It is a subspecies of the Eurasian wren, endemic to the Shetland archipelago of Scotland, with the exception of Fair Isle which has its own endemic subspecies, the Fair Isle wren.

The barring on the upper parts is blacker and the markings on the lores and ear coverts are darker brown.

[2] The song is rather louder and more varied than the Eurasian wren, perhaps to make it more audible on the boulder beaches where it mainly breeds.

[2] The main breeding habitat of Shetland wrens is boulder beaches, though when population levels increase some birds will nest further inland, in bushes or beside streams.

[3] An estimate of the population, dating back to the start of the 21st century, was of 1500–3000 breeding pairs.