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. All year, its sheltered harbour at the heart of the town is busy with ferries, fishing boats, oil-rig supply vessels and a variety of more specialized craft including seismic survey and naval vessels from all round the North Sea. In summer, the quaysides come alive with local pleasure craft, visiting yachts, cruise liners, historic vessels such as the restored Swan , and the occasional tall sailing ship. Behind the old harbour is the compact town centre, made up of one long main street, Commercial Street; from here, narrow lanes, known as " closses ", rise westwards to the late-Victorian new town. Lerwick's attractive, flagstone-clad Commercial Street is still very much the core of the town.
Transportation in Lerwick
By Bus: Regular bus services operate to and from Lerwick servicing the whole island.
By Ferry: Lerwick ferry port is situated in the unprepossessing north harbour, about a mile from the town centre. Sailings from Lerwick to Aberdeen ferry port are operated by Northlink Ferries.
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, originally built in the 17th century, destroyed by the Dutch during a war with England and finally reconstructed i the 1782 and named after the wife of George III; Lerwick Town Hall, the Shetland Museum, covering all aspects of over 5,000 years of island life. Main display themes are archaeology, social history, agriculture, maritime, textiles and plus temporary exhibitions of local contemporary art. A vast archive also offers a possibility to look at old photographs; and Clickimin Broch, a broch on the edge of the loch, with adjacent buildings dating back to the Iron Age. The broch is about 20m in diameter and up to 5m high. It has been repaired in 19th century.
