Discover Hillswick: Coastal Landscapes, Wildlife and History

Hillswick combines an impressive seascape with the history of the Shetland Islands and special encounters with local wildlife. Between rocky pinnacles, traces of ancient settlements and the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary, nature, archaeology and history take centre stage. When choosing holiday accommodation in Hillswick, you can consider whether you would like to focus your stay primarily on landscapes, marine mammals, archaeology or historic buildings.

Marine Mammals and the History of the Wildlife Sanctuary

The Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary rescues seals, otters and whales or dolphins in distress. Throughout its history, it has provided care and refuge for hundreds of seals, otters and other marine mammals. The sanctuary rehabilitates the animals and then releases them back into their natural habitat. This makes it one of Hillswick’s defining nature attractions, even if you do not need to plan your trip solely around wildlife viewing.

The origins of the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary date back to May 1987. At that time, Jan Bevington rescued a seal pup that had washed up on the beach in front of The Booth in Hillswick. This story gives the sanctuary a tangible local connection and helps explain why Hillswick is of interest to travellers who want to learn about the wildlife of the Shetland Islands. The Booth was already a historic site at that time: the former inn dates from 1698.

Rocky Pinnacles, Headland and Circular Walks

Among the distinctive landscape features are The Drongs, rocky pinnacles lying offshore from the Pund of Grevasand. These rock formations give the coast a unique appearance and are an intriguing point of interest for anyone who wants to discover the geological side of Hillswick during their stay.

Hillswick Ness is a headland with diverse geology and archaeology. There is a car park for the Hillswick circular walk on the stretch of coast opposite the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary. Along the Hillswick Ness circular walk, the outlines and foundations of a Neolithic house are still visible. The protective forewall in front of the entrance has also survived. For your day planning, this means that a walk can offer not only the chance to appreciate the landscape but also to discover traces of human settlement from very different periods. No information on the length or difficulty of the walks is available here, so base your choice on your own plans and the current conditions.

Historic Traces Around Hillswick

The history of the area can be seen at several distinct sites. At Tur Ness are the remains of a very old building that may date from the Norse or medieval period. This cautious classification by period remains important: it indicates a possible origin, not a definitively established date.

The area of Niddister contains the ruins of a once-thriving crofting settlement. The surviving traces include buildings, wells, a pond and stone walls. The site thus tells the story of an earlier form of settlement and economic activity, while the ruins themselves define the historic character of this part of the area. The Booth is also one of the oldest buildings in the Shetland Islands and was formerly a Hanseatic trading post. The historic inn dating from 1698 offers another perspective on Hillswick’s links with trade and coastal life.

There is also a man-made beach on the shore of Hillswick that was used for drying fish. This detail complements the archaeological and architectural evidence with an indication of the coast’s former use. Travellers with family members who have different interests can therefore include nature, local history and landscapes in their choices without making every day the same.

Choose Hillswick as Your Base

Hillswick has limited access by public transport. Take this factor into account when planning your journey before choosing holiday accommodation or a holiday home. The area is particularly suited to travel plans that deliberately take the local landscape and historical themes into consideration. If you would also like to research other destinations, you can include Lerwick and the Shetland Islands as well.

Hillswick is therefore more than just a place to spend the night: The rocky pinnacles of The Drongs, the wildlife sanctuary, Hillswick Ness and the traces of earlier settlements offer different points of interest for your trip. Choose your accommodation with the desired balance of nature, culture and your own travel plans in mind.

To the main travel overview: Shetland Islands.