Lerwick is a small town (~7500) but a surprisingly rich one in historical and cultural terms. It's anyway the main town for 350 Km around - to the north (Tórshavn, Faroé), to the east (Bergen, Norway), to the south (Aberdeen).
That remoteness in sub-arctic Atlantic gives Lerwick a further importance as the fishing industry is a major activity for the town and in fact for the UK. It's also a port-of-call for some cruise ship tours.
As a town, Lerwick is not very old: the settlement only started to grow in the 18th. century. Before that, Scalloway was the most important village in the islands. It's just a few miles west, and has its own active harbour.
In recent years, Lerwick's growth is powered by its fishing fleet, the knitwear industry and the oil platforms in North Atlantic. The town may look oldish, but is in fact a very young one.
Significant buildings in Lerwick include
- Lerwick's Town Hall
- The Old Tolbooth
- The Garrison theater
- Fort Charlotte
- The Shetland Library
- The Lodberries and Queens Hotel
- Shetland Museum and Archives
- The Lanes
- The Clickimin Broch
The Council Chamber is decorated with remarkable stained glass windows.
The old Tolbooth
Located on a corner of Commercial street and Church street, overlooking the harbour, the building dates from 1767.
'Tolbooth' was an administration center and court-room, it served later as post-office, Fishermen's Mission, Red Cross Society office, and now is a shore-station and shop.
The top floor originally contained one large room, used for functions such as Masonic Lodge meetings, and two small prison cells. The two rooms on the ground floor were used as a courtroom and schoolroom, the latter converted to the sheriff-clerk's office in about 1825.
It was recently renovated on a large scale. It is now home to Britain's busiest lifeboat station.
The Garrison Theater
Built in 1903.
In Lerwick’s old town Market Street, The Garrison hosts a varied annual programme of live theatre, stand up comedy, concerts, pantomine, and dance.
Fort Charlotte
The Lodberries
The Lodberries are merchant buildings dating back to 17th/18th centuries.
These were houses and warehouses sitting on their own piers so that
goods could be loaded and unloaded directly from the boats.
The Shetland Library and Archive (old St. Rigan's church)
The Shetland Library is installed in the former St. Ringan’s Church.
The Shetland Museum
The Shetland Museum and Archives is located in the Hay's quay area.
One of its treasures is this impressive stone panel, known as “The Monk Stone”, identified as a Pictish altar with a carving of Christian missionaries.
Finally, also in display is the last original sixareen (six-oared boat) – the Far Haaf, which waited nearly 50 years to be displayed.
The Lanes
A network of narrow lanes, or closses, connects Commercial Street with Hillhead.
Houses of Lerwick
One of the most common styles is the so-called Haa houses - thick walled, rectangular, tall, narrow, gabled buildings, often with pronounced garrets and crow-stepped gables (see the Garrison theater above).
The Broch of Clickimin
The Broch of Clickimin (or Clickimin broch) is a large and well preserved broch near Lerwick. Originally built on an island in a small loch, the structure contains a later wheelhouse.
It is situated within a walled enclosure and, unusually for brochs, features a large "blockhouse" between the opening in the enclosure and the door of the broch itself.
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Before leaving Lerwick, a visit to to the Peerie Shop for some knitwear - may be a fabulous Fair Isle jumper - and coffee with a cake at the side café.
