Bringing your dog to Shetland

Getting to Shetland with pets

The overnight ferry from Aberdeen is the most practical route, and NorthLink Ferries caters well for pet owners. You have three options: a dedicated pet-friendly cabin (the easiest — your dog stays in the room with you, with vinyl flooring and a water bowl, at a supplement of £15 per pet on top of the cabin cost), the on-board kennels (heated and ventilated, bookable in advance), or your own vehicle on the car deck.

Pet-friendly cabins book up fast, particularly in summer — booking as early as possible is strongly recommended. Only one pet can be booked online; additional animals can be paid for at the port. Dogs can be walked on the outer deck during the crossing, though they are not permitted in food service areas or internal public spaces unless they are assistance dogs.

Full details and booking at northlinkferries.co.uk.

If you're flying with Loganair, cats and dogs can travel as unaccompanied baggage in the hold. Assistance dogs are the exception and may travel in the cabin.

Walking with dogs in Shetland

Shetland's open landscape is the main draw, and Scotland's right to roam means access is broad. The islands have some of the most consistently uncrowded walking in Britain — cliff tops, beach links, lochan-dotted moorland and old drove roads, most of it with no one else in sight.

That said, livestock roam freely across large parts of Shetland. Sheep are everywhere, including on unfenced ground that looks like open hillside. Dogs must be kept on a lead wherever livestock are present — this is both a legal requirement and genuinely important in a farming community. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is the definitive guide.

There are also several dog-friendly beaches across the islands — useful to know if you want somewhere to let a dog off safely.

Accommodation

A number of self-catering properties across Shetland accept dogs, spread from Lerwick to the outer isles. Not all of them advertise it prominently, so it's always worth asking at the time of booking if you don't see it stated. Some properties have restrictions on pet size.

Stay.shetland is the best starting point, with a search that allows you to filter by pet-friendly properties.

Dog-friendly cafes and shops

Lerwick's Commercial Street is generally welcoming to well-behaved dogs — most independent shops are happy to let you bring one in, though it's always worth checking at the door.

For food and coffee, several places are known to welcome dogs inside: Blyde Welcome (56 Commercial Street), The Dowry, Island Larder and Pete's Cafe are all happy to have well-behaved dogs in. The Noost bar is also a good shout for an evening drink with your four-legged companion.

Vets

Shetland Vets has three surgeries:

• Lerwick: 01595 690999
• Scalloway: 01595 880000
• Bixter: 01595 810456

Out-of-hours emergencies: 01595 810456

A note on livestock

Worth repeating, because it matters here more than in most places. Shetland is a working farming community. Uncontrolled dogs around sheep cause real harm, and attacks on livestock are taken seriously. Keep your dog on a lead around animals at all times, even if your dog is well-trained and even if the sheep appear to be at a distance.