Lerwick City Tour: Clickimin Broch, Fort Charlotte & Scalloway

Walk Lerwick's landmarks with a guide who knows the islands' history

A full-day private tour of Lerwick and the Shetland Islands with a professional local guide, starting and ending at the port. The itinerary covers Clickimin Broch, an ancient stone-built round house; Fort Charlotte, an artillery fort from the First Anglo-Dutch War; Hay's Dock with its restored traditional boats; the photographed house from the BBC drama Shetland on Commercial Street; and Scalloway, the former capital now a working fishing port. Walking is involved throughout, and the tour lasts approximately 6.5 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lerwick and Scalloway highlights

• Visit Clickimin Broch
• Tour Fort Charlotte
• Explore Hay's Dock and have coffee
• See the famous Shetland house on Commercial Street
• Visit Scalloway fishing port area

The experience

You arrive at Lerwick port and your guide meets you there, ready to start a route built around the islands' archaeology, military history and working landscape. The first stop is Clickimin Broch, a stone-built round house unique to Scotland, where your guide explains what you're standing in front of and why it matters. From there you drive back into Lerwick town itself to spend time at the main attractions: Fort Charlotte, built during the First Anglo-Dutch War to protect the village; Hay's Dock, a restored historic waterfront where traditional boats sit on the beach and in the water, with time to wander and grab a coffee; and Commercial Street, where the most photographed house in Shetland sits. The one used as Jimmy Perez's home in the BBC series Shetland. Here you can browse authentic knitwear and locally made crafts.

The route continues to Scalloway, a fishing port that was the capital of Shetland until 1708. On the drive there you'll see the famous Shetland ponies. Walking is part of the day at each stop, so wear shoes that grip and bring layers: the islands' weather changes fast. Your guide is a local who speaks English and knows the details behind each site, from the fort's construction to the stories tied to the places you visit. The tour is private, so the pace and time spent at each stop stay under your control.

Port pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange separate transport from the ship. The full day runs about 6.5 hours, which gives you time to see the main landmarks without rushing, and still have daylight to spare if you want to explore on your own afterward.

What’s included

• Professional local guide who speaks English.
• private tour with no other travelers.
• port pickup and drop-off at Lerwick.
• access to Clickimin Broch, Fort Charlotte, Hay's Dock, Commercial Street and Scalloway.
• free time to explore Hay's Dock and browse knitwear and local crafts on Commercial Street.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private city tour of Lerwick, full dayUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 08:30, 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00Van, pickup is included

Private Tour -Up to 3 per booking · Guide in English · 08:30, 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00Car, includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Top Private Tours UK

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving by ship and have a full day in port. The guide handles the route and the history, and the private format means you set the pace at each stop. Long walks and standing time are built into the day, so come ready to move between sites. If you prefer minimal walking, a different tour may suit you better.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Clickimin Broch and why is it the first stop?

Clickimin Broch is a sophisticated stone-built round house found only in Scotland, and it's the archaeological centerpiece of the tour. Your guide explains its history and significance before you move on to the other sites.

Will I have time to look around Hay's Dock and get a coffee?

Yes, Hay's Dock is built into the itinerary with free time to wander around the restored boats and the beach, and there's a café where you can sit and take in the atmosphere.

Is the house from the Shetland TV series actually on this tour?

Yes. The most photographed house in Shetland, which serves as Jimmy Perez's home in the BBC drama, sits on Commercial Street in Lerwick, and you'll visit it as part of the town center portion of the day.

How much walking is involved, and what should I wear?

Long walks are involved at each stop, so wear sturdy shoes with good grip. Bring layers because the Shetland weather changes quickly, and you'll be moving between indoor and outdoor sites throughout the 6.5 hours.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but you'll have free time at Hay's Dock where you can grab a coffee and a bite, and there are shops and cafés in Lerwick town center.