Lerwick

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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 7,000. 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 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.

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.

See also

• Leirvik - a harbour on the island of Stord in Norway
• Leirvík - a harbour on the island of Eysturoy, one of the Faroe IslandsTemplate:Shetland-geo-stub

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