Lerwick

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Lerwick

Lerwick is the only burgh and main port of the Shetland Islands in Scotland, found more than 100 miles (160 km) off the north coast of mainland Great Britain. Lerwick has a population of approximately 7,500 residents and is by far the northernmost town in Scotland, as well as in the entirety of the United Kingdom. Lerwick is about 210 miles from Aberdeen and 230 miles from both Bergen in Norway and Torshavn in the Faroe Isles.

Lerwick lies on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland. It was founded in the seventeenth century as a herring and white fish seaport, and still thrives as a fishing and ferry port. The harbour is also busy with vessels supporting the offshore oil industry.

Ferries from Lerwick sail to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, Aberdeen, Fair Isle, Bergen in Norway, Seyðisfjörður in Iceland and Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands, as well as to the Out Skerries and Bressay.

Lerwick is the focus of most events in Shetland, including the largest of the annual Up Helly-Aa fire festivals.

Significant buildings in Lerwick include Fort Charlotte, Lerwick Town Hall, the Böd of Gremista and Clickimin Broch.

Local independent radio station SIBC broadcasts daily from Lerwick. Shetland College, a constituent partner institution of the University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI) Millennium Institute, is also based in the town, offering degree-level education (amongst several other courses) to locals who unsurprisingly find it difficult to study further afield. The next closest university-level institution is the University of Aberdeen, a twelve hour boat journey away.

Lerwick is a name with roots in Old Norse and its local descendant, Norn that was spoken in Shetland until the mid-19th century. The words Ler Wich mean Bay of Clay. The corresponding Norwegian name is Leirvik. Leir means clay and vik means bay or inlet.

Lerwick has a friendship agreement with Måløy in Norway.