Sandwick, Shetland facts for kids

see also Sandwick, Whalsay and Sandwick, Orkney

Quick facts for kids Sandwick
A view over the Geo of Sandwick, towards the settlement
Sandwick
OS grid reference	HU433237
Civil parish	Dunrossness
Council area	Shetland
Lieutenancy area	Shetland
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	SHETLAND
Postcode district	ZE2
Dialling code	01950
Police	Northern
Fire	Highlands and Islands
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Orkney and Shetland
Scottish Parliament	Shetland
List of places UK Scotland 59°59′49″N 1°13′23″W / 59.997°N 1.223°W / 59.997; -1.223

Sandwick (which means "Sandy Bay" in an old language) is a small area in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. It's about 13 miles south of Lerwick, the main town in Shetland.

Sandwick isn't just one village. It's made up of several smaller places very close to each other. These include Old Sandwick, Lebitton, Broonies' Taing, Stove, Swinister, and Hoswick. Hoswick is almost a village on its own!

What Can You Find in Sandwick?

Sandwick has many useful places for people who live there and for visitors.

Shops and Places to Eat

• The "Sandwick Baking Company" is a bakery where you can buy fresh bread and treats.
• This bakery also works as the local post office and a small grocery store.
• There are two places where adults can relax and get a drink: the Sandwick Social Club and the Orca Bay Hotel.

Community Fun and Learning

• The "Carnegie Hall" is the village hall. People use it for dances, plays, and other community events.
• There's also a youth club and a community centre for everyone to enjoy.
• Sandwick Junior High School is a very important place. It's the primary school for younger kids in the village. It's also the main secondary school for all the teenagers in the South Mainland area.

Things to Do in Sandwick

Sandwick offers many activities, especially for those who love the outdoors and sports.

Water Adventures

• At Lebitton, there's a pier. During the summer, you can take a boat trip from here to Mousa island.
• Mousa is famous for its ancient stone tower called a broch.
• The local sailing club is also based at Lebitton. They race small boats and traditional "Shetland Model" boats.
• Every year, the club hosts a fun sailing and rowing competition.
• Sandwick also has a modern indoor swimming pool where you can go for a swim!

Sports and Games

• In the middle of the village, there's a children's park with swings and slides.
• There's a football pitch where the village's football team plays their home games.
• Another local team, Ness United FC, also plays some of their games here.
• You can also find Cricket being played on the school's playing fields.

Local Crafts and History

• In Hoswick, there's a factory that makes knitwear, which are knitted clothes. They also have a small shop where you can buy their products.
• Hoswick also has a visitors' centre and a cafe. It's a great place to learn about the area and grab a snack.

Famous People from Sandwick

• Dr. Thomas Matthew Finlay (1879-1954) was a famous geologist. Geologists study the Earth's rocks and how our planet was formed. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE), which is a big honor for scientists in Scotland.