Top 10 Things To Do In Lerwick, Scotland

things to do in lerwick
Dannah
Dannah 
Published
| 4 min read

There is an old Scottish saying that perfectly summarizes how one should approach his/her time spent in the old town of Lerwick, Shetland Islands: “Noo jist haud on.” In translation, “Now just hold it, slow down, take your time.” Lerwick is the main town of Shetland, a humble archipelago in the northern isles of Scotland. It is a town filled with scenic attractions and rich fisheries that offer tourists a relaxing visit. If you’re about to travel to this part of Scotland, then check out the top things to do in Lerwick, UK to make your stay as memorable as can be.

1. Engage in the archipelago's history at Shetland Museum and Archives

Shetlandmuseum Lerwick
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Clemensfranz used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The best way to appreciate a place is to learn about its past. Luckily, this award-winning museum and archives gives guests a fun experience as they discover Shetland’s rich history free of charge (of course, donations are always welcome). It features artifacts and exhibition spaces. They also host a variety of exciting events throughout the year, so be sure to check their calendar during your stay.

Shetland Museum and Archives

Address: Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0WP, United Kingdom

Website: Shetland Museum and Archives

Opening hours: Tue, Thu - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 12pm - 4:30pm (closed on Mon & Wed)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

2. Explore the majestic Broch of Clickmin

Clickimin Broch 20080820 04
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Otter used under CC BY-SA 3.0

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Lerwick, but if you’re looking for an understated yet unique adventure, then Broch of Clickmin is a perfect attraction. Brochs are defensive structures, and they were used as places for refuge by the Scots during the Iron Age. They are tall, round structures that can only be found in Scotland. Broch of Clickmin is situated in Clickmin Loch, which can be accessed via an entrance across a petrol station.

Broch of Clickmin

Address: The Willows, 38 South Rd, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0RD, United Kingdom

Website: Broch of Clickmin

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Visited this place?

3. Take a sip of Shetland-brewed beer at Lerwick Brewery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The latest to join the psychedelic pony clan ... The Lloyds Bar - The Playfair. IPA as featured in Beer52.com

Posted by Lerwick Brewery on Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Scotland is famous for its world-class whiskey, but who doesn’t love a good bottle of beer? A fairly new establishment in Lerwick, Lerwick Brewery is a local brewery that takes pride in its premium craft beer. The brewery regularly welcomes guests for a tour, where visitors can meet the people behind the craft ales and have a delightful tasting session. Advanced booking, however, is a must.

Lerwick Brewery

Address: Ladies Dr, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0NA, United Kingdom

Website: Lerwick Brewery

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Visited this place?

4. Feast your eyes on the stained-glass windows of Lerwick Town Hall

Lerwick Town Hall (1)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user lost penguin used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Lerwick Town Hall is Shetland’s main civic building. It is an architectural masterpiece that represents the Scottish Baronial style. The committee in charge of the facility wanted to express the island’s rich history through the building’s design, which is why there are depictions of various coats of arms and other decorations. Nowadays, the town hall is used as a prime venue for events such as weddings and concerts, but what’s most notable about this attraction is its display of stained-glass windows.

Lerwick Town Hall

Address: Hillhead, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0HB, United Kingdom

Website: Lerwick Town Hall

Visited this place?

5. Take an Instagram-worthy picture at The Lodberrie

Lerwick - The Lodberries
Source: Photo by Flickr user Peter Stenzel used under CC BY-ND 2.0

This attraction is probably the most photographed location in Lerwick as it has been used in a widely known TV show named after the archipelago itself, ‘Shetland’. Lodberries were used as private wharves for merchants. They are commonly placed near the sea to help merchants efficiently unload supplies and goods. The famous Lodberrie attraction remains unchanged since its construction in the 1700s. Despite being one of the oldest structures in Lerwick, it remains an integral part of the town that fascinates many tourists to this day.

The Lodberrie

Address: 20 Commercial St, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0AN, United Kingdom

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

6. Enjoy some whiskey at Da Wheel Bar

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

HENDRICK’S GIN is now available in our downstairs bar! Come and try it with one of our Fever-Tree premium tonics.

Posted by Da Wheel on Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Who’s up for some good, old-fashioned whiskey with Scottish folks? Da Wheel Bar is a pub in Lerwick with an exterior that perfectly depicts the town’s outstanding fishing. The real highlight of this quaint pub is the premium liquor partnered with the friendly company of the locals.

Da Wheel Bar

Address: 13 Commercial Rd, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0LX, United

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 1am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 3am

Visited this place?

7. Explore the mighty Fort Charlotte

Fort Charlotte 20080820 barracks
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Otter used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you’re looking for more historic sites, then, head right down to Fort Charlotte, an artillery fort that was built to defend Lerwick against the Dutch. Despite being built for combat, it is said that the fort never saw any hostile action except when it was burned by the Dutch in 1673. Eventually, all the guns were removed and the facility was used for various purposes, including a town jail, a custom house, a coastguard station, a Royal Naval Reserve, and a drill hall for the Territorial Army. Today, tourists can hop back in time as the fort was renovated to replicate its original state in the 1780s.

Fort Charlotte

Address: 179 Commercial St, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0HX, United Kingdom

Website: Fort Charlotte

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

Visited this place?

8. Shop for hand-knit items at Shetland Textile Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

No. 8 More goodies from last year.

Posted by Shetland Textile Museum on Monday, May 18, 2020

Shetland Textile Museum features a wide array of textiles made by some of Shetland’s best knitters, spinners, weavers, button-makers, jewelers, woodworkers, and designers. Its collection contains over 600 items. Shetland knitwear or hosiery are known around the world for their quality and design, which is why you should never miss a chance to bring one home from the museum’s shop. They offer gloves, hats, scarves, shawls, wraps, cowls, and gauntlets.

Shetland Textile Museum

Address: Bod of Gremista, Gremista Industrial Estate, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0PX, United Kingdom

Website: Shetland Textile Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Price: 3 GBP (4 USD)

Visited this place?

9. Experience Nepalese and Indian Cuisine like no other at The Gurkha Kitchen

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Gurkha Kitchen on Saturday, December 14, 2019

Who would expect an Indian/Nepalese restaurant in such a remote part of Scotland? The Gurkha Kitchen is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Some of their beloved dishes are chicken biryani, chicken chili, and Kathmandu chicken. They also have a children’s menu and a variety of drinks to complement your meal.

The Gurkha Kitchen

Address: 33 North Rd, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0NQ, United Kingdom

Website: The Gurkha Kitchen

Opening hours: Mon, Wed - Sun: 12pm - 2pm, 4:30pm - 10pm (closed on Tue)

Visited this place?

10. Go sightseeing at The Knab

Celebrity Infinity IMG 9990 (14385279014)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ronnie Robertson used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Out of all the amazing places you can go to in Lerwick, the view at The Knab is unlike any other. This scenic memorial park along the coast is the perfect place to take a long walk as you enjoy Lerwick’s splendid natural surroundings. At eye level is a spectacular view of Bressay, but down below is a torpedo tube platform that was used during World War II.

The Knab

Address: Knab Rd, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0YB, United Kingdom

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

Savor the historic architecture and vibrant waterfront of Lerwick

Each building in Lerwick holds a piece of the town’s story, but the true heart of Lerwick will always be its waterfront. As a place known for its rich fishing grounds, its waterfront not only represents the town’s history and trade but also how it has evolved through the years. Despite being located in the northern isles, Lerwick is quite an accessible travel destination, and once you arrive, there are many means to tour the town (bus, taxis, rented cars), but the best way is to walk as most of the tourist spots are close to each other. Add these things to do in Lerwick to your itinerary and plan your vacation today!

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Dannah is a 25-year-old writer and digital marketer. She's a career-oriented woman who is always excited to learn new things. When she's not working, you'd find her sitting at home, drinking a cup...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Lerwick
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.