Description
Last entry 4pm. Wander around a site where people lived for more than 4,000 years. There are remains of Bronze Age oval houses, an Iron Age broch and wheelhouses, Viking longhouses, a medieval farmstead and a laird's house built around 1600. This enduring site is without parallel in Scotland and features in Sir Walter Scott's novel The Pirate.
Service options
On-site services
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Children
Good for kids
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Reviews
5
The best museum around if you're interested in the history of houses from 3,500BC to the 1600s. You can walk around the ruins ! Excellent audio guide, signage and a small museum. Best on a sunny day.
5
Excellent prehistoric settlement, mingled with the remains of an extensive Norse farmstead and subsequent medieval hall. Dramatic setting, and lots of opportunity to explore the location. The visitor center is small, but has an fine video and supporting information (plus gift shop). Definitely a stop for anyone interested in antiquities in the Shetlands.
5
This is a must-see. Park at the hotel and walk down to ruins. Only PS7.50 entry for adults. There are building dating back thousands of years. The audio guide takes you on a journey through the ages from neolithic to Viking to the last inhabitants some 200 yrs ago.
5
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement is located in Shetland. It is a legacy left over from ancient times. All the buildings are made of stone. It is very special.
4
This site is "Staggeringly Awesome" encompassing 5000 years & layers of history. The lairds house is even built on top of the first centuryAD Broch! To begin in Neolithic houses dating from about 2500BC through the ages to the Lairds house in 1600AD is awesome inspiring. It is the most thought evoking property in 100's I have ever visited in 53 years of travelling. I would say it is such a special place on Earth no one should miss seeing. Shetlands in their entirety are magnificent. A long way to travel, nearer to Norway than England but worth every minutes effort in getting there, GO!
5
The fact this has been here for more than 4000 years and is a relic of the Norse invasion, with multiple layers of history, is amazing in itself. Given the age and the location, its impressive its warn the ravages of time so well. In addition to being so well preserved, it's fascinating to see how people used to live thousands of years ago and how the site has been re-used throughout the ages. This would have been a real community in the beginning. It's a bit out of the way, but fine if you have your own car, though there are also busses and tours here. Best to get here early, when it opens to avoid the coach tours. The drive down from Lerwick is lovely too, with the chance to see some unique wildlife, especially if you carry on to Sumburgh Head. It takes about half hour to walk round it properly. There is a small visitor centre, but be warned there are no loos and they do not seem to like you using the ones in the hotel where you park. If you like history, there are few older manmade places in the world. Well worth a visit.