Museums & Galleries · Orkney
Viking Longhouse
📍 ZE2 9EE
Photo: PaulT (Gunther Tschuch) (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- Reconstructed longhouse built from Hamar excavation remains
- Hand-cut timber joints assembled without nails
- Dry stone outer walls made by Trust stonemasons
- Turf roof sealed over birch bark membrane
- Hosts Viking activity days and events
The Viking Longhouse is a reconstructed Viking-age building on Unst, Shetland, created by the Shetland Amenity Trust's Architectural Heritage Team based on excavated remains from Hamar, with elements drawn from other Viking Unst sites. Craftsmen relearned traditional techniques, hand-cutting timbers so the frame locks together through joints rather than nails, while stonemasons built the dry stone outer walls and the roof was finished with birch bark and turf. It stands as a legacy of the Viking Unst Project, alongside the Skidbladner replica ship, and is used for events and Viking activity days. As a Museums & Galleries attraction in the Shetland Islands, it suits visitors keen on hands-on history and traditional craft, and makes an atmospheric stop if you're exploring the islands' Viking heritage sites.
Practical details
- Booking
- Contact via phone or email for enquiries
From the attraction's own website on 9 Oct 2026 — check before you travel.
Visitor reviews
No reviews yet — been here? Be the first to share what it's like.
Log in or create a free account to write a review.
Do you own or manage Viking Longhouse?
Claim this listing to respond to reviews and keep your information up to date. Verification is free — see why owners claim their listing.
Create a free account to claimPlaces to stay near Viking Longhouse
Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
1.5 mi
7.3 mi
21.1 mi
🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to Viking Longhouse into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.