parking are nearby, and the carer can combine it with a slow walk along Commercial Street.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Clickimin Broch, Lerwick

Photo: Julian Paren, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Lerwick

Clickimin Broch

Clickimin Broch is an Iron Age stone tower and settlement on the edge of Clickimin Loch in Lerwick, reached by a short causeway. It is free to visit and one of the most complete prehistoric sites near the town.

The broch is on the edge of Lerwick close to the leisure centre, so the carer can view it from the loch side without a long walk.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

St Ninian's Isle, Bigton

Photo: Gettons, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · Bigton

St Ninian's Isle

St Ninian's Isle is joined to the Mainland by a sand tombolo, the largest active one in Britain, with beaches on either side. A Pictish silver hoard was found at the chapel site on the island.

The car park is right beside the tombolo, so an older person can enjoy the view of the white sand and both beaches from the start without crossing to the island.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Eshaness Cliffs and Lighthouse, Eshaness

Photo: Chris Combe from York, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · Eshaness

Eshaness Cliffs and Lighthouse

Eshaness in Northmavine has dramatic volcanic sea cliffs, with a lighthouse on the cliff edge and views of sea stacks and the Atlantic. In summer the cliffs are covered in sea pinks and nesting fulmars.

The car park is at the lighthouse on the cliff top, so the main view can be enjoyed with almost no walking, keeping well back from the edge.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Sumburgh Head, Sumburgh

Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Sumburgh

Sumburgh Head

Sumburgh Head is the southern tip of Shetland, with a lighthouse on the cliffs and an RSPB reserve where puffins nest in early summer. The lighthouse buildings hold a visitor centre that opens from April to September.

Visit Shetland notes accessible parking at the lighthouse, and parking is available all year, so the views and seabirds can be enjoyed close to the car even when the centre is closed.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Headland free, visitor centre paid and seasonal

What their access information confirms

  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Regular groups and events on the Shetland Islands

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing on the Shetland Islands.

  • Music · LerwickShetland Folk FestivalAn annual spring festival of folk and traditional music, with concerts in Lerwick and in halls around the islands and a festival club at Islesburgh Community Centre. A carer can book tickets early, arrange transport and choose an afternoon or early concert rather than a late night.Details
  • Music · LerwickShetland Fiddlers' SocietyA Lerwick based society of fiddlers formed in 1960 that plays regularly for folk dance and appears at island festivals. A carer can get someone there with their fiddle, or simply along to listen if playing has become harder.Details
  • FishingShetland Anglers AssociationThe association manages trout fishing across more than 300 lochs, runs competitions and sells one season permit covering them all, with boats for hire on several lochs. A carer can sort the permit, carry the gear and drive to a loch with roadside parking.Details
  • PhotographyShetland Camera ClubA club bringing together photographers of all levels across the isles, sharing skills and entering local and national competitions. A carer can help with lifts to meetings and with printing or uploading images for a competition entry.Details
  • Reading · LerwickShetland Noir crime fiction festivalA crime writing festival held at Mareel in Lerwick with author events, panels and workshops, returning in June 2026. A carer can book a single afternoon session rather than a full pass and handle the travel and seating.Details
  • Volunteering · LerwickVoluntary Action ShetlandThe islands' volunteer centre and third sector support body, matching people with local groups that need help. A carer can go through the options, make the first contact and come along to an initial session.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them on the Shetland Islands

At a glance

The eight places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Shetland Museum and ArchivesLerwickhalf a dayFreeYesAskYes
MareelLerwickan hour or twoCheck pricesAskYesYes
Bonhoga GalleryWeisdalean hour or twoFreeAskYesYes
Fort CharlotteLerwickan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Clickimin BrochLerwickan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
St Ninian's IsleBigtonan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Eshaness Cliffs and LighthouseEshanessan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Sumburgh HeadSumburghan hour or twoFree outside, paid insideAskAskAsk

Where the places are on the Shetland Islands

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

12345678
  1. 1Shetland Museum and Archives, Lerwick
  2. 2Mareel, Lerwick
  3. 3Bonhoga Gallery, Weisdale
  4. 4Fort Charlotte, Lerwick
  5. 5Clickimin Broch, Lerwick
  6. 6St Ninian's Isle, Bigton
  7. 7Eshaness Cliffs and Lighthouse, Eshaness
  8. 8Sumburgh Head, Sumburgh

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs on the Shetland Islands

Carers on the Shetland Islands charge £18 to £25 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care on the Shetland Islands has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out on the Shetland Islands

Shetland Museum and Archives in Lerwick, Mareel in Lerwick, Bonhoga Gallery in Weisdale, Fort Charlotte in Lerwick, Clickimin Broch in Lerwick, St Ninian's Isle in Bigton, Eshaness Cliffs and Lighthouse in Eshaness and Sumburgh Head in Sumburgh. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Shetland Museum and Archives describes a step-free route. Mareel and Bonhoga Gallery have an accessible toilet. Mareel lends wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Shetland Museum and Archives, Bonhoga Gallery, Fort Charlotte, Clickimin Broch, St Ninian's Isle, Eshaness Cliffs and Lighthouse and Sumburgh Head (outside free, inside paid). Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care on the Shetland Islands shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Companionship care in the counties around the Shetland Islands

Days out in the areas around the Shetland Islands

Companionship care by town on the Shetland Islands

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out on the Shetland Islands

See carers near the Shetland Islands who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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