Lerwick

The approximately 6,570 inhabitants ( 2004 estimate ) Lerwick comprehensive city is the largest city and county seat of belonging to Scotland Shetland Islands.

History

Lerwick was founded in the 17th century. During this time, its port was Dutch herring fishermen as a focal point. In the 18th century Lerwick benefited from the Greenland whaling and the gin - smuggling Holland. End of the 19th century the city experienced a renewed boom herring. In 1905, 1 million barrels of herring were salted and exported. In 1971, oil was discovered east of the Shetland Islands. The oil field, which is called the East Shetland Basin, covers an estimated 4,500 million tons of oil ( this amount is sufficient, for example, by 45 years to supply the United Kingdom at the current consumption rate with oil). Lerwick and the entire Shetland Islands benefit from the oil find.

Port

The strategic proximity of the port Lerwick lead to the oil production facilities in the northern North Sea, to the fishing grounds of the Atlantic Ocean and its location in the center of the Shetland Islands to a strong frequented by ships of the oil industry, the fishing fleets, pleasure boats and cruise ships. According to the operator of Lerwick Port Authority of the port in 2005 was attended by 5,006 ships. It 110 992 tonnes of fish were handled in the value of £ 57 million and 864 735 tonnes of freight. 146 959 passengers used the ferry the Smyril Line and the North Link Ferries to and from Aberdeen ( Scotland), Hanstholm (Denmark), Kirkwall ( Scotland) and Torshavn ( Faroe Islands ). In 2008, 36 cruise ships were expected to use the Lerwick as a starting point for a tour of the Shetland Islands. Among the ships are the Amadea, the Hanseatic and the Norwegian Jewel. Since 2009 Lerwick is no longer served by the Smyril Line. Since there are only a ferry with Northlink Ferries to Scotland and the Orkney Islands.

The port complies with the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. It can be run independently of the tide in any weather. The entire port area has two entrances and an expansion of 9 nautical miles along the north-south direction. The total quay length is 3200 meters up to 12.5 meters water depth. Other parts of the port consist of the facilities of the Oil Service Base and those of the company SBS Logistics.

Attractions

  • To protect Fort Charlotte, built in 1665 the port from the Dutch fleet,
  • The Shetland Museum,
  • The Böd of Gremista, a restored fishing lodge from the 18th century and
  • The Broch of Clickhimin from the 7th century BC

Regular events

Among the regular events include the annual Shetland Folk Festival and the Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival.

On the last Tuesday in January of each year, the Up Helly Aa takes place as an annual highlight of traditional customs.

Gallery

View in the streets of Lerwick.

Houses in the city

Typical houses in the vicinity of the port (May 1992)

Air table

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