What are the best scenic drives in Shetland?

Shetland has fantastic roads. Most people are surprised by this when they come to the islands – they expect to find poorly maintained B-roads, similar to others found in other areas of the Highlands and Islands. Shetland was fortunate that when the oil industry arrived here in the 1970s, along with it came a programme for improving the isles’ infrastructure. That included a programme of road building. As a result, the main A970 that runs through Shetland’s spine from North Roe to Sumburgh is very well-maintained, and the Shetland Islands Council do an excellent job of maintaining the minor B roads too.

The roads are a massive pull for motorists, particularly bikers, who arrive here in their hundreds every year at midsummer to participate in the Simmer Dim Rally.

Shetland has some fantastic roads to tour by car, bike or motorbike and below are a few of the best scenic drives in Shetland.

No – not the French Alps. Shetland has its very own version of what the locals endearingly term ‘The Alps’. This is a stretch of road that runs between Voe and Aith (or vice versa) along the B9071. This is a beautiful drive along one of Shetland’s hilliest roads – if hilliest is even a word – and there are impressive views across the hilltops of the West Mainland and beyond. Along the road, detour in through the Grobsness road and check out the ruined house and haa at the end of the road, and have a pitstop at the Original Cake Fridge and Tearooms, a few miles outside Aith. This road always makes me think of trows – this feels like a particularly trowie area. Trows are small human-like creatures from Shetland’s folklore that live in underground houses in the hill.

A trip through the Alps has another great scenic drive on each end:

The Nesting Loop:

From Voe, take the B9071 towards Vidlin and, a few miles in, follow the B9075 towards Nesting (again, this can be done in reverse by joining the B9075 heading north from Lerwick towards Catfirth and Nesting). The Nesting Loop is a beautiful drive through Shetland’s east coast, a lesser-explored area that is no less beautiful. The road sweeps through an incredible variety of picturesque landscapes along the way.

Skeld and Culswick: Following the B9071 towards Skeld and on to Culswick is another beautiful drive that can be taken from the Aith side of the ‘Alps’. This road explores the West Mainland and weaves its way through Reawick, Skeld, Westerwick (make sure to drive right in this road and enjoy the cliff scenery and beach) and the deep valley of Culswick.

Sticking to the West Mainland, another incredible drive is out to Sandness, following the A971. This is a picturesque drive through a landscape strewn with lochs and expanses of uninterrupted wilderness. Eventually, the winding road and moorlands open up, giving way to the lushness of Sandness. If your legs need a stretch after the hour-long drive from Lerwick, take a stroll along the Norby beach that looks out to the island of Papa Stour.

North Mainland: Shetland’s North Mainland is beautiful to drive, particularly the northwest corner. Follow the A970 to Hillswick and then the B9078 to the imposing cliffs at Eshaness – the end of the road. From Eshaness, trace back to Urafirth and then veer off towards Heylor. From Heylor, trace Ronas Voe back towards the A970 and head north towards Collafirth. Before reaching Collafirth, take the unclassified road towards the mast at Collafirth Hill’s top and enjoy fantastic views across Shetland. (This is also a good starting point if you wish to tackle Ronas Hill, Shetland’s highest hill.) Please note that this is an unclassified road, so it is no longer maintained and may not be accessible without a 4x4. From Collafirth, you can drive to North Roe, Mainland Shetland’s most northerly point. On the way back, be sure to go through Ollaberry (B9079).

South Mainland: From Lerwick, take the A970 south towards Sumburgh. Along the way, detour through the Fladdabister and Aithsetter loop, taking in the east coast scenery and impressive meadows at Cunningsburgh. After rejoining the A970 south of Cunningsburgh, continue south towards Bigton. Veer off towards Bigton and pass the beaches of St Ninian’s Isle, Rerwick, Scousburgh and Spiggie following the B9122. Rejoin the A970 at Boddam and head towards Sumburgh Head Lighthouse, where you reach Mainland Shetland’s most southerly point with impressive coastal scenery and cliffs.

Finally, with a two-ferry hop, a trip to Unst is a must. Journeying through Mainland Shetland, Yell and Unst on the way, this drive offers up a vast amount of fantastic landscapes and an ever-changing canvas. In Unst be sure to drive to Skaw and Norwick, the UK’s most northerly roads.