Shetland Museum & Archives
sits on the restored historic Hay's Dock in Lerwick, providing a gateway from which to explore Shetland's rich heritage and culture
Shetland Wool Week: 22nd - 30th September 2018
Shetland Wool Week is a world renowned celebration of Britain's most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community on these islands. Since its conception nine years ago, Shetland Wool Week has grown into an internationally acclaimed event. This year there will be an extensive range of exhibitions, classes and events, which will cover many different subjects. These will include; weaving, spinning, dyeing, Fair Isle and lace knitting as well as many other fascinating subject areas.
Find Out MoreWelcome
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.
Visit Us
A warm welcome awaits you at Shetland Museum and Archives. Join us for a journey through Shetland’s past with our informative displays and interactive exhibits. Relax in Hay's Dock Cafe Restaurant and pick up a souvenir of your visit from the Gift Shop.
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 activitity 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.
Opening Times
Museum
Summer Opening Hours, to 30th September:
Monday to Saturday: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Sunday: 12.00pm to 5.00pm
Winter Opening Hours, 1st October - 28th April:
Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Monday and Sunday: Closed
Shetland Museum and Archives opening hours will be extended during WoolWeek, Up-Helly-Aa, Taste of Shetland Food Festival & SMUHA - Please see our website for updates.
Out of hours facility hire available by prior arrangement -
Tel: 01595 69 5057 Email: info@shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk
Archives
Summer Opening Hours, to 30th September:
Monday to Friday: 10.00am to 4.30pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Winter Opening Hours, 1st October - 28th April:
Monday: Open by Appointment
Tuesday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm
Saturday and Sunday Closed
Tel: 01595 741 554 Email: info@shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk
Hay’s Dock Café Restaurant
Summer Opening Hours, to 30th September:
Monday to Wednesday: 10.00am to 4.00pm (last orders 2.30pm for hot food)
Thursday to Saturday: 10.00am to 3.00pm (last orders 2.30pm for hot food) and 5.00pm to 11.00pm (last orders 8.30pm for hot foot)
Sunday: 12.00pm to 4.00pm (last orders 3.30pm for hot food)
Winter Opening Hours, 1st October - 28th April:
Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm (Hot service finishes at 3.00pm)
Crofthouse Museum
1st May to 30th September 2018, Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00am to 1.00pm (closed from 1.00pm - 2.00pm) and 2.00pm to 4.00pm
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.
Exhibition of traditional boats on Hay's Dock
11/08/2018
8:00am - 8:00pm
8:00am - 8:00pm
Stroll around the restored historic Hay's Dock and view a display of traditional Shetland model boats from private owners and the Shetland Museum's own collection.
Peerie Boat Photographic Display
11/08/2018
10:00am - 5:00pm
10:00am - 5:00pm
Visit the foyer area of Shetland Museum and Archives to view a selection of archive images from Shetland's maritime past. Copy images can be purchased individually or in a collection printed in a souvenir booklet availble in the gift shop.
Pier Store Maritime Display
11/08/2018
10:00am - 5:00pm
10:00am - 5:00pm
Step inside the restored Pier Store on Hay's Dock to see a range of maritime artefacts not normally on display. And find out more about the ongoing work of the Swan Trust.
Self Guided Tour of Hay's Dock
13/08/2018
10:00am - 5:00pm
10:00am - 5:00pm
Collect a guide sheet from Shetland Museum and Archives reception staff and take a self-guided tour of the historic Hay's Dock to learn about it's fascinating past.
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
ViewPortable Altars
28/06/2018 - 30/04/2019
Portable altars were marked with 5 crosses, depicting the wounds of Christ on the Cross. Some were made from wood with the relic cavity covered by a piece of recycled marble or porfido verde antico.
ViewGilly Bridle - Cutting Pictures
01/09/2018 - 30/09/2018
Gilly is a designer, illustrator and maker. She specialised in knitwear design as part of her BA in Textile Design from Manchester University. She then spent over 20 years fitting in her design and illustration work around raising a family and building a croft on the west coast island of Lismore.
ViewSimone Landwehr-Traxler - Spinning a Yarn - Fair Isle Banners
08/09/2018 - 12/10/2018
The banners are one aspect of ‘Spinning a Yarn’ which was a creative investigation of Fair Isle’s unique knitting patterns. This project started with a footnote stating that the eponymous patterns originated in Iberia having been passed to the islanders by shipwrecked Spanish Sailors in the 1580’s.
Latest News
Keep up to date with new stories and details of what our staff are doing to preserve and promote Shetland's heritage and culture .
ViewThe National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2018
04/05/2018
Five hundred years after the dazzling genius of Hans Holbein, a painting by one of the greatest portraitists of all time can now be seen in Shetland.
ViewHolbein Comes to Shetland
27/04/2018
The countdown has begun! We are delighted to say that today marks one week until the public opening of 'A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling' by Hans Holbein in Da Gadderie. This painting will be visiting us from 4th May until 15th July and is being loaned by the National Gallery as part of their Masterpiece Tour 2018.
Crofthouse Museum
Head down to the delightful setting of Dunrossness and step back in time as you enter the traditional 19th century thatched crofthouse.
Run by Shetland Museum and Archives, the Crofthouse Museum is open from 1st May - 30th September 2018. Opening times are from 10.00am - 1.00pm, (closed from 1.00pm - 2.00pm), and open again from 2.00pm - 4.00pm, Tuesday - Sunday.
Entry Fee: £3.50 (adult), £1.50 (child, 16 and under), £2.50 (per person, group tour).
Find Out More