Sumburgh Lighthouse

Shetland's Sumburgh Lighthouse offers gorgeous self-catering accommodation, breath-taking views, and even a slice of television fame - all combining for that truly memorable stay.

Sleeping five in total, the Lighthouse Keeper's cottage at Sumburgh Lighthouse is a gorgeous home-from-home, promising to make your visit to Shetland as special as can be.  Following extensive refurbishment, the cottage re-opened in 2014 to welcome guests to magnificent Sumburgh Head.  All original features have been restored or replaced, creating a traditional lighthouse keeper's cottage with a touch of modern luxury.

The cottage is one of a collection of buildings at Sumburgh Head that include a visitor centre, the smithy, engine rooms, radar huts, and - of course - the impressive Sumburgh Lighthouse itself.   Standing a colossal 91 metres above sea level, the lighthouse stands atop sheer cliffs at the southernmost point of mainland Shetland.  Visible from land and sea for miles around, it's easy to see why Sumburgh Lighthouse is the most well-known in the Shetland Isles. 

Sumburgh Head gained greater renown when it set the backdrop for Series 3 of BBC 1's Shetland, under the name of Sumburgh Lighthouse Hotel.  Today, visitors flock to the lighthouse, its buildings, and the superb Nature Reserve.  However, the luckiest visitors are surely those who stay in the Lighthouse Keeper's cottage.

The cottage is split into two levels, with the main door found intriguingly on the upper level.  The calming and cosy lounge area, furnished with a comfortable leather sofa and armchairs, is a perfect place to relax back and listen to music, watch TV, or soak up stunning views of the Sumburgh Head cliffs.

The beautifully restored kitchen oozes traditional charm.  Hand-built units, an electric Aga, and the large dining table all combine to create a cosy, welcoming space - perfect for enjoying the complementary local ales and oatcakes on arrival!  And with basic supplies of tea, coffee, milk, and sugar, there's always time for a cuppa or two.

The first of the light and airy bedrooms is found upstairs - a calming single room furnished with white, wooden furniture.  The remaining two bedrooms can be found downstairs, comprising a comfortable double bedroom and a charming bunk-bed room the kids will love.

The ground floor also houses a useful utility room with laundry and cleaning supplies, as well as the spacious family bathroom, complete with a bath and electric shower.  Throughout the cottage, everything is kept beautifully warm by underfloor heating, powered by an environmentally efficient, ground-source heat pump.

Fill your days with the gems of Shetland right on your doorstep.  The RSPB Nature Reserve at Sumburgh Head is home to tens of thousands of seabirds in the summer, from kittiwakes to guillemots.  It's also a perfect place to spot Shetland's famous puffins - or ‘tammie nories', as they're known locally!  Keep your eyes peeled for harbour porpoises and grey seals, and you may even be lucky enough to spot one of the minke whales or killer whales that regularly visit the shoreline.

History lovers are perfectly placed for Jarlshof and its Stone Age hut, Iron Age Broch, Viking village and medieval farmstead.  Take a trip to the Croft House Museum or relive some history with demonstrations at Old Scatness. 

From its history to its wildlife, the secrets of Shetland are truly special, and you'll revel in uncovering each and every one of them.  But none can be quite as special as Sumburgh Lighthouse, and its cottage you'll remember forever.

Things to note

No pets permitted (except guide dogs), highchair and cot provided for infants.