Lerwick, Shetland

Details

Accessibility

https://www.shetland.org/visit/plan/getting-around/accessible-shetland

Brief description

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lerwick

2025: "Lerwick (/ˈlɛrɪk/ LEH-rik or /ˈlɜːrwɪk/ LER-whik; Old Norse: Leirvik; Norn: Larvik) is the main town and port of the Shetland archipelago, Scotland. Shetland's only burgh, Lerwick had a population of about 7,000 residents in 2010.[3] It is the northernmost major settlement within the United Kingdom.

Centred 123 miles (200 km) off the north coast of the Scottish mainland and on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland, Lerwick lies 211 miles (340 km) north-by-northeast of Aberdeen; 222 miles (357 km) west of the similarly sheltered port of Bergen in Norway; and 228 miles (367 km) south east of Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands.[n 1] One of the UK's coastal weather stations is situated there, with the local climate having small seasonal variation due to the maritime influence. Being located further north than Saint Petersburg and three of the four mainland Nordic capitals, and on the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska, Lerwick's nights in the middle of summer only get dark twilight and winters have less than six hours of complete daylight.[4][5] 

Lerwick is a name with roots in Old Norse and its local descendant, Norn, which was spoken in Shetland until the mid-19th century. The name "Lerwick" means bay of clay. The corresponding Norwegian name is Leirvik, leir meaning clay and vik meaning "bay" or "inlet". Towns with similar names exist in southwestern Norway (Leirvik, Lervik) and on the Faroe Islands (Leirvík).[6]

Television signals are received from the Bressay TV transmitter.[43] Local independent radio station SIBC broadcasts daily from a studio in Market Street. BBC Radio Shetland, a BBC Radio Scotland regional opt out, has its studios in Pitt Lane. The Shetland Times, a weekly local newspaper, has its premises in Gremista on the northern outskirts of Lerwick.[44] Millgaet Media Group, a multi-media production company, is based at the North Ness Business Park.[45]

Lerwick has strong ties with Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway (Lerwick has a friendship agreement with Måløy in Norway).[46]
Lerwick is the focus of most events in Shetland, including the largest of the annual Up Helly Aa fire festivals which takes place on the last Tuesday of January every year.[47]"

https://www.shetland.org/visit/plan/areas/lerwick

2025: "Lerwick is Shetland's only town, with a population of about 7,500 – although about half of the islands' 22,000 people live within 10 miles of the burgh.

Founded as an unofficial marketplace to service 17th century Dutch herring fleets, Lerwick took a long time to grow. Because of its illegal status (and alleged immorality!) the straggling hamlet around the shore of Leir Wick ('muddy bay') was demolished by order of the Scalloway court in 1615 and 1625.

Most of the sandstone buildings on the waterfront date from the 18th century, although a few are older. The narrow main street still follows the old shoreline but modern harbour works have been built out in front of shops and warehouses that once stood in the sea.

No-one designed the old town – it just grew – but, up beyond the Hillhead, Victorian architects laid out a "new town" of spacious villas and public parks, dominated by Lerwick Town Hall – a monument to the civic pride of the 1880s.

Useful information:

Visit Scotland's Lerwick iCentre is located in the centre of Lerwick at the Market Cross. As well as help with your visitor queries, the centre also stocks a range of Shetland's finest locally made crafts, from Fair Isle knitting to silver jewellery.

Public toilets are located on the Esplanade, across from Victoria Pier in the town centre .

You can access free WiFi at the arts venue Mareel, the Shetland Museum and Archives and the Shetland Library."

Address

Shetland Islands Council

8, North Ness House, Business Park

Mitchell's Rd

Lerwick

Shetland ZE1 0LZ

+ 

Shetland Museum & Archives

Lerwick

Shetland

ZE1 0WP

Email

info@shetland.gov.uk Shetland Islands Council

Phone

01595 693535 Shetland Islands Council

Website

https://www.shetland.gov.uk/ Shetland Islands Council

Directions

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lerwick#Transportation

2025: "Lerwick is served by the Tingwall Airport located a few miles away and Sumburgh Airport that is further south and flies all year to some Scotland destinations.[32]

NorthLink Ferries operate a daily overnight ferry service between Lerwick and Aberdeen, regularly calling in to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands.[33]

The Shetland Islands Council operate a ro-ro ferry service to Out Skerries and Bressay from a terminal in the centre of the town.[34]

The local bus service is provided by the Regional Transport Partnership (ZetTrans) and operated by a number of different local bus service operators.[35] The town has a bus station, Viking bus station.[36] "

Amenities

https://www.shetland.org/visit/plan/areas/lerwick

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lerwick#Notable_buildings

2025: "Significant buildings in Lerwick include Fort Charlotte,[27] Lerwick Town Hall,[9] the Böd of Gremista,[28] Shetland Museum[29] and Broch of Clickimin.[30]

Because of the historic nature of the area, some scenes from BBC's Shetland were filmed in Lerwick.[31] 

There are several churches in Lerwick, including:

• Adam Clarke Memorial Methodist Church (a congregation of the Methodist Church of Great Britain).[48]
• Baptist Church, Clairmont Place.[49]
• St. Columba's Church – one of three buildings of Lerwick and Bressay Parish Church (part of the Church of Scotland).[50]
• St. Magnus' Church, Greenfield Place (part of the Scottish Episcopal Church).[51]
• St. Margaret's Roman Catholic Church.[52]

In the 19th century there were more churches in Lerwick, including a Free Church on South Hill Head.[53]

While there is not currently a Muslim place of worship in Lerwick, there are plans to refurbish the old Lochside Stores building into a mosque.[54]"

Shetland Museum & Archives

Lerwick

Shetland

ZE1 0WP

+ Co-op Food - Shetland Lerwick - Holmsgarth Road

Holmsgarth Rd

Lerwick

Shetland ZE1 0PW