You are here: Home
Self Catering Accommodation in Shetland
If you’re looking for the ideal Shetland base, the search is over. Hillside Brae offers outstanding accommodation in either the Blue Lodge, built in 2009, or the Purple Lodge, brand new in 2011. Both are really comfortable, beautifully finished and very well furnished, with a four-star rating from VisitScotland.
Aerial view of the two lodges
In each lodge, there are two good-sized bedrooms and the open plan living area has all the space you'll need to cook, dine and relax in style. Fittings and equipment are of excellent quality and features such as free wifi meet the needs of today's holiday or business traveller. If you want to be entertained, you can settle down to watch television or a favourite film. Alternatively,you might simply want to take in the great sea view; all kinds of vessels can be seen, usually heading to or from Lerwick, and whales and porpoises occasionally appear. On the Nature Shetland website you can see photographs of a pod of five orcas (killer whales) that made a spectacular sight on 15 August 2007; just scroll down to that date.
The lodges are situated in Gulberwick, a rural area that, thanks to its convenient location, has seen new private housing development over recent years. The surroundings are peaceful and much of the land is still devoted to grazing sheep and Shetland ponies.
If you arrive in Shetland by air, you can be at Hillside Brae, by car or bus, in little more than half an hour. If you travel by sea to Lerwick, the islands’ capital, the house is less than ten minutes’ drive from the quayside. If your mobility is limited, we recommend that you reserve the Blue Lodge, which has easy access from the adjacent parking area. The Purple Lodge is reached by a short flight of steps.
From Gulberwick, it’s easy to reach the rest of Shetland by car, bike or bus on Shetland’s excellent road network. However, there are pleasant walks to be had close at hand, for example to the beach or out to the promontory of Trebister Ness.
Above all, Hillside Brae is a place to which you can return after a long day and know that you can relax in peace. It really is a home from home.
What Our Guests Say
Here are some of our guests’ entries in the Visitor’s Book:
“Many thanks for such a wonderfully comfortable self catering lodge, which enhanced our Shetland experience enormously. The warm hall and hot bath were a real treat after our day’s excursions. Will recommend and hope to return. Many thanks once again.” (Brian & Jane (Essex) – May 2010)
“Our fourth visit to Shetland has been made even more wonderful by this wonderful lodge & seeing an otter at last.” (Gordon & Jill (Hampshire) – May 2010)
“What a wonderful place to stay! A great base for our trips and so well thought out. We had everything we needed. Such a peaceful and beautiful location. Thank you.” (Andrew, Emma, Iona & Rose (Essex) – May/June 2010)
“We had a great time in this wonderful and very comfortable cottage. Good weather, lovely people but a strange language! Thank you very much for your hospitality, Catherine & Mark.” (Karin & Thomas (Switzerland) – June 2010)
“Easy access to the website, plenty of info and convincing photos of the house brought us to the marvellous Wisemans, Catherine & Mark, in Gulberwick. They are “perfectionists”! We have never had a house so complete, so clean, so tidy. Thanks for your hospitality! (Roland & Hannelore (Austria) – June 2010)
“Many congratulations on providing a superb, well appointed base for our visit to Shetland – we wanted for nothing and the sun even shone most of the time! We will have no hesitation in recommending you to our friends!” (Peter, Richard & Robin (Cumbria) – June/July 2010)
“The best self-catering we have ever stayed in – we have had a wonderful & memorable stay. Thank you.” (Jones Family – January 2010 - Up-Helly-Aa visit)
“The nicest, cleanest & best quality self-catering we’ve ever stayed in. We’d love to come back. Thank you for everything.” (Tina, Alan & Tyler – March 2010)
‘You’ve helped make our holiday in Shetland even better by being able to come back at the end of a busy day to such luxury.’
‘It has been a pleasure to find such a lovely, comfortable haven. Your attention to quality and detail is a sign of the love and care you have put into making guests’ stays with you memorable. Will definitely be back, and recommend! Thanks for your warm Shetland hospitality’.
‘Wonderful short break - wish it could have been longer! Excellent accommodation - will recommend it. Hope to return sometime.’
‘Thank you again both for a very comfortable week. Everything here is so easy. Look forward to being back again next week.’
‘We had a wonderful time and will be back as soon as we can!’
The Visit Scotland Assessor's Report states:
‘An impressive new build bungalow. Excellent views from this raised position.
An excellent high quality product which achieves a well deserved 4 star award.’
