Information to help you make the most of your stay
Check-in and departure. Check-in is 4 pm and check-out is at 10 am. To manage Covid -19 risks, extended time is currently needed for cleaning, so flexibility on entry times is unlikely to be available at the moment. If the property is ready before 4pm you will be notified by text which you will receive if reception is good(see below). However, if you want to explore a little while waiting, especially if you have arrived by ferry, we will supply you with a written guide, put together specially for us by James Tait of Island Trails, one of Shetland's top tour guides, to introduce you to Shetland.
The weather! The weather in Shetland is very variable and it would be wise to come prepared. Bringing waterproof and windproof clothing is a sensible precaution. There are good drying facilities in our utility room.
On a similar note, please bring indoor footwear to change into when you enter the property. We provide trays to leave your outdoor shoes and boots when they are wet, damp or sandy. This will help to keep the house in the sort of condition in which you would like to find it yourself.
Having said all that, regular visitors will tell you that Shetland also is blessed with some truly glorious days when the sun shines all day and you can see forever.
Shopping for food. There are two supermarkets just 5-10 minutes away by car in Lerwick ( Co-op and Tesco) plus a number of smaller shops in Commercial Street in Lerwick. Both supermarkets are en-route if you are coming to Fairview from the ferry terminal.
Petrol. Fuel is a bit more expensive in Shetland compared with mainland Scotland (typically about 10p/litre). The nearest source is Sound Service Station, near Tesco, on the way into Lerwick from Gulberwick.
Mobile phones. The only mobile network with extensive coverage at the moment in Shetland is Vodafone and reception at Fairview for this network is good with some 4G availability. Other networks are generally only received well in Lerwick, at the airports, around the Sullom Voe Oil terminal and in some of the other towns, although coverage is improving all the time. At Fairview on these other networks reception can depend on your phone type as well as the network. If you leave your phone on the windowsill in the bedrooms this can assist with reception. Some 3G and 4G coverage is available elsewhere in Shetland but by no means everywhere. Carriers' coverage maps can be a little optimistic but you can suddenly be surprised by finding a good signal anywhere. Hilltops, including in Gulberwick, are the best places. In 2018 EE started to roll out 4G in Shetland and to extend their coverage in Shetland considerably. O2 has also started to improve it's network in more populated areas.
Fairview has a payphone which also takes incoming calls.
Internet. Fairview has free Wi-Fi internet. Shetland Islands Council provides free internet access at the Lerwick public library, the café/bar at the Mareel Arts complex, the Islesburgh Community Centre and some of its other premises. Many cafés and coffee bars also provide Wi-Fi, as does the airport at Sumburgh.
Candles. Some of the candles in the house are made by Katrina Semple who also manages the house for you. If you wish to purchase some for your own use, do have a look at her web site. The candles are also available by mail order. Please do not leave candles burning unattended in the house and please use them responsibly.
Swimming and Fitness. The Clickimin leisure complex - just 7 minutes away by car in Lerwick - has an excellent pool with Rapid River Ride, Outdoor lagoon, 2 flumes, a toddler pool and Hydrotherapy pool. The Apex fitness centre has all the cardio-vascular and resistance equipment you might need. There are many fitness classes available throughout the week. Ask at reception for available special deals. Shetland probably has more leisure centres with pools per head than any other county in the UK. Check the Shetland Recreational Trust for details. Please check opening hours on the website while the government Covid-19 restrictions are in place.
Pets. We are very sorry but we are unable to accommodate pets at Fairview.
Smoking. We have a strict 'No Smoking' policy at Fairview.
The weather! The weather in Shetland is very variable and it would be wise to come prepared. Bringing waterproof and windproof clothing is a sensible precaution. There are good drying facilities in our utility room.
On a similar note, please bring indoor footwear to change into when you enter the property. We provide trays to leave your outdoor shoes and boots when they are wet, damp or sandy. This will help to keep the house in the sort of condition in which you would like to find it yourself.
Having said all that, regular visitors will tell you that Shetland also is blessed with some truly glorious days when the sun shines all day and you can see forever.
Shopping for food. There are two supermarkets just 5-10 minutes away by car in Lerwick ( Co-op and Tesco) plus a number of smaller shops in Commercial Street in Lerwick. Both supermarkets are en-route if you are coming to Fairview from the ferry terminal.
Petrol. Fuel is a bit more expensive in Shetland compared with mainland Scotland (typically about 10p/litre). The nearest source is Sound Service Station, near Tesco, on the way into Lerwick from Gulberwick.
Mobile phones. The only mobile network with extensive coverage at the moment in Shetland is Vodafone and reception at Fairview for this network is good with some 4G availability. Other networks are generally only received well in Lerwick, at the airports, around the Sullom Voe Oil terminal and in some of the other towns, although coverage is improving all the time. At Fairview on these other networks reception can depend on your phone type as well as the network. If you leave your phone on the windowsill in the bedrooms this can assist with reception. Some 3G and 4G coverage is available elsewhere in Shetland but by no means everywhere. Carriers' coverage maps can be a little optimistic but you can suddenly be surprised by finding a good signal anywhere. Hilltops, including in Gulberwick, are the best places. In 2018 EE started to roll out 4G in Shetland and to extend their coverage in Shetland considerably. O2 has also started to improve it's network in more populated areas.
Fairview has a payphone which also takes incoming calls.
Internet. Fairview has free Wi-Fi internet. Shetland Islands Council provides free internet access at the Lerwick public library, the café/bar at the Mareel Arts complex, the Islesburgh Community Centre and some of its other premises. Many cafés and coffee bars also provide Wi-Fi, as does the airport at Sumburgh.
Candles. Some of the candles in the house are made by Katrina Semple who also manages the house for you. If you wish to purchase some for your own use, do have a look at her web site. The candles are also available by mail order. Please do not leave candles burning unattended in the house and please use them responsibly.
Swimming and Fitness. The Clickimin leisure complex - just 7 minutes away by car in Lerwick - has an excellent pool with Rapid River Ride, Outdoor lagoon, 2 flumes, a toddler pool and Hydrotherapy pool. The Apex fitness centre has all the cardio-vascular and resistance equipment you might need. There are many fitness classes available throughout the week. Ask at reception for available special deals. Shetland probably has more leisure centres with pools per head than any other county in the UK. Check the Shetland Recreational Trust for details. Please check opening hours on the website while the government Covid-19 restrictions are in place.
Pets. We are very sorry but we are unable to accommodate pets at Fairview.
Smoking. We have a strict 'No Smoking' policy at Fairview.