is the only
Burgh and main port of the
Shetland Islands in
Scotland , found more than 100
Mile s (160 km) off the north coast of mainland
Great Britain . Lerwick has a population (2001) of approximately 6,830 residents "Shetland in Statistics",Shetland Islands Council, 30th Edition 2003 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 Islands .
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 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. 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 Wick'' mean ''Bay of Mud''. The corresponding Norwegian name is ''
Leirvik ''. ''Leir'' means ''Mud'' and ''vik'' means ''bay'' or ''inlet''.
Lerwick has a friendship agreement with
Måløy in Norway.
