Understanding Scottish Places

Lerwick, Shetland Islands

Population 6,709

View Lerwick on map

Lerwick is the capital of the Shetland Isles. Only since the 17th century has Lerwick been Scottish with Norse and Dutch occupying the town previously. It developed as a fishing and whaling town. It was a maritime base in wartime. Oil developments in Shetland have resulted in an expansion of traffic through Lerwick, increased administrative and industrial employment and an expansion of the town. Traditional Shetland products such as lamb and wool (Jamiesons Wool Broker)are still important.

In this medium town, population includes older people, some still in work often in less well paid sectors. It also includes a significant inactive population, some in poorer health. There is a higher proportion of single households and car ownership is lower.

Lerwick is an independent town.

Its most similar towns are Castle Douglas, Kelso, Kirkcudbright, and Kirkwall.

To gain more insight into Lerwick, compare it to any of the other towns included in USP.

Inter-relationships

Dependent
Interdependent
Independent

Number of jobs

6
Type average 5

Diversity of jobs

4
Type average 3

Distance travelled to work

6
Type average 4

Number of public sector jobs

2
Type average 3

Number of hospitals

2
Type average 3

Number of GP's and dentists

6
Type average 5

Number of children in primary schools

-2
Type average 3

Number of children in secondary schools

4
Type average 3

Distance travelled to study

6
Type average 5

Number of shops

6
Type average 6

Diversity of retail offer

4
Type average 3

Number of charities

Type average 6
Dependent
Interdependent
Independent

Change

Public

Education (% all people aged 16 and over)

  No education Standard grade or equivalent Higher grade or equivalent HNC, HND, SVQ4 Degree or higher degree
Lerwick 15.81650726 20.77577046 10.83953241 24.56606447 28.0021254

Commercial

Distance travelled to study

  At home Up to 5km 5 to 10km 10 to 30km 30km and over
Lerwick 2.1165598449843492 12.445968102548814 0.327917722462364 0.5514979877776122 1.2222387837233566

Connectivity and environment assets

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Footnotes