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 Nature Festival: 28th July – 5th August 2018
Whether you'd like to sit amongst Puffins at some of Europe's most spectacular seabird colonies, watch Killer Whales as they hunt around the coast, see otters up close or find some of Britain's rarest flowers, Shetland has it all and there's no better time to visit than during the Shetland Nature Festival.Download the 2018 Programme of Events and see how you can get involved.
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
| 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 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) |
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.
ViewHjaltibonhoga – Shetland Fiddlers of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
26/07/2018 - 31/08/2018
This exhibition displays a small selection of the many gifts given to Hjaltibonhoga by fellow performers at the Tattoo and other international events. Also in the display are costumes and commemorative photographs.
ViewAndrew Graham - Retrospective
04/08/2018 - 04/09/2018
Andrew was born and raised in Tingwall where he learned his passion for the wild and a great enthusiasm for ornithology. His early career as a coded welder from the late 1970s to the early 1990s and the skill learnt, particularly in steel, fed into his interest in art.
ViewAmy Gear - Cliff Face
11/08/2018 - 16/09/2018
For this exhibition Amy explores the bond between the landscape and the body through painting, drawing, film and spoken word.
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