Introduction to Scalloway

Scalloway's Historical Importance
​Scalloway, once the capital of Shetland, has around 1,200 inhabitants.  Located in the centre of the Shetland Mainland, it has a beautiful natural harbour which is sheltered from Atlantic storms by many small islands.  It has good agricultural land as a result of its geology.  These attributes attracted its first settlers more than 6,000 years ago and have allowed the village to thrive over the centuries.  The castle which is over 400 years old was once the seat of power in Shetland but is now a popular ruin for visitors to explore.

Plane designed and built by Jim Smith (Jim a Berry)

Social Events
Social events are at the heart of village life in venues that include the Public Hall (a hub for music, drama and local organisations since 1903), the Royal British Legion and the Scalloway Boating Club.  In the harbour are two marinas for local and visiting pleasure craft.  Football has been popular in the village since the first recorded team played in 1899.  Foremost among annual events are the annual Fire Festival, held early each January, and the village Gala, held in the summer.​​

Education
The village’s education facilities are pre-school, primary school and the North Atlantic Fisheries College (NAFC), a centre for training, education, research and development in marine subjects and industries.

Display showing Scalloway's fishing and boat building heritage

Fishing
Sea fishing was traditionally the mainstay of the local economy and is still important with many fishing boats using the Scalloway fish market.  Today, salmon farming is becoming more dominant with more than 20 salmon farms in the region, but other aquaculture industries such as mussel farming are becoming increasingly important.  Scalloway is also a key port for ships accessing oil fields west of Shetland.

Restored wartime sub chaser HITRA entering Scalloway harbour. In the background is the Fisheries College

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15 fascinating facts about Scalloway

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