Lerwick

Founded by Dutch fishermen in the 17th century, Lerwick today is a busy town and administrative center. Handsome stone buildings—known as lodberries—line the old harbor; they provided loading bays for goods, some of them illegal. The town's twisting flagstone lanes once heaved with activity, and Lerwick is still an active port today. This is also where most visitors to Shetland dock, spilling out of cruise ships to walk around the town.