Lerwick is the only town and main port of the Shetland Islands, found more than 160km (100 miles) off the north coast of 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 seaport, and still thrives as a fishing and ferry port and oil terminal.

Ferries from Lerwick sail to Aberdeen, Stromness in the Orkney Islands, Fair Isle, Bergen in Norway 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 Up Helly-Aa , the annual fire festival.

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 Norwegian language. The words Ler Wich means muddy bay. The corresponding Norwegian name is Leirvik. Leir means clay and vik means bay.

See also

• Leirvik - a harbour on the island of Stord in Norway
• Leirvík - a harbour on the island of Eysturoy, one of the Faroe Islands