Shetland Isles Museums & Culture

Shetland Museum & Archives

The recently opened Shetland Museum is the centre for Shetland heritage and culture. Officially opened by the Prince of Wales and Queen Sonja of Norway and costing 10 million pounds, it's an important, state-of-the-art contemporary museum that is a delight to visit. It aims to fulfil the long awaited need to showcase Shetland's varied culture and it certainly manages to do that in an interesting and captivating way. It's not just the exhibits that detail Shetland's heritage, the whole design of the building exudes Shetlandness from the reception desk built from a 19th century keel discovered buried in the mud in Hay's Dock to the variety of reclaimed flagstones reflecting the geology of the islands and the locally made wrought iron handles and fixtures.

Through twelve themed zones exhibits and artefacts together tell the story of the Shetland Islands from its creation and geology, human habitation from 5000 BC right through Pictish, Viking and medieval periods to the present day. Themes include Environment, Early People, Customs and Folklore, Home and Land, Food from the Sea, Boats, Shetland and the World and Trade and Industry. Exhibits have been artistically placed so that iconic artefacts introduce the visitor to a particular period of Shetland history. The lower floor has been designed around a wheelhouse design like the old Neolithic houses that have been discovered at Jarlshof. Traditional boats are well displayed by being hung from the ceiling in the timber-clad building at the end.

The Museum provides locals with a museum and educational resource to be proud of and many of the artefacts have been donated by locals. It is also a fantastic hub from which visitors can be introduced to Shetland and inform their onward travels. The Archives section should be a valuable resource for anyone researching Shetland Isles genealogy or history. It also has a comprehensive photographic archive containing over 60,000 images of all aspects of Shetland life. Shetland Museum and Archives is situated on the recently refurbished Hay's Dock, the last remaining original dock on the Lerwick Waterfront; three miles north of Sumburgh and 22 miles south of Lerwick on the A970. Shetland Museum and Archives, Hay's Dock, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0WP. Tel: 01595 695057. Fax: 01595 696729. Email: info@shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk.

The museum also offers a programme of events including films, talks and lectures, art exhibitions, workshops, storytelling and music evenings. Events include a range specifically aimed at children. There is a gift shop and contemporary cafe on the site serving local produce. Wheelchair access is available throughout the museum with lifts to all floors. An induction loop is in the auditorium.

Shetland Crofting Museums

To gain more of an insight into traditional Shetland life visit the Bod of Gremista and the Shetland Crofthouse Museum. The Bod of Gremista has been acquired by Shetland Museums Service and is an 18th century booth that was the birthplace of Arthur Anderson the co-founder of P&O Ferries. The Bod is furnished in basic Shetland style and would have provided family accommodation and store for fish drying. The Bod is at the north end of Lerwick, past the power station and has a large car park.

Bod of Gremista opening times: 1 May to 30 September, Wednesdays to Sundays 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Admission is free but donations are welcomed. Wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor and car access is available to the front of the building. Ring the custodian to arrange on Tel: 01595 694386 or 01595 695057.

Shetland Crofthouse Museum is a 19th century thatched crofthouse that has been restored using traditional materials. It shows how crofters who relied heavily on the sea for survival would have lived and how the buildings evolved to cope with the local harsh conditions.

The Crofthouse Museum is in South Mainland approximately 3 miles from Sumburgh. Admission is free but donations for its upkeep are welcomed. Check the weblink right for more information.