History of the Shetland Islands
The Shetland Islands, located northeast of mainland Scotland, have a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. From prehistoric times through to the modern era, Shetland has been inhabited by many different cultures, been host to various significant events, and played a crucial role in the development of Scotland and Britain as a whole.
It is thought that Neolithic people first came to Shetland around 5000-6000 years ago during the bronze age, evidenced by ancient remains of a settlement found at Jarlshof. These remains, as well as remains from the Iron Age, suggest that trade was a large part of these peoples’ lives, not only with the rest of Scotland but perhaps further into Europe too.
It is estimated that by 300AD, the Shetland Islands were inhabited by the Picts, a group of indigenous people who lived throughout northeastern Scotland. The Picts left behind many impressive stone structures and carvings which you can still see today, including Mousa Broch and of course the Broch at Jarlshof. These are two sites which are well worth a visit, and to read more about our recommendations of things to do in Shetland, click here.
The arrival of the Norse, or Vikings, in the 8th-9th century, signalled the end of the Picts’ inhabitance. These powerful and more advanced people swept through much of northern Europe including Britain, invading and pillaging as they went, and formed a strong settlement in Shetland. They brought with them their language, religion, and culture to Shetland, and there is still a lasting influence on the Islands from the time of the Vikings including many place names. Shetland ultimately formed part of the Kingdom of the Isles, where the Norse had further strongholds in the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and the Isle of Man.
In the 15th century, Shetland and Orkney became part of Scotland. Margaret, Princess of Norway was due to marry King James III of Scotland, but Margaret’s father, the King of Norway, could not afford a dowry. As a compromise, the Norwegian King mortgaged both sets of islands to King James, who coincidentally had been eyeing up the Islands for some time, until he was able to pay King James redemption money.
It later transpired that the King of Norway had no real desire to reclaim the islands, and was in fact quite pleased to be rid of them, and so in 1472, King James III of Scotland officially annexed Shetland and Orkney to become Scottish territory. However, despite claiming these new territories, King James III was an unpopular monarch and died in 1488 in the battle of Sauchieburn aged 37.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Shetland became a hub for the wool trade in particular. The wool from Shetland sheep is excellent for creating impressively warm garments and is surprisingly tough, and sheep farming was a big focus on the islands.
In the 19th century, Shetland became prominent in the fishing industry, due to the rich waters surrounding the islands. This brought substantial economic development to the islands, and to this day is a core contributor to life on Shetland, with the fishing industry being more fruitful than that of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined.
Moving into the 20th century, Shetland played a vital role in WW1 and WW2, acting as a base for the British Navy, and being of particular strategic importance due to its positioning in the North Sea. This meant that the Navy could repeatedly attack and deter German ships that were trying to approach mainland Britain from the north. In the 1970s, oil became the main source of economic growth on Shetland, as the islands benefitted massively from the North Sea oil boom.
Today, Shetland remains an important player in the fishing and oil industries, while visitors are attracted from around the world to witness the astonishing beauty and array of wildlife on the islands and learn more about their rich history.
How do you get to the Shetland Islands?
The most common ways to travel to the islands are either arriving by ferry or by getting flights to Shetland. At Airtask, we offer Shetland inter-island flights, operating passenger services between Lerwick, departing from Tingwall Airport, to both Foula and Fair Isle. For more information and flight scheduling, please click here.
Looking for something adventurous?
Whilst on your camping trip, why not view all of the magnificent sights of the Shetland Islands from above? Among the most awe-inspiring things to do in Shetland, is to take in the magnificent lochs, stunning beaches, historical sites and more from an aerial perspective. Call 01595 840246 or email lwk.ops@airtask.com to secure your place on the only scenic flights available in Shetland.