Some say the best way to explore a new destination is on foot. This lovely tour is geared to do just that and will take you around some of Lerwick's landmarks. Lerwick, the capital and administrative center of Shetland, only dates from the 17th century and slowly grew along the waterfront where merchants built their lodberries - piers where goods could be unloaded directly into warehouses.
Your walk commences at Victoria Pier in the heart of Lerwick, opposite the Market Cross. It's a leisurely stroll to the award-winning recently restored Tolbooth, now headquarters of Lerwick's lifeboat station. From here, you'll pass the unique lodberries, once used by the town merchants for the loading and storage of goods. Climbing uphill, you will see a traditional method of recycling in Shetland where an upturned former ferry is now the roof of a garage.
It's on past various churches to the steep, narrow, intricate web of lanes that bring you to Town Hall, built in 1862. A visit here has you discovering Shetland's history as depicted through stained glass windows in a pictorial narrative.
Your final tour stop visits Fort Charlotte, named after Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. While the Fort never saw action; it housed a garrison throughout the Napoleonic Wars and was later a base for the Royal Navy Reserve in Shetland. It also served as the town jail and a courthouse from 1837-1875, later becoming a custom house and a coast guard station.
At the conclusion of your walking tour, you will have the option of staying in town to further explore on your own and browse the local shops for crafts and knitwear.
Please note: This tour includes 2 hours of considerable walking, at times traveling over uneven surfaces and steep uphill; there are approximately 45 steps to be negotiated. The tour is not available to wheelchair guests or those guests with mobility concerns. Weather appropriate clothing and sturdy flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Guests should be prepared for the possibility of rain. The order of sites visited may vary.