How to get toJarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlementcar-free
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Visit Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement car-free
Travel a greener way and enjoy 25% off at Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement.
Once you’re on Shetland, it’s easy to visit car-free.
Buses from Lerwick take about an hour, and stop outside.
Our recommended route gives more bus details and further advice for getting to Shetland by ferry.
Check out our recommended route (below) and then use our journey planner (above) for door-to-door train, bus and walking routes.
Discount: Enjoy 25% off entry when you arrive car-free: by train, bus or bike. Simply book online with code GOOD25 and show bus/train ticket or bike on arrival. This will entitle you to 25% off the standard adult, child or concession admission price. Historic Environment Scotland Members can also add the Good Traveller card to your history hunter game collection.
Find out about multi-trip bus passes and get the best deal on travel around Shetland.
Scotrail have various special offers, such as Rail and Sail tickets and kids’ tickets and activities.
For more money-saving tips see our handy guides to UK trains and buses.
View the Shetland Marine Mammal Protected Area from your ferry crossings. The bus from Lerwick takes you past Shetland’s characteristic coastal peat bogs and sheep crofts.
Cycle path National Route EV12 passes Jarlshof. Plan your cycle route here.
The Coastline of Shetland footpath passes Jarlshof. Find out more about the route.
There are numerous taxi companies in Shetland. See listings for taxis in the South Mainland area.
Get accessibility information for visiting Jarlshof. Read our guide to accessibility on public transport.
Discover more offers and days out in Shetland. See other Historic Environment Scotland sites you can visit car-free with Good Journey.
Header image © 2022 Ben Mullay Photography.
Getting to Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement car-free
Here's our recommended route to Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement. To get bus and train times and walking routes use our journey planner.
By bus from Lerwick
Bus 6 and bus 6E run from Lerwick to Grutness in Sumburgh.
Buses leave from the shelter at Viking bus station.
The journey takes about 60 minutes.
Hop off at Sumburgh Hotel Road End bus shelter.
It’s then about a 5-minute stroll. Follow the brown sign, which points your way to Jarlshof.
Via Aberdeen (Scottish mainland) or Kirkwall (Orkney)
MV Hrossey and MV Hjaltland NorthLink Ferries run overnight, leaving early evening. Check the departure times and this guide to the schedule. Times vary with the seasons and weather, so book ahead and check before you depart. Sometimes ferries cruise direct from Aberdeen to Lerwick (13 hours direct), and sometimes they stop off at Kirkwall (15 hours via Kirkwall). Lerwick is 8.5 hours from Kirkwall.
Timetable for route from Aberdeen and Kirkwall to Lerwick:
- Monday: Aberdeen to Lerwick direct.
- Tuesday: Winter – Aberdeen to Lerwick direct. Summer – Aberdeen via Kirkwall to Lerwick.
- Wednesday: Aberdeen to Lerwick direct.
- Thursday: Aberdeen via Kirkwall to Lerwick.
- Friday: Aberdeen to Lerwick direct.
- Saturday: Aberdeen via Kirkwall to Lerwick.
- Sunday: Aberdeen via Kirkwall to Lerwick.
Timetable for route to Aberdeen and Kirkwall from Lerwick:
- Monday: Winter – Lerwick to Aberdeen direct. Summer – Lerwick via Kirkwall to Aberdeen.
- Tuesday: Lerwick to Aberdeen direct.
- Wednesday: Lerwick via Kirkwall to Aberdeen.
- Thursday: Lerwick to Aberdeen direct.
- Friday: Lerwick via Kirkwall to Aberdeen.
- Saturday: Lerwick to Aberdeen direct.
- Sunday: Lerwick to Aberdeen direct.
Ferries leave Aberdeen from Aberdeen ferry terminal at Jamieson’s Quay, mainland Scotland.
You arrive at Holmsgarth ferry terminal in Lerwick.
It’s then about a 15-minute walk to Viking bus station.
Bus 6 runs a few times per day to Grutness – see bus directions above.
By bus from across the Shetland mainland
There are direct buses to Lerwick from:
- Brae (bus 21 or 23, 40-45 mins)
- Hillswick (bus 21, 60 mins)
- Laxo + Whalsay ferry terminal (bus 19, 40 mins)
- Scalloway (bus 4 or 5, 20 mins)
- Toft + Ulsta ferry terminal (bus 23 or bus 24, 60 mins)
- Vidlin + Out Skerries ferry terminal (bus 19, 50 mins)
- Walls + Foula ferry terminal (bus 9, 50 mins)
- West Burrafirth + Papa Stour ferry terminal (buses 9, 9F & 18, 45 mins)
Bus 6 runs a few times per day to Grutness – see above.
By ferry from Bressay
Ferries leave from Bressay ferry terminal, travelling to Lerwick Esplanade.
- Times: The journey takes about 7 minutes and ferries depart regularly each day. Check the timetable before you leave.
- Booking: This ferry cannot be booked.
- Enjoy the journey: The ferry terminal is close to the heritage centre (check seasonal opening times) and has a pre-fab waiting room with toilets.
Next, catch bus 6 from the Esplanade shelter – see the ‘by bus from Lerwick’ section above.
By ferry from Skerries
Ferries leave from Out Skerries ferry terminal, travelling to Lerwick Esplanade.
- Times: The journey takes about 2.5 hours and ferries depart on Tuesday morning. Check the council website’s ferry timetable or ferry times before you leave.
- Booking: phone 01595 745804 or email [email protected].
- Enjoy the journey: The ferry terminal is close to the heritage centre (check seasonal opening times) and has a pre-fab waiting room with toilets.
Next, catch bus 6 from the Esplanade shelter – see the ‘by bus from Lerwick’ section above.
By ferry from Fair Isle
Good Shepherd ferry leaves from The North Haven port located on Fair Isle.
- Times: The journey takes about 2.5 hours. Check the council website’s ferry timetable or ferry times..
- Days: In Summer months, the ferry runs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. However, in Winter it only runs on Tuesday mornings. Services are dependent on the strong tides and currents, plus changeable wind and fog. It is therefore advisible to phone and check the boat is running before you depart: 01595 743978.
- Book in advance: Phone: 01595 760363 or email [email protected]. The ferry has capacity for 12 passengers.
- Enjoy the journey: You could wait at the bird observatory near the port. The voyage takes you past Fair Isle Marine Protected Area.
Hop off at Grutness ferry terminal, which has a waiting room in a shipping container.
It’s then about a 15-minute walk. Take the one road and follow it all the way.
About Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement
Journey from prehistory into history at this Neolithic site, where people first settled around 2700 BC.
For any queries about visiting contact Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement on 01950 460112 or [email protected]
Address: Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement, Sumburgh, Shetland, ZE3 9JN. Visit Website