Lerwick

united kingdom

Lerwick perches on Mainland's eastern coast as the Shetlands' only proper town and administrative heart. Reached by overnight ferry from Aberdeen or flights via Tingwall Airport (10km southwest), it's the starting point for exploring the archipelago. The A970 runs through town as the main north-south artery, with single-track roads branching off to remote coastal areas. Commercial Street's distinctive flagstone paving was originally ship's ballast from the wool trade.