Lerwick Local Information: 10 top things to know... more
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1. History
The town’s name comes from the Old Norse word LeirvÃk, meaning muddy bay. The area began as a marketplace for Dutch herring fishermen and fishing has always remained a central part of its identity. Most of the sandstone buildings on the waterfront date from the 18th century.
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2. Now
Lerwick is Shetland’s capital and its only town. About half of the island’s 22,000 people live within 10 miles. Lerwick is made up of the old town and new town areas. It is a busy and modern port town that is popular with tourists. The hospitality industry is a major employer in the town.
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3. Events
The Up Helly Aa is a huge event on Lerwick’s annual calendar, when the town is taken over by fire. This one-day celebration at the end of January includes a huge bonfire, a procession and much more. The Shetland Folk Festival, in May, is a world famous event that includes performances from many top musicians from the folk world. Many of the concerts sell out during this popu...Read more
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4. Attractions
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5. Things To Do
The Shetland Islands are a popular destination for those wanting to enjoy the great outdoors. Popular activities to take part in on Shetland include walking, cycling, golf, trout fishing, sea angling, sailing, surfing, diving and photography. The Clickimin Leisure Complex includes a 25-metre pool with flumes, river ride, giant bubble pool, toddlers’ pool and outdoor lagoon a...Read more
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6. Business
The Toll Clock Shopping Centre, in Lerwick, is a popular shopping destination in the town and has a vast selection of stores and places to eat and drink. The centre includes free parking facilities. The main shopping streets in the town centre offer a choice of high street names and independent retailers as well as plenty of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes.
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7. Transport
There are flights to Shetland every day from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Sumburgh Airport is 25 miles from Lerwick. Car ferries travel to Lerwick every night from Aberdeen, arriving early in the morning.
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8. Entertainment
The Garrison Theatre is the main venue for live entertainment in the town. Its programme of events includes community and professional shows of live theatre, stand up comedy, concerts, pantomime and dance. The theatre is also home to the town’s cinema, showing all the latest film releases. The Clickimin Leisure Centre is also used for concerts, cabaret events and various gal...Read more
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9. Famous Landmarks
Lerwick Town Hall is a Gothic building that dominates the landscape and features stained glass windows depicting Shetland's Norse/Scots history. Fort Charlotte is a five-sided artillery fort. It was first built in 1665 to protect the area against the Dutch and was burnt down and rebuilt in 1781. Clickimin Broch is an Iron Age tower on the edge of the town and is easy to acces...Read more
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10. Interesting Fact
Lerwick is more than 100 miles from the British mainland. It is the most northern town in Scotland and also the most easterly.
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Lerwick Blog
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Crime novel is top choice again
Crime novel Blue Lightning is the most popular book to be borrowed from the Shetland Library for the fourth year in a row. The book, by author Ann Cleeves, took the title for the most borrowed book from the library in...
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Alcohol-free night is a success
Young people from all over Shetland travelled to an alcohol-free night of music. The January Jam event took place in Bixter Hall, Bixter, and was organised by young people who wanted to encourage their peers to have fun without...
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Festival flag turns red
The Up Helly Aa tradition of a white flag was broken for only the second time in a century this year. This year’s Jarl, the main character in the festival, is an ex-serviceman and for him the white flag would be...
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Project takes athletics to youngsters
Youngsters are bouncing, jumping, throwing and running as part of a new athletics project. Children in Lerwick are among those from across Shetland to take part in the new Athletics Zone initiative, which aims to introduce athletics to pupils in primary years...
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