Everything about Lerwick totally explained
» For the aircraft, see Saro Lerwick
Lerwick is the only
burgh and main port of the
Shetland Islands in
Scotland, found more than 100
miles (160 km) off the north coast of mainland
Great Britain. Lerwick has a population (2001) of approximately 6,830 residents 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
Tórshavn 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 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 Aberdeen, a twelve hour boat journey away. The
Gilbert Bain Hospital provides
secondary care services to all of Shetland.
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.
Churches
There are several churches in Lerwick, including:
Image:Lerwick Harbour.jpg|Lerwick Harbour
Image:Lerwickbressay.jpg|View of Lerwick from Bressay
Image:Commercial Street Lerwick.jpg|Commercial Street
Image:Lerwick town hall.jpg|Lerwick Town Hall
Image:Lerwick Ft Charlotte.jpg|Lerwick from Fort Charlotte
Further Information
Get more info on 'Lerwick'.
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