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
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.
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
| Monday to Saturday: 10.00am to 5.00pm |
| Sunday: 12.00pm to 5.00pm |
Archives
| Monday to Friday: 10.00am to 4.30pm |
| Saturday and Sunday: Closed |
Hay’s Dock Café Restaurant
| Monday: 10.00am to 5.00pm |
| Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00am to 9.00pm (last orders) |
| Sunday: 12.00pm to 5.00pm |
Crofthouse Museum
| 1st May to 30th September, Daily: 10.00am to 1.00pm 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.
ViewClassical Viola Concert by Nora Taksdals
23/06/2017 2:00pm
Classical Viola Concert by Nora Taksdals principal violist, The Norwegian Radio Orchestra
ViewA Social Life of Peat
24/06/2017
10:00am - 4:00pm
10:00am - 4:00pm
Ethnographic drawing workshops with artist, Bernice Carrington.
ViewSpectacular Sea Creatures P1-3
03/07/2017 - 10/07/2017
Bairns workshop for P1-3. Come along to find out about some of the amazing sea life that is around our shores.
ViewSpectacular Sea Creatures P4-7
03/07/2017
2:00pm - 3:00pm
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Bairns workshop for P4-7 as part of Shetland Nature Festival.
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
ViewPaul Bloomer - A Prayer for the Healing of the Nations
03/06/2017 - 14/07/2017
This collection of artwork explores the tensions, fault lines and connections that exist between seemingly opposing forces in a world that is held in a state of perpetual antitheses.
ViewAlex Boak - People who touch wool
02/09/2017 - 01/10/2017
A display of images relating to the Shetland wool industry.
ViewJanette Kerr and Jo Millett - Confusing Shadow with Substance
22/07/2017 - 27/08/2017
Shetland's fishing stations: re-imagined events and journeys from shoreline to the far haaf.
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 .
View10th Birthday Celebrations
25/05/2017
To celebrate the milestone 10th birthday, Shetland Museum and Archives staff are hosting a day of birthday celebrations on Saturday 3rd June and would like to invite everyone along to join in the activities planned for the day.
ViewMathewson Lecture
22/03/2017
Eileen Brooke-Freeman will deliver a talk about the life of her ancestor Andrew Dishington Mathewson of East Yell (1799-1887) from her research into his letters, plans and other documents deposited in the Shetland Archives.
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 daily from 10am throughout the summer (May - September). Entry is free, donations welcome.