Van life guide: Scotland
Van Life in Shetland: Best Spots, Meetups & Where to Park
Connect with other van lifers, plan meetups and convoys, or meet someone special in Shetland. Shetland is a remote island group of dramatic cliffs, ponies, birdlife and Viking heritage in Scotland’s far north.
The van life scene in Shetland
Around a hundred islands are linked by ferries and causeways, with Mainland the largest. Cliffs, voes and white sandy beaches define the coastline, with bird colonies at Sumburgh Head and Hermaness.
If you are staying in Shetland, it is simple to meet people when you plan a campfire with people who get the lifestyle. The Northern Isles neighbour Orkney has its own guide.
Meeting people in Shetland
Start with a brew somewhere public and busy, tell a friend where you are going, and keep your exact pitch to yourself until you know someone. With VanDates you choose what you are open to, whether that is friendship, convoys or romance, and you only ever show an approximate area.
Shetland at a glance
- Where: Shetland, Scotland
- Best time to go: May to August for puffins and long light, with the summer evenings called the simmer dim
- Local flavour: Shetland lamb, fresh seafood, bannocks and local craft beer
- Approximate location only: never your exact pitch
Best spots in Shetland
Top stops in Shetland include Sumburgh Head, Jarlshof, Hermaness, Lerwick harbour, St Ninian’s Isle and the Muckle Flugga lighthouse.
Ideas to try: puffin watching at Sumburgh Head, a walk to St Ninian’s Isle, a ferry trip to Unst, a visit to Jarlshof.
Parking up and staying legal in Shetland
Reaching Shetland needs a ferry crossing from Aberdeen or Orkney, so book vehicle space well ahead. Roads are narrow with passing places.
In Scotland, access rights cover lightweight tent camping in small numbers for two or three nights, but they do not include motor vehicles, so staying overnight in a campervan or motorhome is different. Landowners and councils can restrict where you park, and some areas, such as parts of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, have camping byelaws. Use campsites, motorhome stopovers or pubs that welcome vans, and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code guide to camping. Always leave places as you found them, be considerate to residents, and see our Community Guidelines and Safety Tips.
Ready to meet van lifers in Shetland?
Join The Crew. Discover who is parked or travelling near you, join upcoming community meetups, or find someone special who truly gets life on the road. Membership is £1.99 a week and you can cancel any time.