Old Photographs Lerwick Shetland Islands Scotland

Old photograph of Lerwick, on the Shetland Islands, Scotland. Lerwick is a name with roots in Old Norse and its local descendant, Norn, which was spoken in Shetland until the mid 19th century. The name "Lerwick" means bay of clay. The corresponding Norwegian name is Leirvik, leir meaning clay and vik meaning " bay " or " inlet ". Towns with similar names exist in south western Norway (Leirvik) and on the Faroe Islands as well. Evidence of human settlement in the Lerwick area dates back 3,000 years, centred around the Broch of Clickimin, which was constructed in the first century BC.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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