Bolts Car Hire

Shetland's Leading Car Rental Fleet

Car Hire Motorhome Hire Taxis Car Sales

Welcome to Bolts Car Hire

Bolts Car Hire is Shetland's largest and most experienced rental company, offering a wide range of modern, well maintained cars, vans, and mini buses. It is our aim to provide a reliable, personal, and friendly service. Our competitive rates cover:

  • Unlimited Mileage
  • Comprehensive Insurance Cover
  • Free Child Seats On Request
  • No Surcharge On Fuel Refills
  • No Pets allowed.
Fleet of cars for hire

About Bolts Car Hire

Bolts Car Hire first began operating in 1971, starting with just four cars. The business quickly grew during the construction of the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal in the late 1970's had a fleet of nearly four hundred vehicles. In 1995, the business was bought by Arlene and John Garriock who, with the help of their family, have continued the Bolts tradition of being a family run business.

Lerwick Main Office

Our main office is on North Road, in Lerwick where our staff are on hand to help with any enquiries you may have, or to pick up or drop off your vehicle. Around the corner from the office is our garage facilities where we fully service and maintain our fleet of vehicles regularly to keep them running smoothly and to meet our own high standards for cleanliness.

As well as our main premises on North Road, Lerwick,  your car can be delivered for arrivals at Lerwick Ferry Terminal. We meet all booked customers inside the ferry terminal at 08:00 prompt.

SUMBURGH AIRPORT

Sumburgh is Shetland's main airport and is situated at the southern tip of the mainland, 25 miles from Lerwick. We maintain a fully staffed office and fuel refilling facility at Sumburgh Airport, where Bolts Car Hire has been established for over 50 years. Our car hire office at Sumburgh Airport is open seven days a week for all scheduled and most charter flights. Please let us know your flight number and arrival time.

LERWICK FERRY TERMINAL

Northlink run a daily ferry service between Lerwick and Aberdeen, with a connection to the Orkney Isles on certain nights. Contact us to book your car and we will be waiting for you in the terminal. Our desk is situated on the ground floor inside the terminal building and is staffed for a limited time for all prior reservations, at 08:00 prompt please.

cars map

TINGWALL AIRPORT

Used by the Direct Flight inter-isles service, Tingwall Airport is only 7 miles west from Lerwick. The Shetland Islands Council arrange Dial-A-Ride transport to and from the airport for a minimal fee. Telephone us before you fly in and we will arrange to have you collected and taken into our main office at Lerwick where you can collect your car.

CRUISE SHIPS

Cruise ships visit Lerwick all summer. We used to meet customers on the quay, but we are no longer allowed to do this. Last year we had a lot of cancellations due to Covid, bad weather, and customers not showing up. This year we are not taking any one day cruise ship bookings, but you can contact us the day before you get here, and we will see what is available for that day. Please note that cruise ships do not berth at the ferry terminal.

Explore Shetland with Bolts Car Hire

Upon arrival in Shetland it will soon become apparent that the islands are much larger than you may have anticipated and that, in order to explore and fully enjoy them, a car is essential. Of the 100 islands comprising the group some 15 are inhabited. Six car-ferry services serve the larger islands. The 625 road miles covering Shetland are well worth exploring and with the freedom of a car you will soon discover the delights of these unique islands. There are over 3000 miles of scenic coastline where birds and wildlife abound.