RUTH’S PERSONAL TOUR

Favourite shop

PEERIE SHOP

Owner, Emma Gibson, works with designers to create unique products that reflect Shetland. peerieshop.co.uk

Favourite galleries

SHETLAND GALLERY

For the best of Shetland artists and artisans, venture north to the Shetland Gallery in Yell. shetlandgallery.com

VAILA FINE ART

This beautiful gallery sells contemporary local art. vailafineart.co.uk

Favourite café

PEERIE SHOP CAFÉ

This place makes the best soup in town. They do delicious Cullen Skink and Reestit

Mutton soup – local delicacies. peerieshop.co.uk

Favourite restaurant

THE DOWRY

A Scandinavian-inspired interior and a Nordic twist to the menu. The bar is great for a dram of Scottish single malt. thedowry.co.uk

Favourite market

ISLAND LARDER

The place to buy local produce, plus they have an excellent refill station for cereals, grains and spices. islandlarder.co.uk

Favourite hotel

BURRASTOW HOUSE

An 18th-century house set in a remote west Shetland location. burrastowhouse.co.uk

Favourite way to spend an hour

From Lerwick, walk by the Lodberries to go hunting for sea glass on Bain’s Beach, then walk around the Knab.

Place to see by night

Enjoy a cocktail and some nibbles with a view in the Mareel bar, before taking in a film or a concert. shetlandarts.org

Best view

Jump on the Bressay ferry and enjoy stunning views of Lerwick from the sea.

The one thing to see

Walk around the historic south end to the cultural quarter on Hay’s Dock, to Mareel and Shetland Museum & Archives.

2 Local bread and 1 tasty-looking cookies at The Island Larder. 2 Escape the crowds at remote Burrastow House. 3 Coffee comes served with a view of Hay’s Dock at the Mareel café. The Peerie Shop 4 collaborates with local artists to produce unique wares reflecting Shetland’s rich character. RUTH BROWNLEE is an artist who runs an Airbnb in Lerwick, the main town in the Shetland Islands. See her paintings at ruthbrownlee.co.uk and follow her Shetland life on Instagram: @Shetlandruthie.

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