This category will discuss Lerwick, a town and port in the Shetland archipelago, Scotland.
Lerwick, the principal town of the Shetland Islands, has a history that dates back to prehistoric times. Humans have inhabited the area for thousands of years, with evidence of Neolithic and Mesolithic activity.
The Old Norse hladberg, meaning "a landing place" or "a landing stone," is the origin of the term "lodberry," which was used to describe the trading booths that lined the foreshore in Lerwick. These booths, built with their foundations in the sea, were used to sell various goods, legal and illegal.
Lerwick was a lawless place during the 17th and 18th centuries, known for drunkenness, debauchery, murder, theft, and prostitution. The town was burned twice due to concerns over the behavior of sailors who inhabited the Lerwick. Nevertheless, Lerwick continued to develop, becoming one of the significant herring ports of Britain by the 19th century.
The town's traditional economy has been centred around fishing. Salt fish was exported from Lerwick during the 18th century, and whaling and herring fishing were dominant in the 19th century. Its location on the foreshore made it ideal for the fishing industry, and the construction of the lodberries facilitated the sale of fish and other goods.
In time, the textiles industry also played a significant role in Lerwick's economy, particularly in the production of knitwear.
The discovery of North Sea oil in the 1970s transformed the local economy, leading Lerwick to become an important oil supply and service base.
Today, the town's economy is still highly supported by fishing, particularly whitefish, crabs, and lobsters. The oil and gas industry remains active, and tourism is beginning to earn a place.
Lerwick is home to some notable buildings and landmarks.
One of these is Fort Charlotte. Situated in the centre of Lerwick, it is an artillery fort, roughly five-sided, with bastions on each of three landward corners and half bastions on the corners of the seaward face. The fort was originally built in 1652, although that structure no longer exists. A second fort was built on the same site in 1665, but it was burned during the 1673 Third Anglo-Dutch War. It was rebuilt in 1781 and named after Queen Charlotte, although it has never seen service during hostilities.
Constructed in 1883, Lerwick Town Hall is on Hillhead in Lerwick. Initially a municipal building, it is currently an events venue and registrar's office.
Built in 1780, the Böd of Gremista is on the north end of Lerwick, where it may be considered an example of a typical 18th-century Shetland fishing booth (böd), and is a Category B listed building.
The Broch of Clickimin is a restored broch in Lerwick. Built on what was originally an island in Clickimin Loch, it was approached by a stone causeway. It sits on a small promontory jutting into the loch.
The Shetland Museum and Archives includes a 120-seat lecture hall, display areas, a cafe, and an archive storage facility and search room. Its display areas are split between two floors.
Established in 1861, Anderson High School is a secondary school in Lerwick, currently housed in a new building that it moved to in 2017. Shetland College, a partner institution of the University of the Highlands and Islands, is also based in the town, where it offers degree-level education.
Churches in Lerwick represent Baptist, Methodist, Church of Scotland, Scottish Episcopal, and Roman Catholic denominations.
Businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, museums, libraries, art galleries, entertainment venues, organisations, attractions, and events in Lerwick are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
The ferry operator provides essential transportation services between mainland Scotland and the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland. NorthLink Ferries offers regular sailings for both passengers and vehicles, making it convenient to travel to and from these island groups. Its key routes are from Aberdeen to Lerwick, Scrabster to Stromness, and freight services for transporting goods from the islands. Booking information and online bookings are supported, and service updates are provided.
https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/
Ideal as a base for exploring Lerwick's Old Town and beyond, the Queen's Hotel is located on Commercial Street in Lerwick, on the Shetland Islands in Scotland. Several shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars are all within easy reach. The hotel offers single, double, twin, triple, and family rooms, all with flat-screen TVs and WiFi. Photos of the hotel are set forth, along with photos and descriptions of the Shetland Islands and an informational blog. Rooms may be booked online.
https://www.queenshotelshetland.co.uk/
Located in Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands of Scotland, The Shetland Museum & Archives is a multifunctional visitor attraction. It features various exhibitions, including permanent displays on Shetland's natural history, maritime heritage, and cultural traditions, while its archives house documents, photographs, and audiovisual materials offering insight into the islands' history. The museum also offers educational programs and hosts workshops, music sessions, and events.
https://www.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk/
Shetland Webcams offers a network of live webcams located at key viewing points throughout the Shetland Islands. These webcams provide real-time views of various locations, allowing locals and visitors to keep track of weather conditions, activities, and the beauty of the islands. Popular webcam locations include Sumdburgh Head, Lerwick Harbour, Eshaness Lighthouse, Sumburgh Airport, Victoria Pier, Seabird Colonies, and the Tourist Office in the Market Cross in Lerwick.
https://www.shetlandwebcams.com/
Up Helly Aa is a traditional fire festival held annually as a celebration of Shetland's Viking heritage. The largest and most well-known Up Helly Aa celebration takes place in Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, on the last Tuesday in January. It includes a Torchlit procession involving up to a thousand participants wearing elaborate costumes inspired by Viking history, as well as the burning of a replica Viking longship, and a lot of community involvement. Photos and schedules are provided.
https://www.uphellyaa.org/
