West Mainland
West Mainland is a largely unspoilt corner of Shetland, offering lovely beaches, wildlife watching, fascinating historical and archaeological sites, and tremendous scenery.
West Mainland boasts some seriously good scenery. See Shetland at its best on a coastal walk from Walls to Sandness, taking in the grand panorama of Foula and the raging Atlantic from Watsness, the superb cliffs and sea stacks of Deepdale, over Sandness Hill and down past the ancient water mills at Huxter to the sandy beach at Melby. Some of the best beaches among dozens in the West Mainland are Sand, Reawick, Westerwick and Culswick. The coastline is indented with long sea lochs, or 'voes', reaching far into a landscape of heathery hills and green crofts.
Archaeological attractions in the area: numerous chambered cairns; Iron Age field systems at the Scord of Brouster; and the Staneydale 'temple' and settlement sites; and dozens of brochs, including the Broch of Culswick. West Mainland also offers excellent angling and bird-watching opportunities, while you can marvel at the native otters and seals.
