8 
On the 25th at noon, we cast anchor 
in Bressay Sound, opposite to Lerwick, 
the capital of the Shetland Isles. 
This town is situated in Mainland, so 
called from its being the principal of 
these Isles. It is about half a mile long, 
and is irregularly built; but contains 
some good houses, and is inhabited by 
about one thousand eight hundred per¬ 
sons. It is the seat of their courts held 
by the SherifF-depute, or Steward-de- 
pute. 
Two packets, or traders, having good 
cabins, and tolerable accommodation for 
passengers, sail occasionally between this 
and Leith. 
Lerwick derives its chief support from 
the courts of law, and from the vessels 
employed in the whale-fishery making 
this harbour their rendezvous. 
Near the north end of the town 
stands Fort Charlotte, a small fortifica¬ 
tion mounting eighteen large guns, from 
