Shetland Islands (Lerwick), Scotland

Lerwick & the Up Helly Aa

Take a Step Back in Time to Explore Lerwick’s Viking History Take a walking tour through the colorful and cosmopolitan history of Lerwick. Hear lively tales of Lerwick’s growth, merchant trading, shipping fleets and smugglers. From Victoria Pier, view the Old Tollbooth from 1770 and the Lodberries, houses and warehouses sitting on their own piers so that goods could be loaded and unloaded directly from the boats during the time when Lerwick was Northern Europe’s premier herring town. Continue along Commercial Street to Fort Charlotte, pausing to admire the views. Visit the Up Helly Aa Exhibition to see a replica Viking galley and an exhibit on the famous fire festival—where every last Tuesday of January, the darkened streets of Lerwick provide a background for a long torchlit procession. Then, head to the Shetland Museum and enjoy free time to discover more about the islands’ heritage and culture. * Demanding - Physically challenging activities, including extensive walks, hiking, riding, water sports, and high altitude activities. Activities by foot may contain difficult, unpaved surfaces and/or multiple stairs and steep inclines. Total time walking or standing may exceed 3 hours.