Lerwick War Time Walking Tours

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Lerwick's Wartime Harbour

  • Walking 2 Hours. Difficulty: Easy.
£50 per person.

The harbour of Lerwick has always been crucial to the growth of the island capital through peace and war.  Explore key locations in the Shetland capital of Lerwick that were important during both wars, including connected important wartime buildings,  maritime activity, and camps.  Obtain a real feel of how the harbour in Lerwick was so crucial to the wider defence of Shetland, as well as the wider vital role the sea-scape contributed to the British war effort during both wars.  Discover more about the activity in and around Lerwick harbour during the war, including stories of wartime activity in and out of the harbour entrances and its defences. 

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Shetland Companies, Gordon Highlanders, march along Esplanade to Victoria Pier for embarkation on troopship Cambria, 13th June, 1915.  (SM00064. Shetland Museum and Archives).

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Shetland Territorials: From Lerwick to the Western Front

  • Walking 2 Hours. Difficulty: Easy
£50 per person.

Come on a journey through history, walking in the footsteps of Shetland's own "Pals Battalion" during the Great War. Trace their story in both Lerwick and Scalloway, taking in key locations where they trained, their preparation for war, and their departure from Lerwick.  Step back in time to go through the moving story of their experience and loss on the Western Front,  and hear the evocative and forever important story of how this impacted on Lerwick. Visit some of the streets and houses where some of this special generation stayed, and also where they are commemorated on the Shetland War Memorial. 

This moving tour will also develop the narrative of how the local Territorials were called upon to serve their country again between 1939-45. Once more, they had to leave their native islands and saw service in campaigns abroad.  

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Brigadier Cunningham [left], with Major and Mrs. Beer. Shetland Defence Headquarters. Lerwick. (© IWM H 9006).

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Blackouts, Bunkers, Beer and Yarns in Wartime Lerwick

  • Walking 2 Hours. Difficulty: Easy
£50 per person.

Bringing the past to life, come and enjoy a walk around Lerwick as we share some stories remembering those who served in both wars, and some wider wartime chat and reflection. This includes tales of what Lerwick was like during both conflicts, and tales of lives remembered. Reliving some local hidden histories, come and live in the wartime past.   Hear the tales of wartime arrests, explosions, blackouts, crime, social excitement and much more.  Enjoy a pause for reflections and refreshments at a local café-bar.

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Guarding Lerwick and Wartime Defence Lines

  • Walking 2-3 Hours. Difficulty: Moderate.
£50 per person.

With the invasion of Norway in April 1940, the threat of a German invasion of Shetland was very real. With growing concern that Shetland may be used as a stepping stone to the base of the Home Fleet in Orkney and mainland Britain, the islands experienced an increase in troops stationed here. Explore and experience the defences which guarded the west of Lerwick.  Walk in the footsteps of the past by visiting bunkers, anti-tank defensive positions and machine gun posts, whilst enjoying stunning views of the Shetland capital.  Uncover the various camps which guarded the streets of Lerwick and learn, via declassified records, how they were to protect the town should the islands be invaded.  Despite development around Lerwick, many structures still exist.  Learn about these hidden gems while also viewing key gun batteries, and tales of air raids. 

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Lerwick Knab: Echoes of War and Remembrance

  • Walking 2.5 Hours. Difficulty: Easy.
£50 per person.

During both wars, the Knab area of Lerwick was vital, 
providing a broad view of the south entrance to the harbour.  Explore defensive structures that guarded the harbour here during both wars. Learn about the important military camps, wartime buildings and structures that existed in this area during World War Two.  Finish with some inspiring personal stories of sacrifice, courage, resilience and duty of over 119 military personnel from both wars who are buried in the nearby Lerwick Commonwealth War Graves Commission burials. Discover how war impacted our local shores in both wars via inspirational tales of heroism, including action in the Northern War, and two local Victoria Cross-related stories. The Tour may also accommodate an Act of Remembrance.

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Courage Across the North Sea: Lerwick and Norway in WW2

  • Walking 2 Hours. Difficulty: Easy.
£50 per person.

The Shetland Bus story is well known in relation to the island experience of WW2. Go on a journey through different aspects of the Norwegian connection to Lerwick. Take in the footsteps of refugees who started to arrive in Shetland in 1940,  and how this was managed locally.  Visit locations in the island capital connected to this story, and obtain an understanding of the Norwegian wartime link to Lerwick. Also learn about Norwegian Motor Torpedo Boats that arrived in Lerwick in 1942, and subsequent operations and raids in Norway. Finally, time can be spent at Lerwick cemetery, reflecting on a few Norwegian-linked casualties from both WW1 and WW2. The wider context of the Shetland Bus will be included. Overall, this tour will provide a perfect accompaniment for a wider Shetland visit, exploring the story of the Shetland Bus.

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Bressay: Guardian of Lerwick Harbour

  • Walking 4 Hours. Difficulty: Demanding.
£70 per person.

Go across on the ferry to the island of Bressay to experience and explore the vital defence of Lerwick harbour during both wars. Within easy reach of the Shetland capital of Lerwick, Bressay included many important defence facets including Naval guns during World War One that protected the entrances to the harbour and a naval lookout. During World War Two, further defence structures were put in place, including anti-aircraft batteries,  camps and wartime support and protection for Lerwick harbour. This flexible tour will allow you to immerse yourself in the sites and stories brought to life.  At the same time, you can enjoy stunning views in all directions across to Lerwick and Shetland.  Tour the Bressay Heritage Centre, which also contains fascinating wartime heritage and local in-house experts and displays.  *Ferry fare included in tour.

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Footsteps of the Fallen: Lerwick's First World War Trail

  • Walking 2 Hours. Difficulty: Easy.
£50 per person.

Starting at the Shetland War Memorial, this tour will take you through some wartime stories by stepping back in time in the streets of Lerwick.  You will hear the stories behind some of those from the island capital who served in both wars, where some lived and worked, and experience a thought-provoking journey back to what Lerwick was like during World War One.   The tour will also pass the home of Thomas Manson, who compiled the Shetland Roll of Honour and Service via The Shetland News publication. It will finish at Lerwick Cemetery, and visit the historic section of the cemetery linked to these stories.  You will also discover the graveside of Shetland historian, poet and novelist,  J. J. Haldane Burgess, who wrote the verse 'Shetland Heroes' in memory of those who were lost during the Great War, and who also played a significant part in creating the modern Up-Helly-Aa festival. 

Please note: this Tour can be adapted and tailored to incorporate a focus on the Second World War.

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Army lorries and soldiers on Commercial Street.  (AI00417. Shetland Museum and Archives).

People-Centered Wartime Walking Tours

Each tour will be delivered with respect, dignity and understanding, ensuring that the stories of those who served, endured, and lost their lives are told with the sensitivity and remembrance they deserve. 

Be assured that you will follow a route throughout Lerwick at a pace that suits you, with the time set.  Also, the themes of the various set tours can be combined to suit your requirements. 

If you have mobility challenges, the walking tour route can be adapted to suit your needs.

You can bring your own refreshments to enjoy on each walking tour at a suitable location as time and weather permit.  Also, I can easily stop at a nearby location for refreshments if this would suit you.

There will be locations throughout each walking route where we can pause for toilet facilities as required.

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