History

Scalloway has a particularly rich and colourful history, with evidence of occupation as early as  the Bronze Age, if not earlier.

At Upper Scalloway a Bronze Age broch was found, alongside a Mediaeval burial ground when new housing developments started in the area in 1989. Click here for more on early settlement

The Vikings used Scalloway as a harbour during their migrations to Shetland from the 9th century onward and were though to have come by ship to Scalloway on route to their parliament, or Ting, at Tingwall, up the valley from Scalloway. Click here for more on the Vikings

As the ancient capital of Shetland, the Sheriff Court for all the islands was located in Scalloway castle, with such macabre claims to fame as the witch trials of the 17th century. Click here for more on Scalloway Castle

Scalloway again took prominence when the fishing industry grew in the 19th century, with several successful merchants building grandiose homes in the area.

During the World War II, Scalloway had national and international significance as the base of the Shetland Bus resistance operations between Shetland and Norway.
Click here for more on the Shetland Bus

During the 1950s, Scalloway increasingly became a thriving centre of commerce with many retailers and other service providers operating on and around the Main Street.

The fishing industry again grew in success into the 1970s and now the large modern port provides safe harbour for the local fishing fleet and a range of oil-related vessels operating in the newest oilfields to the west of Shetland.