Information About

Lerwick




Lerwick is the only Burgh and main port of the Shetland Islands , found more than 160 km (100 Mile s) off the north coast of mainland Scotland . It has a population of approximately 7,000. Lerwick is the most northerly town of the British 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 , Bressay , Unst , Yell ,and Whalsay .

Lerwick is the focus of most events in Shetland, including the largest of the annual Up Helly-Aa Fire Festival s.

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.

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 ''muddy bay''. The corresponding Norwegian name is ''Leirvik''. ''Leir'' means ''clay'' and ''vik'' means ''bay'' or ''headland''.

Lerwick has a friendship agreement with Måløy in Norway.


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