Our History

The Spiggie Hotel (name of old Norse river called Spikk(a) is situated in a unique location in the South Mainland, above and overlooking Spiggie Loch. It sits in unspoilt countryside in what is claimed to be "the Garden of Shetland" with its wide sweep of coast and hinterland from lofty Fitful Head in the south to St. Ninian's Isle and the coastline to the North. The towering peaks of the lonely, majestic Foula can be seen to the west. Scousburgh Sands with its gleaming white sand and rocky Spiggie beach both with crystal-clear seawater are ideal for fishing, picnics or just relaxing. Both within five minutes walk from the hotel.

The Spiggie Hotel has always been a hotel since it was built in the 1870’s. The Henderson family built two hotels (The Spiggie Hotel and Henderson’s Hotel) adjacent to each other and brother’s Robert and Thomas Henderson were their first proprietors. The second hotel built behind this one is a private dwelling today.

The building to the right hand side of the hotel today was Henderson’s shop and the family also lived there. In later years this building became accommodation for the numerous chamber maids that came from the surrounding area and even from Lerwick as late as the 1970’s. It also used to be let as holiday apartments with many Shetland school children coming down to Spiggie for summer holidays.

In its very early days, the Spiggie Hotel attracted wealthy visitors from mainland UK and Europe. They would travel here by ‘Steamer’ from Leith and disembark at the Spiggie Beach. Whilst at Spiggie, the gentlemen would hunt and shoot seals or fish for trout in the loch or salmon at the inlet. The ladies would read, play music, embroider fine linen or even learn to spin and weave. Guests would spend 1 or 2 weeks at Spiggie before either heading to another part of the Islands or back to the mainland.

Operating as a hotel for almost 140 years, the Spiggie Hotel strives to provide its guests with memorable experiences that they are happy to share and re-live with others. We hope you might be one of them.

Keith Massey