Making the most of Lerwick Shetland Islands Scotland
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Lerwick is among Shetland’s busiest hubs, welcoming up to 25,000 cruise passengers each year. Record numbers have arrived over the last decade, with nearly 50 ships in a season making it one of Scotland’s leading cruise destinations.
Ships up to 205 meters can berth alongside. Larger vessels anchor in Bressay Sound, with a five-minute launch ride to a floating pontoon in a sheltered dock near town. The modest 1.7 meter tidal range assists transfers.
Lerwick cruise terminal sits in the middle of Lerwick Harbour, itself central within the town.
A major museum complex opened on Lerwick waterfront in Spring 2007 at a restored historic dock, a few minutes from the floating pontoon and berths. A dedicated welcome-ashore pavilion followed in 2010, giving passengers orientation and information.
For Holmsgarth berths, a shuttle runs to and from Town center 1 km away. Guests not on pre-arranged excursions receive basic orientation and independent-activity advice.
See webcams of the port and town.
Check the cruise calendar and whether you will berth or anchor.
Lerwick is compelling year-round. Summer brings yachts and North Atlantic cruise liners to its waterfront; winter makes the harbour a refuge for every kind of craft, while Commercial Street’s turns defy the fiercest weather. It began humbly as shore huts occupied in Dutch fishing seasons, then expanded quickly from the seventeenth century.
Above the shoreline track that became Commercial Street, buildings packed into a web of narrow lanes. New fishing-fleet docks were built north of town in the 19th century. At Freefield, Hay’s dock formed Shetland fishing’s centre, and Lerwick’s largest ship, barque North Briton, was launched there in 1836.
By the late 19th century, wealthier residents were leaving old Lerwick for flatter land west of Hillhead. The town went on to become a thriving, welcoming place of around 7,600 people serving Shetland’s 23,000 inhabitants.
Lerwick has a wide range of accommodation, good eating places, pubs and clubs for most tastes, plus some of Britain’s most advanced indoor leisure facilities. It is also an excellent place to sample Shetland’s internationally celebrated musical heritage: the islands are best known for fiddle music, but talent embraces a wide range of styles.
Stone-flagged Commercial Street is many visitors’ first Cruise Port experience. It winds between tall stone buildings, giving one of Britain’s finest small town centres its distinctive character and forming the heart of Shetland social and business life.
Above Commercial Street, The Lanes have been restored from dereliction and private wooded gardens bloom with fuchsia and flowering currant. They were originally “Lops” and “Mosses”, renamed in 1845 by Commissioners of Police after contemporary people or themes, creating Pitt, Reform and Fox Lanes.
South-west of the Fort is Lerwick Town Hall, a splendid Scots Baronial and Gothic building designed by Alexander Ross, completed in 1883 by John M. Aitken for £3,240. Armorial features recall cultural and trading ties; stained glass, best in late-day sun, shows Shetland historical figures. A guidebook is available. Across the road, crow-stepped gables give County Buildings a Scottish character; they contain sheriff court, police station and cells.
Getting around
Lerwick is easily covered on foot, with beautiful villages and countryside nearby. Use the Lerwick-Shetfield Walking Map to navigate.
Food and shopping
Browse Lerwick’s quaint streets for local crafts, woollens and souvenirs, then enjoy Scottish and seafood dishes in cafes and restaurants.
Most shops also trade on Sundays.
Money
The UK uses the pound (£), also called quid. Scottish bank notes are frowned upon elsewhere in the UK, so change these notes before leaving Scotland.
ATMs, often called “holes in the wall”, are very common and usually issue £10 and £20 notes.
Most shops and restaurants take Visa, Mastercard and Maestro, including in the town centre.
Staying connected
English is used across the country, sometimes with strong accents.
Most cafes and restaurants provide free WiFi.
Dial 999 locally in an emergency; EU-wide 112 also works.
Opening Hours and
General shopping hours:
Small shops open 6 or 7 days weekly, 10am - 6pm. Larger stores often trade until 9PM, and Hyper marts are commonly 24/7.