Lerwick

Lerwick is the only burgh and main port of the Shetland Islands, found more than 160 km (100 miles) off the north coast of mainland Scotland. It has a population of approximately 7,500 residents and is by far the UK's northernmost town, being closer to Bergen in Norway than to the northern Scottish city of Aberdeen.

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, Bressay, Unst, Yell,and Whalsay.

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 Bergen in Norway.

Lerwick is a name with roots in Old Norse and its local descendant, Norn that was spoken in Shetland till 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 headland.

Lerwick has a friendship agreement with Måløy in Norway.

External Links

Shetlopedia.com - Lerwick Pages

Shetland Islands | Scottish county towns | Towns in Scotland | Ports and harbours of Scotland

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Lerwick

See also

External Links