Campsites near Lerwick

Just west of Tingwall, over the hills, Whiteness is a long, narrow peninsula that is particularly scenic and filled with good trout fishing lochs. On the east side of Whiteness Voe is the Nesbister camping böd. These types of very basic accommodations are a uniquely Shetlandic experience. A böd was a building used to house fishermen and their gear during the fishing season. Today, they offer simple shelter, not unlike a bothy. You can also explore different options for camping near Lerwick on Hipcamp.

May through August is definitely the best time to visit the Shetland Islands. The days are long—the sun only briefly dips below the horizon at the height of summer, a phenomenon locals call the simmer dim—and the weather is likely to be at its best. Visiting in spring and summer also means that you can enjoy watching seabirds, including puffins, gannets and storm petrels, and take advantage of opportunities for kayaking and hiking. Winter, while not too cold, often brings storms, which frequently force ferries and flights to be canceled: flexible plans are a must if visiting in winter.

Ten miles southwest of Lerwick town center, the Bridge End Outdoor Centre is situated just off the bridge that connects the two small islands of West and East Burra, both of which have lovely beaches. The center has a handful of touring pitches, suitable for caravans and motorhomes, that operate on a first come first serve basis and cannot be booked, as well as a small grass area suitable for tents. There’s a marina at the center with visitor berth facilities as well as a slipway, which is the perfect place from where to set off in a kayak into sheltered waters. You can also explore different options for camping near Lerwick on Hipcamp.

The little village of Levenwick is 16 miles south of Lerwick and a good place to base yourself for visiting the large tombolo of St. Ninian’s Isle and the tiny island of Mousa, which is home to a towering Iron Age broch that, in summer, is filled with nesting storm petrels. The small, community-run Levenwick Caravan and Campsite overlooks the sandy beach at Levenwick Bay and has a handful of sites for motorhomes and tents.

Visitors arriving on the Shetland Islands by ferry from Aberdeen on the Scottish mainland disembark in Lerwick, the archipelago’s main (and only) town. It’s an enjoyable place to stay for a while, exploring the harbor, visiting the quaint shops selling local crafts, including the knitwear for which the islands are known, and dipping into cozy cafés and the excellent heritage museum. There’s a handy visitor center in the middle of town and this is also where you can rent a car or take one of the reliable (if infrequent) buses to other parts of the island or even as far as the northernmost island of Unst.