Shetland Hotel (Beltrami's & Waterfront Bar), Holmsgarth, Lerwick

Official site of Shetland Hotel (Beltrami's & Waterfront Bar) - www.shetlandhotels.com

Official site of Shetland Hotel (Beltrami's & Waterfront Bar) - www.shetlandhotels.com

Housed in a hideous late 70s building opposite the national ferry terminal. There are two bars (I didn’t spot any signs for the Waterfront bar as mentioned below, maybe I was being unobservant – it’s plastered over their Facebook page!) and the ground level Beltrami’s Sports Bar. This is indeed a sports bar in as much as there are multiple sports over four screens along with a number of framed football shirts. The laminate floored blue and white interior can't be described as endearing though the wall arches at least break things up a bit. The seating is mainly sets of blue leather sofas arranged in threes around each screen. The reason to make the 10 minute walk from the Douglas Arms is the good range of bottles from Valhalla and Lerwick, five varieties in total. And it's a better bet as a waiting room than the ferry terminal opposite.

Apart from the Ferry Terminal itself, this is probably the first building you’ll see if you arrive on the Islands by sea from Aberdeen, Kirkwall or Bergen, although you won’t get a drink right away as the ferry gets in at 7.30 a.m. There are two separate bars: Beltrami’s Café/Bar on the ground floor and the Waterfront Bar and Grill on the first floor. The former was closed, even though it was after 5.00 p.m. on a Saturday, so I had a pint and a meal in the latter before catching the boat back to Aberdeen. The Waterfront comprises a long, rectangular room, overlooking Holmsgarth Ferry Terminal, which is mainly set for dining, but with a small drinking area at one end. This has sofa and armchair seating around low tables, adjacent to the actual bar, but is sadly lacking in any pub atmosphere. The drinks selection is limited, with only Tennent’s lager (at £3.50 a pint), Caledonia Best, Guinness and Magner’s cider available on draught. The “Shetland Burger” I had was, however, excellent. You’ll find many better drinking options in Lerwick and elsewhere on the Islands, but, as the closest pub is 15 minutes walk away, this place is useful for a last drink before leaving.