a seaport town, capital of the Shetland Islands, is situate on Bressay Sound, on the E. side of the mainland. It has a very irregular appearance, consisting chiefly of a number of rather poorly built houses, of from two to three storeys in height, disposed along the winding margin of the bay. Considerable improvements have, however, been recently made, and it now contains many good shops and substantial dwelling-houses. The only public buildings are the parish church, a free church, and two dissenting chapels. The fort was built in 1665 to protect the fisheries, and repaired in 1781, when it was named Fort Charlotte. Its bastions have 12 embrasures; and it is now in charge of one or two artillerymen. It has no manufactures of any extent. The harbour is very spacious, and is entirely landlocked by Bressay Island. The import and export trade is considerable. The number of vessels registered at the port on 31st December 1855 was 52, having an aggregate burden of 1581 tons. During 1855, 162 vessels, of 19,402 tons, entered; and 143 vessels, of 18,285 tons, left the port. The chief exports are fish, butter, hides, rabbit skins, and stockings. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the fisheries.