Shetland - Jarlshof Prehistoric Settlement

Jarlshof, situated opposite Sumburgh Airport, is probably the Shetland Islands' principal prehistoric site. The complex covers a wide timespan. Round houses from the Bronze Age and Iron Age lie alongside Viking longhouses. The most recent buildings are a farmhouse dating from the 16th C and a hall built by the infamous earls Robert and Patrick Stewart. A small museum details the course of the excavations. The name "Jarlshof" has no historic importance, but originates from the imagination of Sir Walter Scott who visited the island in 1816 and immortalized it in his book "The Pirate".

This is one of the most complete, and earliest, excavations of a Viking settlement. It serves to show that the Vikings were peaceful settlers as well as violent raiders.