📌 Scalloway, Shetland Mainland
★★★
🛠️ Site closed for conservation work (checked August 2024)
The foreboding, usually locked ruin of Scalloway Castle forms one half of Scalloway‘s twin main attractions – the other being Scalloway Museum, where you can pick up the key. This castellated tower house dates to around 1600, built by the much-feared Earl of Orkney and Shetland as a residence and courthouse, probably using forced labour. The low-lying nature of most other buildings around Shetland makes the structure seem especially substantial; Historic Environment Scotland assert that there’s only one other castle on these (Shetland) isles. A biblical inscription above the door used to read (in Latin), that house whose foundation is rock will stand, but will perish if it be shifting sand. By the late 17th century the castle was ruinous, but despite ongoing masonry work at the time of update in 2024 its foundations still seem firm.
🌍 Location
📌 Castle Street, 5-min walk southeast of Scalloway town centre, Shetland Mainland
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: HU 404392
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 60.135630,-1.273920
🚢 Ferry to Scalloway | 🚌 Bus to Scalloway
🚗 Museum car park (adjacent)
📝 Key info
⌚ Access by key from Scalloway Museum (next door)
🎫 Free
