Shetland Museum & Archives
Drop in and visit us at the Shetland Museum and Archives. We look forward to welcoming you back.
This year our Easter Holiday activities have an arctic theme to tie in with our current Polar North exhibition in Da Gadderie.
We have art and craft workshops for both Primary and Secondary ages where bairns can get creative while learning more about the links between Shetland and polar regions.
Browse our events and bookThursday 21st March | 7pm - 9pm
Evening talk: Aboot da Nicht - Shetlandic and Nordic Folklore about Darkness and Sleep, with our curator of textiles, Carol Christiansen: Book here
On display now and running until Sunday 26th May 2024
in Da Gadderie, Shetland Museum and Archives
A new publication, ‘Shetland Fine Lace Knitting – Recreating patterns from the past’ by Shetland Museum’s textiles curator, ...
Read moreTo celebrate International Women’s Day 2024 we shine a light on Ann Harriet Pottinger, née Hunter, one of many unsung, hard-working ...
Read moreJoin us as we host a series of evening talks which delve into Shetland’s fascinating heritage. What's coming up:
21st March | 7pm - 9pm
Aboot da Nicht - Shetlandic and Nordic Folklore about Darkness and Sleep
25th April | 7pm - 9pm
Arctic Connections - Shetland Museum & Archives Highlights from the 2024 St Magnus Conference
A beautiful new publication celebrating Vagaland’s finest poetry has been launched by Shetland Amenity Trust.
Thomas Alexander Robertson, who wrote under the pen name Vagaland, is one of Shetland’s best-loved poets. Last published in book form in 1975, Robertson’s poetry has become increasingly unavailable. This new publication coincides with the 50 year anniversary of his death and includes a selection of 30 of his greatest poems, and a glossary.
‘Love in Human Herts’ is available to purchase online and from the Museum shop.
Order your copyOur Five Star, award winning Museum and Archives is a multifunctional visitor attraction in the heart of Shetland's capital town of Lerwick. Begin your journey through the history of our beautiful islands here, with an enjoyable and interactive visitor experience discovering our world renowned collections. The Museum and Archives is managed by the Shetland Amenity Trust, a small charity caring for Shetland's natural and cultural heritage.
Fundraising for defibrillator
We are currently fundraising for an external defibrillator unit to be fitted at the Shetland Museum & Archives. Follow the link to find out more and to donate.
Shetland Museum & Archives is open. Drop in and visit us, no booking is necessary.
Visitors and researchers can explore the fascinating story of Shetland’s heritage and culture in one place, with access to a wealth of documents and artefacts covering all aspects of the islands' past at Shetland Museum and Archives.
Shetland Museum and Archives offers a comprehensive education programme, with access to workshops focussing on different areas of our collections, and outreach sessions in the community.
Access document and photo archives online, or download a choice of teaching resources, or visitor activity sheets.
Shetland’s heritage is researched, collected and exhibited throughout the islands by a network of local museums and heritage centres. Each museum and heritage centre in Shetland is unique, highlighting the various and changing aspects of natural and cultural heritage in each area.
Shetland Museum and Archives offers first class venue facilities for hire in a stunning dockside location. From conferences and meetings, to weddings or birthday parties, our versatile spaces are suitable for any event.
Step back in time as you enter the traditional 19th century thatched crofthouse.
Find Out MoreShetland Museum and Archives are proud to offer a range of events for adults, children and famlies, covering a variety of themes throughout the year. Our own events are detailed below, or see the 'What's On' Calendar for all public events and exhibition listings for the building.
Come along to our informal Shetland Museum Socials running fortnightly on ...
Join Carol Christiansen to explore pre-modern beliefs in the vulnerability of ...
Join us for our Easter Activity Day! Suitable for peerie ones up to age 12.
Join us at the Shetland Museum & Archives for a unique and creative workshop ...
There are a number of exhibition spaces and feature display areas throughout the Museum and Archives building. The artefacts and works on display change regularly and details of our current shows are listed here.
An exhibition by Scottish contemporary artist Lesley Burr inspired during her ...
An exhibition highlighting the part Shetland played in the trade of Northern ...
As part of the BBC's 'Extraordinary Portraits', UK artist Stuart Pearson Wright ...
In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tanzing Norgay became the first humans to summit ...
Keep up to date with new stories and details of what our researchers are doing to preserve and promote Shetland's heritage and culture.
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024 we shine a light on Ann Harriet Pottinger, née Hunter, one of many unsung, hard-working ...
Read moreA new publication, ‘Shetland Fine Lace Knitting – Recreating patterns from the past’ by Shetland Museum’s textiles curator, ...
Read moreThe Shetland Crofthouse Museum has now closed for the 2023 season, reopening in May 2024.
Find Out More