RyG's Cruise Guide
Please Like Us On Facebook!
  • Home
  • Cruise Tips
  • Cruise Resources
    • Cruise Schedules
    • Carnival Drydock Schedule
    • Carnival Cruise Director Schedule
    • Carnival Dive In Movies Schedule
    • Galveston Cruises
    • General Cruise Blog
    • Cruise Ship Webcams
    • Just For Fun
  • Carnival Cruise Food
  • My Cruise Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact
Caribbean Princess 16 Day Transatlantic Cruise Review
Day 4       Lerwick, Shetland Islands                  Arrival:   7:00AM            Departure:   5:00PM     
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!

​Arrival:  After a short passage from Norway across the North Sea, we arrived at Lerwick, Shetland Islands, in the early, misty morning. The ship anchored off shore and the tenders were made ready to ferry passengers to shore. We had set our clocks back the night before, so it wasn’t too difficult to get up and be ready for our early morning excursion.
An early, misty arrival in LerwickAn early, misty arrival in Lerwick

Had to tender to shore
Had to tender to shore
Welcome to Shetland
The Shetlands are the most northerly part of Scotland
​History:  The Shetland Islands are the most northerly part of the British Isles. There are over 100 islands that make up the Shetlands, but only 12 are inhabited.  Mainland is the largest island and its capital is Lerwick located along its eastern shore. The island is very narrow and no point on the island is more than three miles from salt water. Fishing has always been the way of life for the islanders although in recent years North Sea oil has become a secondary income. Artifacts have been found from the Bronze and Iron Ages and Viking longhouses from the 9th century. Several “broch”, a fortified tower-farmhouse peculiar to Scotland, may date back as early as 400B.C. The Shetlands became a part of Scotland in the 15th century. Mary Queen of Scots sent her half-brother Robert Stewart there as governor and he built Scalloway Castle in 1600. The town of Lerwick was founded by Dutch herring fishermen in the 17th century and later became the capital.

​Excursions:  We met in the Princess Theater to be escorted to the tenders.  The morning mist had lifted and it was a beautiful, sunny day. We toured the western side of Mainland by a scenic drive through the countryside to Scalloway Castle ruins which we were able to tour.  Although the Scalloway Museum was just  next door to the castle and entrance to the museum was included in our excursion, I wished I had allowed myself more time to really look at all of the wonderful displays and exhibits in the museum. What a treasure trove of history!  We continued our drive through the country side with peat and heather-covered moors and the Tingwall Valley with views of farmland, small lochs and streams. Along the way we were able to spot some Shetland ponies that were grazing in a field very near the road. 
Scalloway Castle
Scalloway Castle - built in 1600 by the much hated and very cruel Patrick Stewart. After he was executed for treason, the castle was abandoned and allowed to fall apart.
Scalloway Castle
Scalloway Castle
What the castle used to look like
What the castle used to look like
What it looks like today
What it looks like today
Interior of castle
Interior of castle
Fireplace
Fireplace
One of many windows in castle
One of many windows in castle
Very steep stairs in castle
Very steep stairs in castle
Original stone floor of castle very difficult to walk on
Original stone floor of castle very difficult to walk on
Museum was located very near castle
Museum was located very near castle
Toured western Mainland, the largest Shetland Island
Toured western Mainland, the largest Shetland Island
Stone house with sheep in field
Old Church and Cemetary
Old church and cemetery
Field of Peat
Picture
Picturesque countryside
Heather covered moor
Heather covered moor
Picturesque countryside
Picturesque countryside
Picturesque countryside
Picturesque countryside
Picturesque countryside
Picturesque countryside
Shetland ponies
Shetland ponies
Small loch
Small loch
Scenic view
Scenic view
Scenic view
Scenic view
Scenic view
Scenic view
​Self-touring:  Back in Lerwick, we started on our own walking tour. First stop was a place to eat. We found a small bakery which had sandwiches and quiche on its menu along with some very enticing baked goodies. After lunch, we continued on our walk up a hill to Fort Charlotte. The fort was built in 1665 by order of Charles II. The fort overlooks the harbor and the surrounding town.   Continuing our walk from the fort toward town, we passed Town Hall which was built in 1862 and features a series of stained glass windows that depict Shetland history. We also passed by the town’s library and a lovely old church.  In the town centre were many specialty shops, something for everyone. We enjoyed exploring the narrow, winding streets before we headed for the tender and a return to the ship.
Lerwick was founded by Dutch fishermen in the 17th century and is the capital of Mainland
Lerwick was founded by Dutch fishermen in the 17th century and is the capital of Mainland
Back in Lerwick we started our walking tour.
Back in Lerwick we started our walking tour.
We found a great place for lunch
We found a great place for lunch.
Walked up the hill to Ft.Charlotte
Walked up the hill to Ft.Charlotte
Canon defended the harbor
Canon defended the harbor
Ft. Charlotte was built in 1665 by order of Charles II
Ft. Charlotte was built in 1665 by order of Charles II
View of harbor from Ft. Charlotte
View of harbor from Ft. Charlotte
View from Ft. Charlotte with Town Hall in background
View from Ft. Charlotte with Town Hall in background
Town Hall
Town Hall
Library
Library
Church
Church
 shopping areas
Shopping Areas
Walking through Lerwick
Walking through Lerwick
Lighthouse seen as we were sailing from Shetland Islands
Lighthouse seen as we were sailing from Shetland Islands
​Dinner:  As usual we were ready for an early dinner and, as usual, it was delicious.  Tonight I ordered scallops which were tender and cooked to perfection. An extra special chocolate dessert was on the menu, too.
Appetizer
Appetizer
Appetizer
Appetizer
Cold Soup
Cold Soup
Entree Selection
Entree Selection
Scallops
Scallops
Dessert
Dessert
​Evening Entertainment:  We usually try to make the first show in the Princess Theater, but tonight we were a little later getting to the theater and it was already packed.  So we watched a German couple perform in the Piazza.  I’m so glad we didn’t miss these two very talented acrobats who wowed us with their agility and strength. We were then able to catch the late show with the mentalist in the theater. Another very interesting and fun day
Please Like RyG's Cruise Guide On Facebook!  
 Click Here For Our Facebook Page
I will be sharing review updates, cruise tips, and more!  
You can also like us using this button provided by Facebook:
Continue To The Next Part:  Day 5
Click Here For Day 5

Home        About Us        Contact Us        Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

www.embarkandaway.com     Thank you for visiting RyG's Cruise Guide!
RyG's Cruise Guide is not affiliated with any cruise line or travel organization. Any information is subject to change at any time given that the cruise industry is always changing. Due to the Covid pandemic, crew staffing shortages, and supply chain issues information could change without updates being made here. I always recommend checking with your cruise line for the latest information related to onboard amenities and Covid protocols. 

Connect With Us!