Lerwick
| Location: 60° 09’ N 001° 08’ W | |
| No. of Berths: 3 | |
| Berth details: | Holmsgarth No.5, Max L.O.A. 205m. Depth: 9.2m Victoria Pier (East), Max L.O.A. 145m. Depth: 6.8m – 9.2m Victoria Pier (West), Max L.O.A. 90m. Depth: 6.0m – 8.4m |
| Anchorage: yes | |
| Distance to Landing Stage: 0.4 NM (Inner), 1.3 NM (Outer) | |
| Tidal range/movement: 1.7m | |
| Pilotage: Compulsory | |
| Town centre: Adjacent and 1km | |
| Shuttle to town: yes - available on request from Holmsgarth | |
| Nearest airport: Sumburgh, 40km | |
Contact:
Sandra Laurenson, Chief Executive
Lerwick Port Authority, Albert Building, Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland, ZE1 0LL
T: +44 (0)1595 692991 F: +44 (0)1595 693452
E:
W: www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk
With its own intrinsic beauty and deep water sheltered harbour, Lerwick is one of Scotland’s top cruise destinations.
Located midway between Faroe, Norway and the Scottish mainland, the port of Lerwick accommodates ships up to 205m length alongside. Larger ships can anchor in the harbour with passengers just five minutes from a modern landing stage in a sheltered dock in the town centre.
Lerwick has been welcoming cruise ships since the late 19th century. The St Sunniva was among the first to call on a cruise from the Norwegian fjords. Arthur Anderson, co-founder of P & O and credited with inventing cruising, was born in Lerwick where his house is now a museum.
Shetland is renowned for its Scandinavian and Scottish heritage and has archaeological sites, spectacular seabird colonies and marine life. Amongst the attractions are excursions to Mousa, an island which boasts the best-preserved Iron Age broch in Scotland and to Jarlshof, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles.
An onboard Tourism Information Team is available and very popular for cruise calls. Local flavour is provided by a Welcome Ashore team featuring traditional costume and music to meet-and-greet every cruise passenger.
Popular Excursions
The following is a list of popular excursions that are available.
It should be noted that these details are not definitive but are intended to demonstrate the range of excursions and activities available to cruise passengers visiting Lerwick as part of a cruise. Please note that, in many cases and with prior arrangement, half day tours can be combined to create full day itineraries
Shore excursions are normally pre-booked onboard via the cruise line concerned. Cruise Scotland cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information and all details and tour descriptions should be checked with the cruise line concerned.
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4 Hours Tammie Norie & Historic Vista
Meander through Lerwick, dating from the 1600s, en route to the most Southerly tip of the Shetland Mainland. View the world’s best preserved 2,000 year old Iron Age Broch, on the Island of Mousa. Then cross 60 degrees North, enjoy the vista of St Ninian`s Isle, white sandy beaches, and possibly seals, from the cliff road. Travel through 5,000 years of Shetland history at Jarlshof. Refreshments are served in the Victorian Sumburgh Hotel. Then climb up towards Sumburgh Head RSPB Reserve, seabird colony (May – July) and Shetland`s first lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson in 1821.
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3 Hours Silver & Stone Vista
Meander through Lerwick, dating from the 1600s, en route to the Central & West Mainland. In Scalloway, the former Shetland capital visit Scalloway Castle, built in 1600 by the tyrant Earl Patrick Stewart and Scalloway Museum, which houses a special “Shetland Bus” exhibition. Leaving Scalloway, travel through the Tingwall Valley with its Norse heritage. A visit to Gott Ponies. Heading Northwards through peat and heather covered landscape and Shetland`s largest plantation of trees arrive at Shetland Jewellery. En route back to Lerwick, photograph one of the spectacular vistas of many of the islands that make up the Shetland archipelago.
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4 Hours 30 Minutes Flora, Fauna & Bird Vista
Meander through Lerwick, dating from the 1600s, then view the fertile limestone community of Fladdabister and the spectacular vista of wild flower meadows at Aithsetter. In Hoswick visit Laurence Odie Knitwear and the Hoswick Visitor Centre or wander along the peaceful foreshore. Travel South past Clumlie & Dalsetter for coastal vistas. Then climb up towards Sumburgh Head RSPB Reserve, for panoramic cliff vistas, seabird colony (May – July) and Shetland`s first lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson in 1821. Circle the RSPB reserve of Spiggie Loch and onwards, hugging the rugged Atlantic coast before joining the main road once again.
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4 Hours 30 Minutes Scenic Volcanic Vista
Head northwest through peat and heather covered landscape to Voe, with its Scandinavian influence, Brae, and Mavis Grind, where the North Sea almost meets the Atlantic Ocean. Northwards still, the scenery becoming more spectacular with every mile, viewing some of Shetlands aquaculture industry. Visit the Tangwick Haa Museum and take a cliff-top walk at the Eshaness Lighthouse where fire and ice of volcano and glacier have forged Shetland`s world famous geology. Enjoy the refreshments on offer in the Braewick Café. View the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal and Dales Leas, a glacial valley. Stop at Gott Ponies for some memorable photographs.
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4 Hours Mousa Broch Vista
Meander through Lerwick the only town in Shetland, passing the fertile limestone community of Fladdabister. Arriving at Sandwick, you will then board the purpose built, passenger ferry Solan IV. Cross to the Island of Mousa inhabited only by sheep and wildlife. There you will visit the world’s best preserved 2,000 year old Iron Age Broch, still standing to a height of 13m (43`). A brisk walk across the island, through a plethora of wild flowers will take you to a seal colony. Hear more of Shetland`s culture and heritage from your qualified local guide, on your return journey to Lerwick.
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1 Hour 30 Minutes - 2 Hours South Lerwick Walking Vista
We leave from Victoria Pier in the heart of Lerwick. A leisurely stroll takes in the award winning, recently restored Tolbooth, our unique Lodberries once used by the town merchants for the landing & storage of goods. Then on past various churches to the steep, narrow, intricate web of lanes to our Town Hall, where, on the first floor, you will find our history depicted in pictorial narrative through stained glass windows. Pass our theatre before entering Fort Charlotte, named after Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, which provides panoramic vistas across the harbour to the island of Bressay.
