UK & Ireland — Hebrides & Orkney

Lerwick / Bressay Sound

60°09.3'N 001°08.7'W · Lerwick (Shetland capital) (0nm)

5–12m

Depth

Good

Holding

90m

Alarm radius

Low

Crowd level

Lerwick is the capital and principal port of Shetland — the northernmost town in the British Isles, situated at 60°09'N on the sheltered Bressay Sound. For cruising yachts, Lerwick is the essential gateway to Shetland and the last significant provisioning stop before Norway (200nm east) or the Faroe Islands (170nm NW). The town is vibrant and surprisingly cosmopolitan — the Shetland Museum and Archives is one of the finest regional museums in Britain, the waterfront is lively, and the town has full facilities including chandlery, fuel, water and excellent provisioning. The Shetland island landscape — dramatic cliff scenery, treeless moorland, Norse place names and extraordinary wildlife (puffins at Sumburgh Head, orcas and minke whales offshore) — is unlike anywhere else in Britain. The famous Up Helly Aa fire festival in January marks the end of Yule and involves 1,000 costumed guizers carrying blazing torches to burn a replica Viking longship.

Best Months

JuneJulyAugust

Anchor Zones

Bressay Sound — main anchorage north of Small Dock

Good

5–12m · Alarm: 90m

Anchor in 5–10m (CD) in Bressay Sound, the sheltered channel between Lerwick on the Shetland Mainland and Bressay Island. Mud and sand — good holding throughout. Bressay Island provides complete protection from the east and the Mainland shore shelters from the west, making this one of the most fully sheltered anchorages in the British Isles. Tidal range approximately 1.5–2.0m springs (Shetland has the smallest tidal range in these 6 files). Tidal stream through the sound reaches 1–1.5 kt at springs — lie to tide rather than wind. Contact Lerwick Harbour on VHF Ch 12 for berth allocation. Active commercial port.

Victoria Pier visitor pontoon — marina option

Excellent

3–6m · Alarm: 75m

Visitor pontoon berths at Victoria Pier, Lerwick — complete shelter in the harbour, all facilities. Contact Lerwick Harbour Trust on VHF Ch 12 or by phone. Depth alongside approximately 3–5m (CD) at the visitor pontoon. Recommended for anything other than a short stop — the town is immediately adjacent.

Setting Your Anchor Alarm

90m radius in the sound. With Shetland's modest 1.5–2.0m tidal range, depth management is the least demanding of all 6 files. The exceptional all-round shelter of Bressay Sound means weather is rarely a concern inside the anchorage. The primary concerns are commercial and ferry traffic — NorthLink ferries (Aberdeen and Orkney) use the sound on fixed schedules; call Lerwick Harbour (VHF Ch 12) and monitor their movements.

Recommended radius: 90m

Hazards & Warnings

  • !NorthLink ferry schedule — large ro-ro ferries operate Aberdeen–Lerwick and Kirkwall–Lerwick services; call Lerwick Harbour (VHF Ch 12) and monitor their approach/departure times
  • !North Sea oil supply vessels — regular movements in and out of Lerwick for North Sea platform support; maintain VHF watch
  • !Rapid weather deterioration — Shetland is exposed to North Atlantic depressions from the NW; download 48-hour forecast before any offshore passage from Lerwick
  • !Tidal streams in Shetland sounds (Yell Sound, Bluemull Sound, Fair Isle Channel) reach 5–7 kt at springs — time passages of these areas at neaps or near slack water
  • !Fair Isle Channel (between Orkney and Shetland) — an exposed offshore passage of 25nm; only cross in settled conditions with an accurate weather forecast

Skipper's Tips

  • ✓Lerwick Harbour Trust is extremely helpful and accommodating to visiting yachts — call VHF Ch 12 on entry; they will direct you to a visitor berth or suitable anchorage
  • ✓Shetland Museum and Archives (Hay's Dock) is outstanding and free — the Norse heritage of Shetland, the history of the fishing industry, and the Up Helly Aa exhibition are all exceptional
  • ✓Sumburgh Head (30nm south of Lerwick) is one of Britain's most accessible puffin colonies — visible from the lighthouse car park in summer; accessible by bus or taxi
  • ✓Stock up thoroughly at Lerwick before heading anywhere in Shetland — it is the only town with full provisions, fuel and chandlery; the outer islands have minimal facilities
  • ✓The wildlife offshore from Shetland is extraordinary — orcas visit regularly in summer (follow local whale-watch groups on social media for recent sightings), and minke whales and harbour porpoises are common

Facilities

WaterFuelRestaurantProvisionsWiFi

Anchoring Rules

Permit:
Not required
Fee:
Free to anchor. Visitor pontoon berths: contact Lerwick Harbour Trust VHF Ch 12. Charges approx. £20–30/night (2025 rates).
Restrictions:
All vessels must contact Lerwick Harbour on VHF Ch 12 before entry. NorthLink ferries (Aberdeen and Kirkwall services) use the south entrance to the sound — their schedule is fixed; avoid crossing their approach. Active commercial port with supply ships for the North Sea oil industry. Keep clear of the ferry berth and commercial dock.

Sleep Safely at Lerwick / Bressay Sound

Set your anchor alarm to 90m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.

Download Safe Anchor Alarm — Free
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