Lerwick (/ˈlɛrɪk/ or /ˈlɜːrwɪk/; Old Norse: Leirvik; Norn: Larvik) is the main town and port of the Shetland archipelago, Scotland.

[n 1] One of the UK's coastal weather stations is situated there, with the local climate having small seasonal variation due to the maritime influence.

Being located further north than Saint Petersburg and three of the four mainland Nordic capitals, and on the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska, Lerwick's nights in the middle of summer only get dark twilight and winters have below six hours of complete daylight.

Towns with similar names exist in southwestern Norway (Leirvik, Lervik) and on the Faroe Islands (Leirvík).

Its collection of wooden huts was burned to the ground twice: once in the 17th century by the residents of Scalloway on the western side of Mainland, then the capital of Shetland, who disapproved of the immoral and drunken activities of the assembled fishermen and sailors; again in 1702 by the French fleet.

The principal concentration of buildings was in the "lanes" area: a steep hillside stretching from the shoreline to Hillhead at the top.

The lack of trees is mostly due to man clearing the islands for grazing and agriculture thousands of years ago.

Temperatures are likely to be slightly milder in the town centre at sea level, as the weather station is at an elevation of 82 metres (269 ft).

The maritime influence tempers the climate effects of these swings in daylight, but in many areas of the world this latitude has hostile winters.

Farther north in the world, only the Faroe Islands and a few places in Norway like Kinn have such high January averages as Lerwick and fellow Shetland station at Baltasound – with the warm Atlantic currents preventing ice formation.

[33] The Shetland Islands Council operate a ro-ro ferry service to Out Skerries and Bressay from a terminal in the centre of the town.

[40] The Clickimin Leisure Complex provides sports facilities for the town such as a swimming pool and open court.

[43] Millgaet Media Group, a multi-media production company, is based at the North Ness Business Park.

[45] Lerwick is the focus of most events in Shetland, including the largest of the annual Up Helly Aa fire festivals which takes place on the last Tuesday of January every year.

[52] While there is not currently a Muslim place of worship in Lerwick, there are plans to refurbish the old Lochside Stores building into a mosque.