Can you camp in Shetland?

Can you camp in Shetland? What are the best spots?

Camping is an excellent way to get closer to nature and really enjoy the islands at a pace that suits you, allowing you to get off the beaten track for longer and rely less on a strict itinerary.

Camping in a tent is permitted in Shetland, and there are several registered campsites available to use. You also have the option to wild camp in the countryside; however, you should read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before camping.

The Outdoor Access Code has excellent advice and guidance on how to camp responsibly, and if you’re unsure who the landowner is, knock on the nearest door and ask. This right to camp doesn’t mean that you can pitch your tent anywhere, and the Code states that you can camp wherever access rights apply, but to avoid causing problems for local people and land managers, you cannot camp in enclosed fields of crops or farm animals, and you should keep well away from buildings, roads or historic structures.

When wild camping, it’s essential that you leave no trace, remove your litter, bury human waste and light fires responsibly. The best way to ensure that you leave no trace of your stay is to use a camping stove rather than a fire.

If you prefer not to wild camp, several excellent campsites charge a minimal fee for using their services that often include access to a kitchen and a hot shower.

These sites are all available for use with a caravan or motorhome too. Most sites are open all year round, but it is best to book, particularly in the busy summer months.

There are registered campsites at:

Burravoe Pier Trust Caravan and Campsite (8 touring pitches and 4 tent pitches)

Bridge-End Outdoor Centre & Caravan Park (4 touring pitches and 10 tent pitches)

Delting Boating Club Caravan Park (13 touring pitches and 6 tent pitches)

Some of the nicest places to wild camp in Shetland are beside some of the beautiful beaches. Perfect camp spots can be found at Tresta Beach in Fetlar, Minn Beach in Burra, St Ninian’s Isle or Scousburgh Sands in the South Mainland or at the Dale of Walls beach. However, beaches such as Dale of Walls should be avoided between April and August during the bird breeding season. It’s worth checking whether or not there are breeding colonies of birds before you camp in an area.

Top tip: Midges in Shetland can be a problem, and these are often worse in heathery moorland or beside lochs. If you want to avoid being eaten alive, avoid sheltered lochside locations.