Shetland Museum & Archives
Drop in and visit us at the Shetland Museum and Archives. We look forward to welcoming you back.
Museum Closed - Wednesday 20 November 2024
Shetland Museum and Archives will be closed today due to poor road conditions and continued snowfall.Take care everyone.
Can you help us identify the last unknown person photographed in Chris Morphet’s Allover Exhibition?
We would love to be able to find the name of the lady standing in front of a peat stack and complete our search before the exhibition closes on 29th December 2024
Watch video to find out more
ALLOVER | Chris Morphet Exhibition
An exhibition that captures the spirit of pre-oil Shetland through Fair Isle knitwear photography.
Featuring the iconic photographs of Chris Morphet taken during his visit to Shetland in June 1970.
Running until 29 December 2024 in Da Gadderie
Photo by Chris Morphet/Redferns/Getty Images.
Find out more...Welcome to Shetland Museum and Archives
Our 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.
Visit Us
Shetland Museum & Archives is open. Drop in and visit us, no booking is necessary.
Collections
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.
Education & Research
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.
Online Resources
Access document and photo archives online, or download a choice of teaching resources, or visitor activity sheets.
Community Heritage
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.
Venue & Event Hire
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.
Crofthouse Museum
Step back in time as you enter the traditional 19th century thatched crofthouse.
Find Out More
Events
Events and activities during your visit
Shetland 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.
ViewWinter Straw Club 2024 - SOLD OUT
Join us for a winter of straw making to conserve this critically endangered ...
ViewPre-School Sensory Activity Sessions
Every Friday join us for our pre-school and sensory activity sessions in the ...
ViewShetland Museum Socials - drop-in
Come along to our informal Shetland Museum Socials running fortnightly on ...
ViewSkekler Social - SOLD OUT
As the winter nights draw in, this time of year would traditionally have been ...
Exhibitions
Displays, Exhibitions and Gadderie Shows
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.
Current
ViewChris Morphet, ALLOVER
Chris Morphet is a freelance, world famous videographer and photographer who ...
Latest Blog Posts
Keep up to date with new stories and details of what our researchers are doing to preserve and promote Shetland's heritage and culture.
Can you help us identify the last unknown person photographed in Chris Morphet’s Allover Exhibition?
We would love to be able to find the name of the lady standing in front of a peat stack and complete our search before the exhibition ...
Read more
Explore Thomas Irvine's sheep book on our online archive catalogue. Woollies - this is one for you!
Wool Week is upon us, posters have been printed, the annuals (thousands) are being packed and sent off, and visitors (a lot) have ...
Read more
The Crafts of Foragers - new display
Shetland Museum and Archives is proud to announce a new display, The Crafts of Foragers, offering a captivating glimpse into Shetland's rich tradition of basket and rope-making using locally foraged plants. The exhibit, now open to the public, includes a small collection of Shetland baskets, highlighting the wide range of native plants historically used to create everyday items essential for life on the islands.
Find Out More