Shetland's Past

People have lived in Shetland for over 5000 years, the earliest settlers arriving during Neolithic times and built oval shaped, stone walled houses. The remains of these, and many tools and utensils, can still be seen. Remnants from the bronze Age, and especially the Iron Age are much in evidence. Circular brochs, the forerunners to castles, were built, and today the well preserved Mousa Broch is regularly visited by holidaymakers. The superlative archaeological site at Jarlshof, where you can still explore, spans 3000 years from Neolithic to Viking times. In the 6^th century AD the picts left behind a legacy of a hoard of silver jewellery and artefacts, and from then until 800 AD when the Vikings arrived, Shetland enjoyed a monastic peaceful existence.

The Vikings
Without doubt the greatest abiding influence on Shetland has been the Vikings, who arrived not to rape and pillage, but to farm, settle peacefully and raise families. The evidence of their two hundred years at Jarlshof, where they built an entire village onto the existing remains, gives a glimpse into their past.

Today the Vikings continue to influence the culture of Shetland, with place names and the dialect more Scandinavian then English. Indeed Shetland only became part of Scotland in 1469 when King Christian of Denmark pledged the islands as a dowry for his daughter on her marriage to King James III of Scotland.

As a tribute to Viking heritage, a traditional fire festival is celebrated every January. The dazzling Up-Helly-Aa ceremony sees a procession of a thousand flaming tourches, carried through the streets of Lerwick by ‘guizers’ and led by the Jarl Squad in full Viking costume, before spectacularly setting alight specially built full-size replica longship. Thereafter the night is filled with much revelry and partying in halls where invites are like gold dust.

Visitors can view the Up-Helly-Aa regalia at an exhibition in Lerwick, which also boasts a beautiful full-size wooden Viking longship and other props and costumes.

Another replica Viking longship in ‘working’ order is the Dim Riv which provides boat trips around Lerwick harbour on long balmy summer evenings – a firm favourite with visitors.