Lerwick

In light of COVID-19, everyone's health and safety is the most important thing. This means that despite the love and desire to share our friendly, passionate and unique country, we must ask everyone at this time not to travel to our remote rural communities.

Bringing the virus to these fragile and less accessible places puts unnecessary pressure on essential services and health services for local residents.

Ferry travel to Shetland will only be available for those who permanently live on the islands and who have an essential need to travel to and from the mainland for essential supplies or business.

You might wonder where is Lerwick? The capital of Shetland is located between Norway and the north Coast of Scotland and takes it's name from the Old Norse 'Leirvik' meaning muddy bay. 

There is plenty of things to do too in Lerwick. The picturesque town has much to offer whether it be shopping for local crafts, taking scenic coastal walks or relaxing in vibrant restaurants and bars. Today, it offers visitors an intriguing insight into the ancient Norse roots of the islands, as well as friendly accommodation and the perfect starting point for exploring the rest of Shetland.

Lerwick Travel Information

Getting here 

Shetland may be the most northerly point of the British Isles, but a range of transport options make it surprisingly accessible. Direct flights to Sumburgh Airport are available with Loganair from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Kirkwall and Bergen in Norway, and from there you can hire a car or get a bus to Lerwick. You can also start your adventure with a comfortable overnight crossing from Aberdeen or Kirwall with Northlink Ferries arriving in the heart of Lerwick itself.

Travel to Shetland by ferry

Travel to Shetland by plane

Get to Lerwick

Getting around

Lerwick is quite a small town, so getting from A to B is very simple and you can walk everywhere. If you want to travel around Shetland, the journey is just as fun as the destination itself. You could jump on a plane, go island-hopping between the isles on a ferry, or whizz around empty roads by car or bike. Shetland is part of the National Cycling Network and the North Sea Cycle Route passes through the islands, and the inter-ferry service and inter-islands flights which take off from Tingwall are frequent, fast and used as much by the locals as they are visitors.

Travel around Lerwick by bus

Travel around Shetland using inter-island ferries

Travel around Shetland using inter-island flights

Get to know Lerwick and Shetland

You can find out more about where to visit in Lerwick, how to get around and plan the perfect break on Shetland.org. Plan your trip around Lerwick