Shetland Islands · Scotland · Town · Coast

Lerwick
with your dog.

Lerwick offers a harbour-town base for exploring Shetland with your dog, provided you leave space for weather and travel. The Grand gives you a limited choice of town-centre pet rooms; Fishers Croft is a self-catering alternative in Hamnavoe on Burra, not in Lerwick. Keep the town outings modest: a loch-side walk is a different proposition from an exposed cliff-top path at the Knab.

Policies researched 27 September 2026 · Check directly before booking

Lerwick waterfront and harbour beneath a cloud-filled sky
Photo: Mike Pennington · CC BY-SA 2.0

A BASE FOR YOUR BREAK

Dog-friendly places to stay in Lerwick

Dog access can depend on the room or accommodation you choose. Confirm the exact dog arrangements before you pay.

Choose the Grand for Commercial Street and the ability to return between short town outings. Fishers Croft provides your own kitchen in Hamnavoe, with a separate journey into Lerwick; it is useful when self-catering matters more than a central address.

149 Commercial Street · Lerwick

The Grand Hotel

A historic town-centre hotel with a small number of pet-friendly rooms. Contact the hotel before making a reservation.

The dog details

The operator confirms limited pet-friendly bedrooms by advance contact. Fees, limits, dining and alone-in-room rules are not specified: obtain the terms for your dog and room.

Book directly with the property
Confirm the exact dog-eligible room or pitch, total charge and meal arrangements before paying.

Official website & dog policy Official link · no affiliate tracking

Hamnavoe, Burra · outside Lerwick

Fishers Croft

A self-catering cottage in a separate coastal village, with a kitchen and living area. Plan the road journey to Lerwick and do not rely on an assumed hotel shuttle.

The dog details

The owner expressly welcomes pets in this cottage. Confirm dog numbers, charges, furniture and unattended-dog rules, and the length of stay before booking.

Book directly with the property
Confirm the exact dog-eligible room or pitch, total charge and meal arrangements before paying.

Official website & dog policy Official link · no affiliate tracking

GOOD DAYS OUT, TOGETHER

Things to do around Lerwick

Clickimin Loch and town paths

Use the official Lerwick visitor leaflet to choose a manageable loch-side section. Keep the outing flexible rather than assuming every mapped path is equally surfaced or sheltered.

Follow access signs and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code; keep dogs controlled around birds and other path users.

Official visitor information ↗

The Knab headland

A cliff-top option for settled conditions and dogs comfortable with an exposed route. Turn back if wind or footing makes the walk unsuitable.

Keep your dog on a short lead beside unprotected edges and avoid disturbing wildlife. This is editorial safety advice alongside local access signs.

Official visitor information ↗

AN UNHURRIED COUPLE OF DAYS

A short break that leaves room to pause

Day one · harbour orientation

After the journey, keep the first outing to public town streets and the harbour frontage. Confirm dinner plans and give your dog a quiet settling-in period rather than starting with the headland.

Day two · choose for the weather

Use Clickimin for a manageable walk, or the Knab only in suitable conditions. From Hamnavoe, allow travel time and keep enough margin for ferry or onward plans.

A suggested plan, not a booked itinerary. Adapt it to your dog, the weather and current access.

THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Good to know before you go

Island travel

Confirm the carrier’s pet accommodation and boarding requirements separately; a dog-friendly hotel does not secure ferry space.

Two settlements

Fishers Croft is in Hamnavoe on Burra, not within walking distance of central Lerwick.

Weather margin

Keep departure days flexible and avoid a long walk before a timed sailing.

Your Lerwick questions

Is Fishers Croft in Lerwick?

No. Fishers Croft is in Hamnavoe on Burra, so it is a separate self-catering base and needs its own journey into Lerwick.

Are the Knab paths suitable in all weather?

No. The Knab route follows exposed cliff paths. Treat it as an optional walk for conditions and footing that suit your dog, and turn back if they do not.

Can I request a dog-friendly room at The Grand?

Yes, but the hotel says only a small number of rooms are pet-friendly. Contact it before booking and ask whether one is available for your dates; the public page does not state a fee or dog limit.

What pet arrangements are available on the Aberdeen-Lerwick ferry?

NorthLink lists pet-friendly cabins, kennels or leaving a pet in a suitably ventilated vehicle on its Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick ships. Book cabins or kennels ahead; car-deck access can be restricted during the crossing.

How much is the pet supplement in a NorthLink cabin?

The operator lists a £15 supplement for each pet staying in a pet-friendly cabin, in addition to the cabin charge. Only one animal can be booked online; pay for additional animals at the port.

Can my dog stay with me in all NorthLink indoor areas?

No. Only assistance dogs may use internal public areas. Pet owners can book a pet-friendly cabin or kennel; on the Aberdeen-Lerwick ships there is no dog lounge, and pets are excluded from food-service areas.

About this guide

Researched from accommodation operators, property listings and visitor information linked above on 27 September 2026. Prices and policies can change; a stated dog fee is not a room quote or a promise of availability. We have not personally inspected these places. Our day plans are editorial suggestions.

Read our research approach →