How to enjoy a traditional crofting experience in Shetland

Shetland is a place where things are always happening. Boats come and go, weather shifts quickly, and across the islands, crofters are out working the land much as they have for generations. Behind the drystane dykes (stone walls) and across the open moorland, there’s a constant thrum of activity – livestock to tend, fields to manage and traditions carried forward through everyday work.

Crofting in Shetland is a small-scale and practical practice, often run by families where livestock rearing is combined with other work. It reflects a way of life shaped by making the most of what’s available.

If you've ever wondered what life on a traditional Shetland croft is like, you're in luck. This year, more crofters than ever are opening up their doors to visitors.

At Withyburn Croft Tours in Bigton, visitors are taken around the croft to meet a mix of animals, from sheep and ponies to pygmy goats and native cattle, before gathering in a traditional outbuilding for tea and homebakes. Withyburn also runs croft to kitchen experiences where you can enjoy a three-course meal cooked by the Shetland Chef, Akshay Borges. Experiences run through the summer months, with booking required.

Elsewhere, crofters share their knowledge in different ways. At Paparwark and West Lynne Tours, in Bigton, brothers and sixth-generation crofters, Cecil and James Tait, offer insight into crofting alongside traditional skills, shaped by both the landscape and long-standing practices. In Bressay, Chris Dyer welcomes visitors to Garths Croft, where he shows them how he lives sustainably from the croft, rearing native breeds and growing fruit and vegetables in his polycrub and orchard. Chris is also an archaeologist and historian, so bespoke tours can combine crofting with a wider history of the island.

At The Silly Sheep Fibre Company, visitors can meet Shetland sheep and learn more about wool production, from fleece to finished product, offering a closer look at how crofting connects to craft and making. The Shetland Rural Experience Centre combines time with sheepdogs, ponies and sheep with tours to Girlsta or Fethaland, sharing the skills, stories and traditions that shape crofting life, past and present.

In Burra, The Outpost is an informal stop where visitors can encounter a mix of animals, including pigs, goats and even wallabies, alongside a strong sense of personal hospitality. It’s not a formal tour, but a reminder that Shetland’s rural experiences can take many forms, shaped by the people behind them.

At Sunshine Shetland Oo Croft, in Wester Quarff, guided visits from summer 2026 will include time with Shetland kye (cows), ponies, sheep and hens. There's also a restored croft house and an indoor space where visitors can see feltwork made using fleece from the croft and hear stories shaped by Shetland weather, work and generations of crofters.

If you want to get up close with Shetland’s beloved ponies, Carol’s Ponies in Asta gives you the chance to spend time with these well-known animals, with a closer look at how they’re bred, handled and cared for in a crofting setting.

A warm Shetland welcome is often part of the experience, sometimes with a cup of tea and a homebake in a croft house or outbuilding. It’s a chance to sit down, ask questions and take things in – no two visits are quite the same.

Croft experiences can be found across the islands, from the South Mainland to Bressay and beyond. They’re often small-scale, so booking ahead is recommended, and allowing time for conversation makes all the difference.

If you’re heading to Shetland this summer, it’s well worth making time for a croft visit. It’s a chance to see a side of the islands you don’t get from the roadside.