Scalloway - with its impressive ruined castle - was the ancient capital of Shetland. This circular walk heads round the rough coastline to the west of the town to the bay of Bur Wick before returning via a hill track.
Roads and tracks for much of the route, but very rough pathless coastal section from Point of the Pund to Bur Wick.
Bus to Scalloway.
Burn Beach car park, Scalloway.
Park at the Burn Beach car park in the centre of Scalloway, the second largest settlement in Shetland and the ancient capital of the archipelago. (Photo of Scalloway taken from the viewpoint on the approach road.)
Note the impressive old house with the stone armorial device above the doorway, which overlooks the car park. Begin the walk by leaving the car park and turning left along New Road. This leads through the old part of the town, soon passing a memorial to the Shetland Bus - a vital operation run from Shetland to transport goods and prisoners of war from Norway during World War 2.
Continue past the marina and around the bay, with good views back to Scalloway, with its huge ruined castle prominent. The road soon leads past modern buildings - the Marine Centre of the University of the Highlands and Islands. Further on the road swings right uphill towards the houses of Port Arthur - from the bend take the second turning on the left, soon passing through a gate onto a private road to continue out along the coast. Across the sound the island of Trondra is seen - linked to Mainland by a bridge. The tarmac road ends at a waterworks; continue on a rough track beyond, above the Pund Voe.
A small modern lighthouse can be seen on the Point of the Pund - reached by a short detour. From here the view is across to West Burra, with Hamnavoe and the similar lighthouse on Fugla Ness visible to the southwest.
From this point the going becomes rough, with only faint sheep paths. Continue above low cliffs over heathery ground, rising a little and then descending to cross the pebbly bay of Shalder's Ayre. After passing a further bay there is a steeper section of coastline, with a rather airy sheep path traversing across it - this requires great care (or a detour uphill to avoid).
Once beyond this continue across tussocky ground towards the houses visible across Bur Wick. When a drystone wall reaches down to the sea, cross at a gap near the seaward end, then continue to reach a landrover track. Turn right on this track to make a zig-zag ascent up the flank of the Hill of Houlland. There are great views back over Bur Wick.
After crossing a cattlegrid at top, ignore a track heading off right along the ridge. Continue, now downhill, with views over Scalloway (and a large prominent quarry to its left). Eventually the track passes through a gate. Look out for a metal stile on the right, and cross this into the field to avoid the farm. Cross the field, aiming for the car club car park. From here head down Harley Street, keeping ahead at a junction and then turning left onto Ingaville Road. Finally turn right onto Berry Road to return through town, , keeping straight ahead at two junctions until you return to New Road along the sea front. Turn left to return to the car park.
Before leaving it is worth continuing along the road to visit the ruined castle. This was built by the 2nd Earl of Orkney, Partrick Stewart from 1600, when he became the effective ruler of Shetland. Stewart's main house was the Birsay Palace on Orkney, but Scalloway Castle was completed in 1607; after complaints about Patrick by the Shetland lairds he was executed in 1615 in Edinburgh. The castle today is ruined but still stands to four stories, and is open to the public.
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