Leading Shetland estate agency and national law firm

We operate one of the leading estate agency services in Shetland and the Highlands, while as one of Scotland's leading, full service law firms, Harper Macleod advises businesses, organisations and individuals on all of their legal needs in Scotland, the UK and beyond.

We have specialist lawyers across all legal disciplines, covering every service you are likely to need in both your business and personal life. Allied to this, our in-depth industry knowledge allows us to apply our multi-disciplinary offering to achieve the best outcome for you.

With offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Elgin and Thurso, as well as Lerwick, our solicitors are on hand to advise you across the whole of Scotland.

Harper Macleod has been named Scotland's Law Firm of the Year eight times, and that's because we believe you get out what you put in. Because we’re driven by your needs, not ours, we’ll work harder to understand your requirements. Our people are flexible, proactive problem solvers, who use law as a tool to provide innovative and tailored solutions that deliver a better outcome for you, or for your business.

Our roots

From left: Paul Rutherford, Professor Lorne Crerar, Chris Dowle and Donald Munro
From left: Paul Rutherford, Professor Lorne Crerar, Chris Dowle and Donald Munro

In 2015, Harper Macleod joined forces with Dowle, Smith & Rutherford.

The move saw the joint firm retain the people who have earned such a great reputation in Shetland, while giving clients access to a much greater range of expertise and strength of depth. The joint firm brings the full weight of Harper Macleod's commercial and personal legal offering to the existing services provided to future and current clients.

Related Pages
Keep up to date with the latest property for sale in Shetland

For full details and colour photographs of all the properties we have for sale or lease, please view our property list.

Useful links

Harper Macleod Personal Legal Services
Details of the other personal legal services we provide

Harper Macleod Services for Businesses & Organisations
Details of our commercial & public sector legal services

Shetland Islands Council - Council Tax
Details of the Council Tax rates in Shetland

Registers of Scotland
Scotland's national land and property registers

The Law Society of Scotland
The governing body of Shetland solicitors

Crofting Commission
Regulators of the crofting system

Estate Agency Highlands
Property in Inverness and the Highlands from our Harper Macleod colleagues

  • Robert, a huge thank you for organising the sale of our property. You made it very easy for us. Andrew Kerr was amazing too.
    Mr and Mrs Wiseman
  • Again thank you for your assistance so far, I couldn’t have asked for better giving the country wide situation so I’m very grateful for works done so far and the speed at which it has happened.
    Mr S
  • We have availed ourselves of services provided by Harper Macleod of Lerwick, both in buying and selling residential property. Our needs on both these occasions were fully met and the service provided by them made our task in these circumstances, seemingly without effort.

    Prior to this we had also received very helpful general advice pertaining to Shetland real estate from them. This was a tremendous benefit to us at the time.

    If you are seeking cost effective, excellent real estate marketing and legal services, we would not hesitate in recommending Harper Macleod of Lerwick.
    David & Jan Elliot
  • Personally I was absolutely delighted with how it was handled from start to finish. Also, As a couple, Beth and myself were hugely impressed with the professionalism, attention to detail and speed your team delivered to us selling both property and buying another.
    David Simpson
  • We were very impressed with your professional manner and always keeping us up to date with progress.
    Lee Thompson
  • Thanks again for your brilliant service with both my property sales over the past years. Your experience in Shetland is much noted with local people.

    Selling my house whilst living in Edinburgh was a daunting prospect but I should not have worried. The communications between both parties was easy and the sale of my property went through without any hitches.
    Diane Legget
  • Many thanks for dealing with our sale so efficiently.
    Mrs Moses
  • Harper Macleod made selling my house very easy. Robert and Kira were really helpful. They made the whole process simple, especially as it was my first time selling a house. They have a great website and good system for seeing how many home reports have been downloaded. I would definitely recommend.
    Jolene Garriock
  • Harper Macleod LLP were excellent in the sale of my house. This was my first house sale and from the beginning of the process to the end they provided brilliant support and guidance. The process was made simple for me and each step was explained fully. They were very efficient and effective with communications.
    Laura Smith
  • We have been very pleased with the professional service we received from Harper Macleod. In particular the sales particulars and marketing of the property.  The advice received during the sale process was extremely helpful and the conveyancing was straightforward and hassle free. Would recommend Harper Macleod.
    HM Client