South Mainland is the long, fertile spine that runs from the outskirts of Lerwick all the way to Sumburgh Head. It is the most agricultural part of Shetland – a landscape of working farms, crofts and shell sand beaches – and it holds some of the most established communities on the islands.
Stretching from Gulberwick, just south of Lerwick, to Virkie and Sumburgh at Shetland's southern tip, South Mainland is a collection of villages connected by strong communities and excellent transport links.
Whether you're commuting to Lerwick, working locally or travelling regularly via Sumburgh Airport, South Mainland offers the best of both worlds: countryside living with easy access to employment, education and everyday services.
South of Lerwick, stretching from Gulberwick to Sumburgh.
Gulberwick, Quarff, Cunningsburgh, Sandwick, Hoswick, Bigton, Scousburgh, Levenwick, Dunrossness, Virkie and Sumburgh.
Just 10–35 minutes from Lerwick, with Sumburgh Airport providing regular flights to mainland Scotland and Orkney.
Sumburgh Head, St Ninian's Isle, sandy beaches, Mousa Broch and Jarlshof.
South Mainland is well served by local facilities. Primary schools are located in Cunningsburgh, Sandwick and Dunrossness, while Sandwick Junior High School provides education through to S4 before pupils continue their senior secondary education in Lerwick.
Residents have access to shops, cafes, community halls and South Mainland Pool in Sandwick. Levenwick has a local health centre. You can get fuel in Sumburgh and there are several EV charging points.
Many residents commute to Lerwick for work, with journey times ranging from around 10 minutes from Gulberwick to around 35 minutes from Sumburgh. Others work locally in sectors including aviation, farming, fishing, aquaculture, tourism, construction, education and public services.
The northern communities of the South Mainland – Gulberwick and Quarff – are ideal for those looking to combine rural living with an easy commute to Lerwick. This area offers countryside on the doorstep, but with Shetland's main town just a short drive away. Cunningsburgh is a little further south and has a primary school, community hall and cafe, while active clubs and events foster a strong sense of community.
It’s such a joy to live and work somewhere you feel supported. You walk to work, chat with neighbours, see the sea out the window, and still make world-class products. That’s not something you can replicate just anywhere.
Sandwick is the service hub of the South Mainland, with primary school, Sandwick Junior High School, the South Mainland Pool, a shop, a bakery and a busy community calendar. Nearby Hoswick has become a centre for creative enterprise, home to designers, makers and small businesses, alongside the Hoswick Visitor Centre and EV charging facilities. Together, they offer a lively community with excellent amenities, busy local businesses and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
Bigton and Scousburgh are communities built on local initiative. Alongside a strong farming tradition, residents have created valued community assets, including Hymhus and the popular weekend bakery, while businesses such as coffee roasters Stakkadale reflect continued investment in the area's future. With St Ninian's Isle on the doorstep, residents also have one of Shetland's most iconic beaches and coastal walks to enjoy throughout the year.
Centred around its sweeping bay, Levenwick offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with a close-knit community. The village has a health centre, an active community hall and easy access to the beach, making it a great place for walking, sea swimming and spending time outdoors. It's a peaceful setting with strong local connections and easy access to the rest of the South Mainland.
At the southern tip of the Mainland, these communities combine rural living with excellent connectivity. Sumburgh Airport is just minutes away, making the area a practical choice for regular travellers and airport and aviation workers, while farming remains an important part of local life. Active community groups and local facilities make this a welcoming part of Shetland to call home.
A sense of community is one of the South Mainland's defining strengths. Village halls host regular events, alongside youth groups, sports clubs, lunch clubs and volunteer organisations that help bring people together.
That spirit is reflected in South Mainland Up Helly Aa, which has grown from a community meeting in 2009 into one of Shetland's largest and best-loved fire festivals, and the annual Cunningsburgh Show, which celebrates agriculture, crafts, livestock and local produce.
Across the South Mainland, newcomers who get involved in local clubs, events or volunteering often find themselves becoming part of the community remarkably quickly.
The South Mainland stretches from around 10 minutes south of Lerwick to approximately 35 minutes by car at Sumburgh, making commuting straightforward from anywhere in the area. There are also regular buses between Sumburgh and Lerwick, which stop off at other South Mainland villages along the way.
Primary schools are located in Cunningsburgh, Sandwick and Dunrossness. Sandwick Junior High School provides education through S4, with senior secondary pupils attending school in Lerwick.
The South Mainland offers a range of amenities, including local shops, cafes, community halls, the South Mainland Pool, fuel, EV charging points and a diverse selection of clubs and community organisations.
Employment opportunities exist locally in aviation, farming, fishing, aquaculture, tourism, construction, education and public services. Many residents also commute to Lerwick for work.
Yes. Families are attracted by the area's schools, leisure facilities, active communities and easy access to Lerwick, as well as the space and freedom that village life offers. The South Mainland is also home to some of Shetland's best-known tourist attractions, including Jarlshof and Old Scatness, St Ninian's stunning tombolo beach and access to the island of Mousa.
