Northmavine is Shetland at its most open and expansive – a place of dramatic coastline, working crofts and close-knit communities. Linked to the rest of Mainland by the narrow strip of land at Mavis Grind, it feels distinct without being remote.

Around 740 people call Northmavine home, spread across the main settlements of Hillswick, Ollaberry, North Roe and Sullom. What that population has built for itself is quietly impressive.

For those considering a move to Shetland, Northmavine offers space, sea views and a slower pace of life, balanced with practical connections to Lerwick and beyond. It's an area where traditional industries like crofting and fishing sit alongside modern working patterns, making it well suited to families, remote workers and anyone looking for a welcoming rural community with room to breathe. Villages such as Hillswick, Ollaberry and North Roe offer a strong community spirit, with local amenities including a primary school, leisure facilities and active community groups.

There are three primary schools, a health centre with its own surgery, and five community halls, each run by a dedicated group of volunteers. Those halls host everything from fiddle sessions to takeaway nights to Sunday teas.

There are sports clubs, a lunch club, craft groups, youth activities, and a fiddle and accordion group keeping traditional music alive on a Friday evening. For a community of 740 people, the social calendar is surprisingly full and newcomers tend to find their feet faster than they expect.

What makes Northmavine particularly interesting is how the community has turned that spirit into something financially self-sustaining. When the private shop in Ollaberry closed with no replacement coming, residents invested to set it up as a community co-operative and it is still trading today. The Hillswick shop is run along similar lines.

These aren't just convenient amenities; they're community-owned assets that keep money circulating locally and give people a direct stake in the place they live. It's a model that takes real collective effort to build, and Northmavine has done it more than once.

[I wouldn't live anywhere else], I like it here, I like the safety here for the kids as well. You can give them a bit more independence here, so it's a lovely place for that.

Carly Sutherland

  • Is there a school in Northmavine?

    Northmavine has primary school provision serving children from early years through to P7, with smaller class sizes than you would typically find further south. After primary school, a majority of students in Northmavine will move to Brae High School, around a 10-minute drive away. Some may go into Lerwick to Anderson High School.

  • What leisure facilities are available? 

    The North Mainland Leisure Centre in Brae (ten minute drive away) has a swimming pool and fitness facilities. Beyond that, the area has some of Shetland's best coastline for sea kayaking and surfing, excellent freshwater and sea fishing, and miles of open hill and coastal walking. The five community halls across the area run regular events and clubs throughout the year.

  • Is there a shop or pub in Northmavine? 

    There are community-owned shops in both Hillswick and Ollaberry, with an Eshaness café open through the summer months. The St Magnus Bay Hotel in Hillswick serves food and drink year-round and is a focal point for the community. Brae is only around ten minutes away, giving easy access to the Co-op, the Mid Brae Inn and a range of other shops and businesses. For a wider choice still, Lerwick is a straightforward drive down the A970.

  • What kinds of work do people do in Northmavine? 

    Crofting and fishing remain part of the fabric here, but Northmavine also suits people who work remotely or are self-employed. Broadband connectivity has improved considerably and most properties can support home working. There are also employment opportunities in public services, the care sector, trades and land-based industries, as well as roles with the NCDC and its various projects. Some residents commute into Lerwick for work.

  • What is broadband like in Northmavine? 

    Broadband availability has improved significantly in recent years, with fibre connections now available across much of the area. As with any rural part of Shetland, speeds can vary by exact location, so it's worth checking with providers before you commit — particularly if you're planning to work from home full-time.

  • Can I buy or rent a house in Northmavine? 

    Properties come up for sale and rent on the open market, through local estate agents and online listings. Housing tends to be more affordable than in Lerwick, with a mix of croft houses, traditional stone properties and more modern builds. The NCDC owns rental property in Hillswick and acts as a letting agent for properties in North Roe, so it's worth getting in touch with them directly as well as checking the usual channels.

  • Is there healthcare nearby? 

    There is GP and community nursing provision serving Northmavine. For specialist services and hospital care, Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick is the main facility and is around forty-five minutes away by road. Routine appointments and repeat prescriptions can often be managed locally.

  • How do I get to and from Northmavine? 

    Northmavine is connected to the rest of Shetland Mainland by road, via Mavis Grind and the A970. The drive to Lerwick takes around forty-five minutes under normal conditions. There is a public bus service, though most residents rely on their own vehicle. The narrow isthmus at Mavis Grind — where the Atlantic and the North Sea are separated by just a few hundred metres of land — is the only road link, and crossing it still feels like arriving somewhere, however many times you make the journey.

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