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About us

Kaye and Juliet with a Westie The Practice was started by Jim & Juliet Nicolson in 1985, working from the Garage showroom at Bixter, trading as Westside Veterinary Surgery. In 1992, our own Surgery was built, and Bixter is still the administrative centre for the Practice. By 2000, the surgery and staff were at capacity, and we decided to open a Branch in a central location, which would be more convenient for clients in the central and south Mainland. We wanted the same easy access and parking which we were all used to at Bixter, so we found an unused SIC building at Blydoit, Scalloway. This was converted into a very pleasant and functional surgery which was extended in 2012. In 2015 we opened our Lerwick Branch, which is on Commercial Road.

In 2014, Jim & Juliet made the decision to take the company into Employee Ownership. Their shares were transferred to Shetland Vets Employee Trust, so all employees now have a stake in the success of the Practice.

RCVS Accredited Practice

Shetland Vets was first inspected in 2009, then again in 2013 and the most recent inspection was carried out in 2018  by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and we were delighted to become an Accredited Practice under their Practice Standards Scheme. The Scheme aims to promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care. This means that our clients can have peace of mind that their practice has been regularly inspected and complies with legal and health and safety requirements.

Contact Us

Please contact Shetland Vets if there is anything we might be able to do to help you