Scalloway Castle
The town of Scalloway, located 8 miles west of Lerwick on the Atlantic coast, was the capital of Shetland until 1708. The ruins of Scalloway castle dominate the view of the town.
Built by Earl Patrick Stewart in 1600 as a means of strengthening his hold over Shetland, the castle was designed by Andrew Crawford, who previously had also built Muness Castle in Unst for the Earl’s power-rival Laurence Bruce.
Scalloway Castle remained an administrative base for Shetland after the demise of the Earl, and it was used as a barracks for the troops of Oliver Cromwell. Later, though, the castle began to exhibit signs of disrepair, and Lerwick’s ascendancy to the capital of Shetland confirmed its fall from favour.
The castle passed into the care of the State in 1908 and is now under the care of Historic Scotland.
Visitor Information
The key for Scalloway Castle is available from the Scalloway Hotel.
Scalloway Hotel
Main Street
Scalloway
ZE1 0TR
Telephone: +44 (0) 1595 880 444
Fax: +44 (0) 1595 880 445
Further Information
- www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail.htm?propertyID=PL_241
- www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/shetland/scallowaycastle/index.html
Where to Eat
Da Haaf Restaurant
North Atlantic Fisheries College
Port Arthur
Scalloway
ZE1 0UN
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