Scalloway Castle

About

Scalloway Castle, rising above the harbour of Scalloway on Mainland Shetland, is one of the most impressive surviving tower houses in the islands. Built in 1600 for Patrick Stewart, Earl of Orkney, it was designed as a bold statement of power, with thick walls, crow‑stepped gables and a commanding position over the town. Stewart’s rule was notorious for its harshness, and the castle’s imposing architecture reflects the turbulent politics of the period. Inside, visitors can explore the great hall, once the centre of Stewart’s administrative and social life. Its large fireplace and high windows hint at the grandeur he intended, even though the castle was abandoned not long after his execution in 1615. Narrow spiral staircases lead to upper chambers, where you can see remnants of domestic spaces and defensive features such as gun loops. One of the most interesting facts is that Scalloway Castle was built using forced labour from local tenants, a detail that adds a darker layer to its history. Interpretive panels explain the Stewart family’s rise and fall, as well as the castle’s later use as a storehouse and ruin.

Shetland Scotland

Location

Scalloway Castle is a striking 17th-century tower house that stands proudly over the waterfront of Scalloway, the ancient capital of Shetland. Constructed in 1600 by the tyrannical Earl Patrick Stewart using forced island labor, this imposing roofless fortress features thick stone walls, towering corbelled turrets, and defensive gun loops. The castle is located at Castle Street, Scalloway, Shetland, ZE1 0TR, Scotland, United Kingdom. It sits right in the village center overlooking Scalloway Harbour. Because of its central location in Scalloway, visiting the castle places you just steps away from several key island attractions and historical sites. Right next door sits the Scalloway Museum, which features detailed exhibits on local social history and the heroic World War II clandestine naval operation known as the Shetland Bus. Heading east into Lerwick brings you to the impressive artillery fortification of Fort Charlotte, the Shetland Museum and Archives, the historic waterfront Lodberries, and the ancient stone stronghold at Clickimin Broch. Further south toward Sumburgh Head leads to the remarkable prehistoric archaeological sites of Jarlshof and Old Scatness.