We were really pleased to retain our 3 Star Visit Scotland Quality Grading in 2019. I have just been re-reading the report and thought I would share some of the assessor's comments. It is GREAT to receive such a positive review

“I must say that this is one very smart and well-provisioned property, with clear thought given to guest comfort. You continue to listen to feedback from your guests and make adjustments based upon their suggestions.
 •    I have made increases this year to all cleanliness scores. I had time to perform some thorough checks during my walk around, and I can only describe the entire property as spotless. Clear attention to detail in areas such as ovens, fridge seals, bathroom  surfaces, showerheads, light fittings and behind furniture. Overall, extremely impressive.
 •    The exterior remains in very good order, and this year there was a good array of outside planters arranged on the neat lock-block  driveway. The side garden part of the property is safely enclosed by a fence, allowing  for a more child friendly area.
 •    I have increased some of the welcome/arrival procedures to excellent. You greet all guests personally, and perform a full in-depth show-round. Instructions and visitor information is clearly highlighted, and you are happy to perform any further personalised recommendations during their stay. You try your best to be flexible around early arrivals/late departures due to ferry and airport timetables. Great welcome pack available, with clear personalised additions such as treats for special occasions.
 •    The score for Heating/Lighting in the public areas has been increased to excellent. Clear use of excellent side-lighting and varied circuits to allow for different  levels of mood lighting, plus I am sure the burner in the centre of the lounge creates a brilliant ambiance in the cooler months with darker evenings.“

Welcome to 2020 at The Sheiling. The start of a new year is a favourite time of year for planning holidays, so over the next few months we will post some  links to holidaying in Shetland which may help you.

But first a BBC Springwatch video on the Northern Lights in Shetland - simply stunning

Here are some of the messages left in our Visitors book ......

Such a lovely comfortable house - we've had a wonderful time and hope to come again.
R.F. -  Cheshire
Very kind owners gave us lifts and helped out when our car broke down. Comfotable and well equipped cottage. M.H. - Warwickshire
Thanks for a lovely stay on this beautiful island. All needs are catered for in your cottage and we really enjoyed it.
D.S. - Stirling
Warm, comfotable and well kitted out cottage. Everything needed, thanks.
M.L  - Edinburgh
Lovely stay - really comfortable and very friendly. Thank you. We don't want to leave!
F.M.H.D.L. - London
We stayed for 3 weeks and had a fabulous time, thank you for such a wonderful stay, its been perfect.
Loved the films and the games.
L.B. - Northumberland
Thank you for a lovely stay, we appreciate you having us for 3 weeks. Lovely people and a lovely cottage. We would highly recommend it to anyone travelling to Shetland.
J.T.A. - Glasgow
A very comfortable home from home for Shetland wool week. Even charged our car battery for us! Well equipped cottage - we have booked again for next year! 
R.J. - Norfolk

The year is flying by and we have had some glorious weather in Scalloway - wall to wall blue skies and sunshine which is probably why we haven't been posting on the website!

However we do have some availaibility in July and August so if you fancy a last minute break to a (currently) sunny Shetland  why not take advantage of our discount offer -

Stay 7 nights or more in July or August and get 10% discount
Direct Bookings only  at https://www.thesheilingshetland.co.uk/bookings.html

A Very Happy 2018 to all of our visitors. We hope you will visit us this year and look forward to welcoming you. We now have a "reviews" page so that you can see what our guests think of our cottage so far.   
Please click here to see what they think

Scalloway is located in the centre of Shetlands Main Island. It is ideally placed for visitors with easy access to the rest of Shetland and a offers a wide range of local services including excellent local shops and restaurants, a public swimming pool and a museum, and Scalloway Castle.

The Scalloway Meat Company has a small supermarket and is an award winning butcher, famous for its freshly produced ready meals and Shetland beef, lamb and home cured bacon. It also has an additional upstairs store, typically open until 5pm, which sells various items including clothing, toys and home goods. https://www.facebook.com/ScallowayMeatCoLtd/

The Checkout is a smaller newsagents and grocers. Both shops are licensed to sell alcohol between 10am and 10pm. https://www.facebook.com/Thecheckoutscalloway/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf.

The village also has a pharmacy and post office on Main Street, open until 5pm; and a fresh fish shop - Blydoit Fish which sells fresh seafood. It is across the road from the local veterinary practice.

The Scalloway Hotel has a two AA rosette restaurant. The hotel also provides bar meals, teas and coffees - http://scallowayhotel.com/food.htm

The Cornerstone Cafe Restaurant is open 7 days a week and offers breakfast and lunch and snacks during the day as well as evening meals at the weekend - http://www.thecornerstonebandb.com/restaurant-cafe.html

Da Haaf Restaurant (located in the NAFC Marine Centre) also opens daily during the week with evening meals at the weekend. It has beautiful views over Scalloway and Trondra - https://www.facebook.com/Da-Haaf-309983045816736/

The Kiln Bar & Cafe serves cooked breakfasts and typical bar meals such as fish and chips- https://www.facebook.com/dakilnbarscalloway/

We also have a popular Chinese takeaway - the Hai Yang Chinese Take Away, opposite Scalloway Castle.

The choice is yours

 The days continue to get longer - sunrise is now 3.30am and sunset is 10.30pm - and the garden is taking advantage of all that light to put on a growth spurt - even the rose bush has come alive again after a severe pruning

It’s blue skies and sunshine in Scalloway today, which is really appropriate, because not only have we welcomed our first visitors, but we have also received confirmation of our Visit Scotland Quality Assurance Grading – 3 Stars. So delighted to be judged as “Very Good”

We would like to thank everyone who has helped us on the way but especially
John Nicolson painter extraordinaire; James Cruickshank - fencing and new gate; Balazs Szabo - internal joinery ; Leslie Rendall - plumbing and heating; Mike Nicolson– electrics; Peter Tiler – tiles ; garden – Walk On It ; and photography –Steven Johnston. Thank you guys – couldn’t have done it without you.

We've had a busy 10 days.
 
We are now listed on the Visit Scotland website and are just waiting for our grading, hopefully we’ll know before we open on 1st May.

 Dave has been busy with his DIY skills putting up a washing line for our visitors, and trellis panels at either side of the cottage.

Meanwhile I have discovered the joy of gardening in pots. We decided that it would be a nice idea to grow a small herb garden for our visitors - so far we have parsley, sage rosemary and thyme, with more to come.

Further afield the Puffins have retuned and we have had a large pod of Orcas visiting over the last few days - just some of our annual wildlife highlights.

Last but not least the garden has had the first part of its makeover - see the slide show below for before and after photos of the progress to date.