lerwick tourist attractions

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Lerwick

Things to do in lerwick, explore popular experiences, ways to tour lerwick.

Full-Day Private City Tour in Lerwick

Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland

Ponies Express Private Tour to Scalloway

4 Hours Rugged Northern Exposure Private Guided Tour from Lerwick

Private Tour from Lerwick West Side Explorer

Tours & sightseeing.

Top Attractions in Lerwick

Other Top Attractions around Lerwick

Private & Custom Tours

Shore excursions, what travellers are saying.

Top Things to Do in Lerwick, Mainland

Places to visit in lerwick, explore popular experiences, ways to tour lerwick.

Full-Day Private City Tour in Lerwick

Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland

Ponies Express Private Tour to Scalloway

4 Hours Rugged Northern Exposure Private Guided Tour from Lerwick

Private Tour from Lerwick West Side Explorer

Tours & sightseeing.

Top Attractions in Lerwick

Other Top Attractions around Lerwick

Private & Custom Tours

Shore excursions, what travellers are saying.

Top Things to Do in Lerwick - Lerwick Must-See Attractions

Things to do in lerwick, explore popular experiences, ways to tour lerwick.

Full-Day Private City Tour in Lerwick

Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland

Ponies Express Private Tour to Scalloway

4 Hours Rugged Northern Exposure Private Guided Tour from Lerwick

Private Tour from Lerwick West Side Explorer

Tours & sightseeing.

Top Attractions in Lerwick

Other Top Attractions around Lerwick

Private & Custom Tours

Shore excursions, what travellers are saying.

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Plan Your Trip to Lerwick: Best of Lerwick Tourism

Lerwick, United Kingdom

Essential lerwick.

Lerwick Is Great For

Art & history.

Eat & drink

• The Queens Hotel
• Fort Charlotte Guest House
• Grand Hotel - Lerwick
• Aald Harbour B&B
• Islesburgh House Hostel
• No 88 Kitchen and Bar
• Fjara Cafe Bar
• Da Steakhoose
• C'est la Vie
• Croft House Museum
• Shetland Museum and Archives
• Clickimin Broch
• The Lerwick Brewery
• Full-Day Private City Tour in Lerwick
• Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland
• Ponies Express Private Tour to Scalloway
• The Shetland Pony Experience - Private Tour
• 4 Hours Rugged Northern Exposure Private Guided Tour from Lerwick

Plan Your Lerwick Holiday: Best of Lerwick

EXPLORE Lerwick

Essential lerwick.

Lerwick Is Great For

Art & history.

Eat & drink

7 Best Things To Do In Lerwick Cruise Port (Shetland Islands) + Port Info

Welcome to Lerwick, the charming capital of the Shetland Islands in the northeast of Scotland (United Kingdom), an archipelago comprising over 100 islands known for spectacular vistas, abundant wildlife, and a rich history.

The town of Lerwick is located on the Shetland archipelago’s main island called Mainland. Cruise ships typically anchor and use tender boats which dock at a small harbour, located within a short walk from downtown, where you can explore the town’s landmarks such as the iconic Shetland Museum and Archives.

Cruise ships frequently stop at Lerwick as part of the British Isles cruise or on their way to the Norwegian fjords and Iceland.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into practical information about the Lerwick cruise terminal and uncover the 7 best things to do in Lerwick port .

Visit also our cruise port guides to Kirkwall , Newcastle ,  Cork/Cobh , Belfast , Dover , Glasgow (Greenock) ,  Invergordon (Inverness)

Lerwick Cruise Port

Cruise ships up to 230 meters in length can dock at either Mair’s Pier (1.8 miles from Lerwick downtown) or Holmsgarth 5 (1 mile from downtown). In this case, due to the distance, the Port of Lerwick usually offers free shuttle buses to transfer passengers to the town center.

More frequently, large cruise vessels anchor in front of the town and use tender boats to transfer passengers to  Victoria Pier , a pontoon pier adjacent to a small parking lot for tour buses and taxis. This dock is located within a short walk from Lerwick’s old town. Here, you’ll find essential amenities such as a taxi stand, public toilets, and an internet connection to stay connected.

Nearby, you’ll find a great tourist information office known as VisitScotland Lerwick iCentre where you can get maps and gather information on local attractions, activities, tours and car rentals. A supermarket, shops and cafes/restaurants are available within an easy walk from there.

For anyone looking to explore beyond the port’s nearby area, Lerwick has a reliable local transportation system. Bus schedules are available at the Lerwick iCentre and you can also check them on the official webpage https://www.zettrans.org.uk/

7 Best Things To Do In Lerwick Cruise Port, Shetland Islands

From wandering through the quiet streets of Lerwich Old Town to spotting Shetland ponies and exploring the archaeological sites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this small, yet beautiful port of call!

1. Lerwick Old Town

The historic streets of Lerwick are conveniently located within short walking distance from the dock. Take your time to wander around its cobblestone streets lined with quaint shops, traditional houses, and historic buildings. Here’s a list of the must-see landmarks:

1.1. Shetland Museum and Archives

This small yet impressive museum, located within a 15-minute walk from Victoria Pier, takes you on a fascinating journey through the Shetland Islands’ local history and culture.

The museum features a wealth of exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays that showcase the diverse heritage of the Shetland Islands, from the maritime history that shaped its identity to the Norse influences that are still evident today.

1.2. Commercial Street

This picturesque street, lined with traditional stone buildings, is the main shopping area in the town offering a delightful mix of independent shops, local boutiques, and inviting cafes. Here, you can find unique Shetland crafts, high-quality knitwear, and a variety of local products.

Commercial Street is pedestrian-friendly and lies parallel to Victoria Pier.

1.3. Fort Charlotte

If you keep walking uphill toward the end of Commercial Street, you’ll come across the historic Fort Charlotte, a 17th-century fortress perched atop a hill overlooking Lerwick Harbor.

Built to protect the harbor from Dutch attacks, this well-preserved fortification features robust stone walls and five bastions. Visitors can explore the grounds, its ramparts, cannons, and exhibitions while enjoying panoramic views of Lerwick, Bressay Sound, and the surrounding area.

Fort Charlotte is located within a 5-minute walk from the dock.

1.4. The Lodberrie

Located at the other end of Commercial Street, within a 5-minute walk from the port, the Lodberrie is one of Lerwick’s most iconic and picturesque landmarks, known for its charming row of 18th-century waterfront buildings.

Originally used as a trading post and storage area for goods arriving by sea, the Lodberrie now stands as a symbol of Lerwick’s rich maritime heritage. The buildings, with their distinctive stone exteriors and wooden doors, have been carefully preserved, and one of them even featured as the home of Detective Jimmy Perez in the popular TV series “Shetland.”

Explore Lerwick tours and activities

2. Broch of Clickimin

The Broch of Clickimin (or Clickimin Broch) is a remarkable archaeological site located 1 mile (a 25-minute walk) from Lerwick’s town center. This well-preserved Iron Age broch, dating back over 2,000 years, is situated on a small islet connected by a causeway and offers a fascinating glimpse into Shetland’s ancient past.

The site includes a round stone tower and surrounding structures, providing insights into the architectural skills and daily life of its early inhabitants.

Aside from the broch itself, the surrounding area provides opportunities for leisurely hikes and relaxing nature walks with beautiful views of the sea.

Located along Lerwick’s scenic waterfront, within a 5-minute walk from the archaeological site, is the iconic Fjarå Café Bar which offers a delightful dining experience with stunning views of Bressay Sound.

Explore the Broch of Clickimin tours and activities

3. Böd of Gremista

The Böd of Gremista is a historic 18th-century fishing booth located at the north end of Lerwick, right next to Lerwick Marina, around 1.8 miles (a 40-minute walk) from Victoria Pier. If your cruise ship docks at Mair’s Pier or Holmsgarth Pier, you can reach it in a 5-10 minute walk.

Built in 1780, the Böd of Gremista originally served as a storehouse and lodging for fishermen and traders. Today, it has been transformed into a fascinating museum that offers insights into Shetland’s fishing heritage and traditional way of life.

Visitors can explore the preserved interior, which includes period furnishings and exhibits on local history, including the story of Arthur Anderson, a Shetlander who co-founded the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O).

4. Wildlife Spotting

The Shetland Islands boast a rich and diverse array of wildlife, making them a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Among the most famous residents are the sturdy Shetland ponies , known for their small size and remarkable strength. These ponies, with their thick, weather-resistant coats, can be seen grazing in the island’s lush pastures.

The rugged coastline and remote landscapes also provide ideal habitats for a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, which nest in the cliffs.

The surrounding waters are home to seals, otters, and occasionally visiting orcas and dolphins, offering spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities.

Inland, the moorlands and wetlands support diverse birdlife and small mammals.

The best ways to see the Shetland Islands’ wildlife from Lerwick include boat tours that navigate around scenic spots like Noss National Nature Reserve , offering views of seabirds, seals, and occasionally whales.

Guided wildlife safaris and walking tours take visitors to key locations for spotting otters, Shetland ponies, and diverse bird species.

Kayaking trips along the coastline provide close encounters with marine life, while local nature reserves like Clickimin Loch and Loch of Spiggie offer excellent bird-watching opportunities.

Explore wildlife spotting tours from Lerwick

5. Explore Archaeological Sites

The Shetland Islands are known for numerous ancient archaeological sites scattered across the archipelago. Besides Clickimin Broch, a few other remarkable sites are accessible from the port of Lerwick.

One of these sites is the Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement , which lies 25 miles (a 35-minute drive) south of Lerwick cruise port and spans over a fascinating 4,000 years of history. This archeological marvel features remains from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pictish era, Norse settlement, and medieval period, including stone structures, a broch, and a medieval farmhouse.

Exploring Jarlshof allows you to walk in the footsteps of ancient peoples, marvel at their craftsmanship, and gain insights into their daily lives, customs, and societal evolution over thousands of years.

Broch of Mousa is another archaeological site you can visit, reachable by ferry from Lerwick. This remarkably well-preserved broch, located on the uninhabited island of Mousa 15 miles south of Lerwick port, is one of the finest examples of its kind in Scotland.

Rising majestically to over 13 meters in height, this broch offers a glimpse into ancient construction techniques and features fantastic panoramic views of the coast.

Old Scatness Broch & Iron Age Village , located near Jarlshof, is the third ancient site well worth visiting. The site features a well-preserved Iron Age broch and Pictish and Norse settlement remains and offers guided tours and interactive exhibits.

6. Scenic Coastal Walks

The Shetland Islands are known for their stunning natural landscapes and scenic coastal walks are an ideal way to explore them.

You can circumnavigate the town of Lerwick on a Lerwick coastal walk , which starts from the Lerwick Esplanade and goes around the town to the renowned Fjarå Café Bar. The walk takes about 2 hours and involves walking on partially hilly terrain. It’s also a great way to explore the local life as the route will take you to some local neighborhoods.

The Lerwick Esplanade offers another great stroll along the waterfront promenade and provides beautiful views of the harbor, traditional fishing boats, and the surrounding islands.

For a longer walk, the Knab , located only a 20-minute walk south of Lerwick, offers panoramic vistas of rugged cliffs, the open sea, and glimpses of seabirds soaring overhead.

7. Sample Local Cuisine

A visit to Lerwick cruise port is not complete without tasting the fresh local seafood, hearty stews, and traditional Orcadian dishes, perfectly complemented by a pint of local ale or a warming dram of whisky.

Begin your culinary exploration with delicious Shetland mussels , harvested from the pristine waters surrounding the islands. Steamed, baked, or served in a creamy sauce, the Shetland mussels are a seafood lover’s dream!

You must also try the famous Shetland salmon . This famous fish, whether smoked to perfection or eaten fresh, is of great quality and flavor because of the cold, clear waters in which it lives.

For a taste of traditional Orcadian cuisine, look no further than hearty stews and comforting dishes. Warm up with a hearty broth filled with root vegetables, barley, and succulent chunks of meat, and enjoy local dishes such as reestit mutton , a local delicacy made from salted and dried mutton that’s been slow-cooked to tender perfection.

To top off your day, try “ Beremeal Bannock “, a traditional Scottish flatbread often enjoyed with sweet toppings like butter, honey, or jam.

Visit also our cruise port guide to Liverpool , Dover , Dublin , Reykjavik , Bergen , Geirangerfjord , Cherbourg , Amsterdam , Copenhagen , Le Havre

You may also like our cruise port guides to the Mediterranean , Caribbean , Western Europe , Baltic & Scandinavia , USA & Canada , Australia & New Zealand

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• Lerwick Tourism
• Lerwick Itineraries
• Lerwick Tours
• Lerwick Hotels

Top Tourist Attractions in Lerwick

• United Kingdom
• Things To Do In Lerwick

Best Things To Do in Lerwick, United Kingdom

Have you ever visited a new place and felt ‘wow’ about it? For many visitors, it happens at Lerwick.

Lerwick may not be as popular as other cities in United Kingdom, but don’t let that fool you. Lerwick is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.

You might wish to revisit it someday again, to take a break and relax at Lerwick.

If you have plans to visit United Kingdom and are not sure if Lerwick should be included in your itinerary, keep reading. In this list, we have put together some of the things to do in Lerwick and around. We have a hunch that if you include this city in your travel plans, you will be thrilled you did so.

• Things to do with Family & Kids in Lerwick
• Entertainment Activities in Lerwick
• Museums in Lerwick
• Art & Cultural Attractions in Lerwick

Tourist Attractions in Lerwick

Here is the list of things to do in Lerwick and tourist attractions in city.

Shetland Museum And Archives

Art Gallery, Museum

Address: Hay's Dock

Shetland Musical Heritage Trust, Lerwick, United Kingdom

Address: 5 Burns Lane

Shetland Museum

Shetland Islands Council, Lerwick, United Kingdom

Address: Town Hall

Croft House Museum

Address: Boddam, Dunrossness

Bod Of Gremista

The Lounge Bar

Bar, Food And Drinks, Nightlife, Adults

Address: 4 Mounthooly St, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0BJ, UK

Shetland Seabird Tours Ltd

Scottish episcopal church.

• Created with Fabric.js 5.2.4

are the northern lights visible in lerwick

You may get lucky and see the aurora in Lerwick on clear winter nights. However, the aurora may be hard to predict and even if present may get overshadowed by clouds. 

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• Shetland Visitor Guide

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Lerwick is the capital and administrative centre of Shetland and the only sizeable town. Though the islands have been inhabited for many centuries, Lerwick only dates from the 17th century, when it began to grow as a trading port for Dutch herring fishermen, thanks to its superb natural sheltered harbour, the Bressay Sound.

The town spread along the waterfront, where merchants built their lodberries, which were houses and warehouses with their own piers so that they could trade directly with visiting ships. By the late 19th century Lerwick had become the main herring port in northern Europe.

Lerwick has continued to grow and is now home to a third of Shetland's population. The discovery of oil in the North Sea in the early 1970s led to the building of the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, and the effect on Lerwick has been dramatic. It is now the main transit point to the North Sea oil rigs and there have been major extensions to the harbour area, bringing increased shipping and prosperity to the town. Phone code: +44 (0)1595 Population: 7,600

The best place to eat in Lerwick is Monty's Bistro & Deli, 5 Mounthooly St, Tel. 696655. It offers good modern Scottish cooking in a cosy, informal setting. Lunch cheap; dinner mid-range. Closed Sun. The next best choice is dinner or bar lunch at the Kveldsro Hotel and Lerwick Hotel (see above). Best place for a curry is the moderately-priced Raba Indian Restaurant, 26 Commercial Rd, Tel. 695585. Osla's Café, Tel. 696005, on Mounthooly St, is a cosy café serving a wide range of coffees, pancakes and other snacks and boasting the islands' only beer garden. Open Mon-Sat till at least 1900, Sun 1200-1600.

Despite a ready supply of fresh local produce, Shetland is a gastronomic desert

Travel Directions to Lerwick

Ferries from Aberdeen arrive at the main Holmsgarth terminal, which is about a mile north of the old harbour. There's a regular bus service between Lerwick and Sumburgh airport (50 mins) run by John Leask & Son, Tel. 693162. Taxis (around £25) and car hire are also available. All island bus services start and end at the Viking bus station, which is on Commercial Road, a short distance north of the town centre. The town is small and everything is within easy walking distance.

The main Tourist Information Centre is at Market Cross, on Commercial St, Tel. 693434, Shetland Tourism As well as booking accommodation, they are an excellent source of information, books, maps and leaflets, and will change foreign currency. Open May-Sep Mon-Fri 0800-1800, Sat 0800-1600, Sun 1000-1300; Oct-Apr Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

There are regular daily buses (Nos 3 and 4) to and from Sumburgh airport which connect with flights. These buses also stop at several main sights, including Jarlshof, Sandwick (for Mousa Broch) and St Ninian's Isle. Bus No 2 runs to Scalloway (Mon-Sat). There are also buses (daily except Sun) to Walls, Sandness, Aith, Skeld, North Roe, Hillswick, Vidlin, Toft and Mossbank. Buses depart from the Viking bus station. Full details are given in the Shetland Transport Timetable.

Bolts Car Hire, Toll Clock Shopping Centre, 26 North Rd, Tel. 693636. John Leask & Son, Esplanade, Tel. 693162. Star Rent-a-Car, 22 Commercial Rd, Tel. 692075. Both also have offices at Sumburgh Airport. Cycle hire Grantfield Garage, North Rd, Tel. 692709, Mon-Sat 0800-1300 and 1400-1700. There are several taxi companies in Lerwick: 6050 Cabs, Tel. 696050; Sheilds Taxis, Tel. 695276; Abbys Taxis, Tel. 696666.

Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale and Royal are on Commercial St. Lloyds TSB is on the Esplanade.

Communications

Post office Commercial St (open Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1200), also in Toll Clock Shopping Centre, 26 North Rd.

Embassies and consulates

Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands and Sweden at Hay & Company, 66 Commercial Rd, Tel. 692533; Finland, France, Germany and Norway at Shearer Shipping Services, Garthspool, Tel. 692556.

Lerwick Laundry, 36 Market St, Tel. 693043, closed Sun. Service washes only. Medical facilities Gilbert Bain Hospital, Scalloway Rd, Tel. 743000. Opposite is the Lerwick Health Centre, Tel.693201.

Travel agents

John Leask & Son, Esplanade, Tel. 693162.

Local Sights & Activities for Lerwick

The town's heart is the attractive Commercial Street, which runs parallel to the Esplanade. At the southern end are many old houses and lodberries, and you can continue south along the cliffs to the Knab or to lovely Bain's beach. Lerwick Walks is a leaflet detailing many interesting walks in and around town.

Overlooking the north end of Commercial Street is Fort Charlotte, built in 1665 and later rebuilt in 1780 and named after Queen Charlotte, George III's consort. It has since been used as a prison and Royal Naval Reserve base and, though there's little to see in the fort, there are fine views of the harbour from the battlements. Info - Jun-Sep daily 0900-2200; Oct-May 0900-1600. Free. One of Lerwick's most impressive buildings is the Victorian town hall, on Hillhead. The stained-glass windows of the main hall depict episodes from Shetland's history. Info - Mon-Fri 1000-1200 and 1400-1530. Free.

Opposite the town hall, above the library, is the Shetland Museum, which gives a useful introduction to the islands' history. Amongst the artefacts on display is a replica of the St Ninian's Isle treasure. Info - Mon, Wed and Fri 1000-1900; Tue, Thu and Sat till 1700. Free. Tel. 695057.

Also in town is the Up Helly-Aa Exhibition, in the Galley Shed off St Sunniva Street. This gives a taste of the famous Viking fire festival held annually in Lerwick on the last Tuesday in January, when a torch-lit procession through the town by hundreds of people dressed in Viking costumes (guizers) is followed by a replica Viking longship built especially for the event. At the end of the procession the ship is set ablaze when the guizers throw their flaming torches on to it. Info - Mid-May to mid-Sep Tue 1400-1600 and 1700-1900, Fri 1700-1900, Sat 1400-1600. Adult £3.00, concession £1.50.

A mile west of town are the substantial remains of Clickimin Broch, a fortified site occupied from 700 BC to around the fifth or sixth century AD. A path leads to the site from opposite the Safeway supermarket on the A970. Info - Always open. Free.

A mile west of town are the substantial remains of Clickimin Broch , a fortified site occupied from 700BC to around 5th or 6th century AD.About a mile north of the ferry terminal is the Böd of Gremista, a restored 18th-century fishing böd (booth) which was the birthplace of Arthur Anderson (1791-1868), co-founder of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, now P&O. One of the rooms features an exhibition on Anderson's life and involvement with P&O. Info - Jun to mid-Sep Wed and Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1700. Free.

The best place for a drink is the upstairs bar in the Lounge, on Mounthooly St near the tourist office, where local musicians usually play on Sat lunchtimes and some evenings. The town's only nightclub is Posers, at the Grand Hotel. Folk music has a strong following in Shetland and the islands play host to 2 of Scotland's top folk events. In mid-Apr the islands are alive with the sound of music as musicians from around the globe come to play at the Shetland Folk Festival. Later, in mid-Oct, is the Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival. For details of both events, contact the Folk Festival office, 5 Burns Lane, Lerwick, Tel. 694757. To find out what's going on, buy a copy of the Shetland Times on Fri, or check out their website, www.shetland-times.co.uk Also check the tourist board's Events phoneline, Tel. 694200. Sport

Clickimin Centre, Lochside, Tel. 741000. Sports and fitness centre open daily 0800-2300.

You can also join local guided walks given by Douglas Sinclair who shows you the history and hidden nooks and crannies of the town -  http://www.douglassinclair.co.uk/  and use the contact form on the contact page to get in touch

Castles Nearby

Castle Holm, Shetland

Castle Holm stands on an islet in Loch Strom in Shetland connected to the surrounding land by a causeway which can only be crossed at low tide. Only low walls remain.

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Nearby Ancient Monuments

Broch of Clickimin

Large well-preserved Broch or tower close to the centre of Lerwick

Lerwick Hotels & Accommodation

Shetland's best accommodation is outside Lerwick , whose hotels are mostly geared towards the oil industry. During the peak months of Jul and Aug and the Folk Festival in Apr, it's a good idea to book in advance.

The most luxurious hotel in town is the B Kveldsro House Hotel, Greenfield Pl, Tel. 692195, Kveldsro House Hotel Pronounced 'kel-ro', it overlooks the harbour and has an upmarket (and expensive) restaurant as well as cheaper bar food. Directly opposite the ferry terminal is the modern B Shetland Hotel, Tel. 695515; and 10 mins from the centre is the B Lerwick Hotel, 15 South Rd, Tel. 692166,  which has a reputation for fine cuisine. In the centre is the Grand Hotel , Commercial St, Tel. 692826, which features Shetland's only nightclub; and by the harbour is the rather faded B-C Queen's Hotel, Commercial St, Tel. 692826.

There are several pleasant guest houses and B&Bs, including Fort Charlotte Guest House, 1 Charlotte St, Tel. 695956; The Old Manse, 9 Commercial St, Tel. 696301;  Alder Lodge Guest House, 6 Clairmont Pl, Tel. 695705, Carradel Guest House, 36 King Harald St, Tel. 692251; and next door, Solheim Guest House, Tel. 695275. Lerwick's clean, well-run SYHA hostel is at Islesburgh House, King Harald St, Tel. 692114, open Apr-Sep. There's camping at Clickimin Caravan & Camp Site, Tel. 741000, near Clickimin Leisure Centre and loch on the western edge of town.

Hotels near Lerwick

Rocklea Villa sleeps 8

It is situated on the west side of the Shetland mainland in the picturesque village of Walls.

Shoreside Holiday Cottage Sleeps 4

Shoreside holiday cottage is a detached Croft House situated in a seafront location just a few feet from the waters edge. Built around 1863 on Shetlands, using local stone and wood from a grounded German cargo ship, this cottage has a fascinating story to tell. Sleeps 4

• Sleeps: 4-5

South House sleeps 6

South House is a homely, quirky  cosy Shetland Croft house which sits on the southern shores of Ronas Voe, about 50 yards from a beach and ruins of a historic fishing station.

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Top Things to Do in Lerwick

Things to do in lerwick, explore popular experiences, ways to tour lerwick.

Full-Day Private City Tour in Lerwick

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• A Lerwick waterfront walk

Among the many reasons to visit or live in Shetland is the opportunity for walking, whether on a spectacular coastline or in the hills. The choices seem almost infinite.

But coasts and hills aren't the only options on the walking menu. It might come as a surprise, but those who love an urban walk needn't be disappointed. Shetland’s capital, Lerwick, offers plenty of walking potential.

One possible starting point for our ramble is Hay’s Dock, which these days is home to the Shetland Museum and Archives and Mareel, our arts centre, in either of which you can enjoy something to eat or drink before venturing on.

The museum and archives tell Shetland's story from the earliest geological times and the displays draw on a rich collection of artefacts. The textile collection is very impressive and is nationally recognised. Temporary exhibitions occasionally bring us wonderful pieces from national galleries, such as a remarkable Holbein painting and ceramics by Grayson Perry. The archives are an essential resource for anyone researching Shetland's history.

Mareel offers two state-of-the-art cinemas, with properly raked seating that's much better than the usual arrangement in shoebox multiplexes. Current releases form part of the programme but there's a good selection of classic and international films too. An excellent concert hall hosts local and visiting musicians in every genre. There's some gallery space, lots of scope to work on a laptop and, behind the scenes, facilities that enable training in sound engineering and other media disciplines.

On the quayside outside the museum, an unusual feature is the set of four ‘receivers’ – loudspeakers that reproduce sound recordings drawn from Shetland’s rich heritage. What's played is influenced by wind speed and it's well worth pausing here whenever you're visiting this part of the waterfront.

Hay's Dock dates from 1830 and was one of many along this stretch of the northern waterfront, which was the heart of Lerwick’s fishing industry. Hereabouts, herring was landed in vast quantities, then gutted and packed in barrels by hundreds of filleters; nearby, coopers made the barrels and there would have been all the other services needed to keep boats seaworthy and nets serviceable.

Boats were built at Hay’s Dock, too, including the sail-fishing vessel Swan, launched here in 1900, and now Shetland’s very own sail-training vessel. Lerwick owes its existence to the fishing industry, having its origins in seasonally-occupied huts and sheds that served the needs of the Dutch fleet from the 16th century.

From here, our route leads towards the town centre. We can take advantage of a new walkway, created when this area was redeveloped, though – thanks to the presence of the islands’ fuel storage tanks and an active shipyard – we can’t quite keep to the water’s edge all the way. We rejoin it near the former fish market, which has been replaced by a new one farther north.

We continue past the ferry terminal that serves the island of Bressay, next to which is Albert Building, now the headquarters of Lerwick Port Authority. It dates from around 1900 and was restored in 1990. It’s one of those Shetland buildings whose dark red corrugated metal walls immediately recall the building styles found along the Norwegian coast.

In summer especially, this part of the harbour is busy with all manner of visiting craft, from tall ships like the beautiful Norwegian Statsraad Lehmkul to visiting naval vessels. Cruise liners have become frequent visitors over recent years; typically, we can expect around 140 over the season. Smaller ones berth on the outer face of Victoria Pier, or farther north in the Holmsgarth area, and the largest vessels anchor in the harbour and ferry their passengers ashore on tenders.

Until 1977, Victoria Pier was the terminal for the ferry service linking Lerwick with Aberdeen. The connection with town centre life was direct: I remember being in D&G Leslie’s shop, just across the street from the ship, when the customer ahead of me asked why there were no pork pies. The shopkeeper simply nodded in the direction of the St Clair : “For’ard crane’s broken down”.

The warmer months also see dozens of yachts make their way here from all around the North Atlantic and – occasionally – from much farther afield. Norwegian, Swedish, Faroese, Icelandic, Dutch, German, Danish and French yachts are the most common, but occasionally we may see transatlantic visitors from the USA and Canada. Very rarely, an Australian or New Zealand flag may flutter in the breeze.

The picture looks very different in winter. Lerwick's harbour is a superb natural haven, sheltered by Bressay and accessible in any weather. When storms threaten, fishing boats and other craft from all around the North Sea take refuge. If, say, the cargo has shifted on a vessel carrying timber, the skipper will make for Lewick in order to put things right.

All year round, though, we'll almost always find the harbour tug, Kebister , and the pilot boat, Knab , awaiting their next duty. The Lerwick Lifeboat has a berth in the small boat harbour, as do the boats that take visitors on cruises around Bressay and the seabird cliffs of Noss. On summer evenings, this is also the scene of much activity by local dinghy sailors, who take part in competitions or pleasure trips in Bressay Sound.

All the land on which these piers and the adjoining Esplanade stand is reclaimed from the sea, which - until the 19th century – ran right up to the buildings that form the seaward edge of the town centre. Many of these would have been ‘lodberries’; ‘lodberrie’ literally means ‘loading stone' in old Norse, so it’s essentially a jetty; but there would typically have been a merchant’s warehouse and, in some cases, living accommodation. The building now occupied by the Peerie Shop was one of these. We’ll come to more lodberries, in their original setting, a little farther on.

We pass the Tolbooth, completed in 1770, though later extended to the rear; it’s one of Lerwick’s older buildings. It served as Town House and later as the post office; now, it’s used by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

In the foreground is a striking and beautifully-executed piece of public art, Jo Chapman’s bronze sculpture, Da Lightsome Buoy , that celebrates the islands’ connections with the sea and especially their pelagic fishing heritage.

Beyond the Tolbooth is the Queen’s Hotel, formed in the mid 19th century from three buildings and restored following a serious fire in 1987. Its walls are washed by the sea, sometimes quite dramatically. The hotel has, in its time, hosted many well-known visitors to Shetland, ranging from Sir John Betjeman to Paul and Linda McCartney.

The Queen’s is by no means the only building around here with its feet in the sea, because the next stage in our ramble takes us past several more lodberries. It’s easy to imagine traders operating from these and a couple still have loading doors at which boats could tie up. There are tales, too, of smuggling around here, with illicit gin or brandy secreted in hidden tunnels.

One of the lodberries is instantly recognisable to millions of television viewers around the world because it was chosen as the fictional home of Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez in BBC1's Shetland . Perez no longer features in the series but this is probably still the most-photographed building in Shetland.

A little farther south, there are two reminders of a figure who looms large in Shetland’s history, Arthur Anderson (1792-1868). Born in the Böd of Gremista in Lerwick, he spent ten years in the Royal Navy before becoming a shipping clerk in London. He later co-founded the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which we now know as P&O, a company which grew to have the largest fleet of steamships in the world.

But Shetland remained at the front of his mind. He set up the islands’ first local newspaper, the Shetland Journal and – keen to disrupt the fishing monopoly enjoyed by lairds of the day – he established the Shetland Fishery Company, based on the western island of Vaila. He became the Whig MP for Orkney and Shetland in 1847, reflecting an almost unbroken tradition of liberal politics in the islands that has featured two Liberal or Liberal Democrat leaders at Westminster, Jo Grimond and Jim Wallace (now Baron Wallace of Tankerness) and another at Holyrood, Tavish Scott. The islands' current MP, Alistair Carmichael, and MSP, Beatrice Wishart, are also Liberal Democrats.

Anderson’s name lives on in Shetland. One reminder is the Widows’ Homes, which we pass on the left on this walk, and for which he provided funding.

In passing, it would be remiss not to admire the re-use of a boat as a roof on a local photographer’s garage, a solution once common in Shetland and still occasionally employed.

Arthur Anderson also founded the Anderson Educational Institute, opened in 1862, which lies on rising ground to our right. Its motto was, and remains, Do Weel and Persevere .

The Institute later became the Anderson High School, which recently moved to a new site in the west of the town. The original building, which stylistically has some appealing French touches, remains. Both it and the two former school hostels are 'Listed' and will be put to new uses. Housing development will occupy the land on which now-demolished school buildings formerly stood.

Before long, the public road ends and we follow the footpath that leads around the promontory known as the Knab. We’re only around ten minutes’ walk from the town centre, but here are spectacular sea cliffs, nesting fulmar petrels, and great views west to the island of Bressay and towards the South Mainland and the island of Mousa. There’s an informal nine-hole golf course here, too, at the top of which is the coastguard station.

Lerwick was heavily fortified during the World Wars and there are reminders around the coast and to landward. One of these is close to the footpath, a Second World War torpedo station, designed to attack any enemy vessel that sought to enter the harbour. This was just one of scores of fortifications: there is a lookout point farther up the hill and, as we reach the top of the path, we can see the Ness of Sound, where there are more concrete structures dating from that period.

It's downhill from the viewpoint here, past the golf course and then above a rocky shore that’s often an excellent place to encounter seals, which sun themselves just fifty yards or so from the Tesco supermarket and even closer to Fjara, an excellent shoreside café restaurant.

From here, there are several more walking options. If we want to return to our starting point, we can continue past the Broch of Clickimin and then along the north shore of the loch, passing the new Anderson High School and rejoining the waterfront in the Garthspool area en route to Hay's Dock.

Another possibility is to head back through the so-called 'New Town' of Lerwick, which dates from the late 19th century and features many fine stone villas, the very attractive flower gardens and the Lerwick Town Hall, which contains some of the finest secular stained glass in Britain.

However, if an even longer walk is what's wanted, it's possible to head south along the winding Sea Road and on to the Ness of Sound, a grassy peninsula from which there are great views in all directions. There's a description of that route here.

And these aren't the only the options Lerwick offers. The Lanes area, above Commercial Street, is worth exploring; in winter, it's sheltered and in summer, when fuschia and flowering currant spill over the stone walls, it's a treat for the senses. Fort Charlotte offers a helping of military history and excellent views.

Another popular outing is the climb from Clickimin, over the Staney Hill and back via the old North Road. Nor, in that direction, should we exclude further exploration north of the town centre, where - among the industry - there's the Böd of Gremista, that other link with Arthur Anderson. Nearby, there's quite often a chance to see some of the best-fed seals in Shetland; they hang around to benefit from generous fishy treats provided by boats landing catches at the fish factory.

So, there's more to walking in Shetland than those wonderful cliffs and moors!

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Alastair Hamilton

Alastair Hamilton moved to Shetland in 1976. Until he retired, he worked for Shetland Islands Council, latterly as Head of Planning, and was also involved in economic development.

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Lerwick iCentre

Located at the Market Cross in the centre of Lerwick’s main shopping street the VisitScotland iCentre is open all year and has everything you need to plan your visit to Shetland as well as a range of Shetland Crafts.

VisitScotland's Lerwick iCentre is the ideal location to begin your Shetland adventure, with a wide range of information available and knowledgeable advisors on hand we can help you plan your own unique visit to Britain’s most northerly isles. We can help you with finding accommodation in Shetland, booking trips and tours, advising on transport within Shetland and provide information about all there is to see and do on the islands. The centre also stocks a range of locally made crafts, from Fair Isle knitting to sea-glass jewellery you will find of Shetland’s finest crafts available here.

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Top Attractions in Lerwick

Discover the top attractions in Lerwick. From iconic landmarks and cultural hotspots to stunning parks and hidden gems, explore the must-visit places with these experiences. Discover what makes Lerwick truly unique!

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