Viking Brooch

Jenny Murray our Curator of Collections, shares the fascinating story of a Viking Age brooch that was found in Fetlar in 2002.

Jenny Murray our Curator of Collections, shares the fascinating story of a Viking Age brooch that was found in Fetlar in 2002. Channel 4's Time Team discovered it during their excavations of a mound which to their surprise uncovered the burial site of a Viking woman of high status.

It’s a truly incredible piece of jewellery and an incredible survivor. This piece is currently in storage, but that gives us an opportunity to take an even closer look. Visit the Shetland Museum and Archives to learn more about our Norse heritage and view the impressive collection of Viking jewellery on display.

Viking Brooch Blog Posts

Northwest Passage

On the 26th of June 1576, three ships anchored near St Ninian’s Isle. These were the Gabriel, a twenty-five tonne barque, the ...

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Why hunt fowl?

As part of the Between Islands project, Shetland’s new online exhibition, ‘Fair Game’ examines three customs that are now ...

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Up Helly Aa has a most interesting history

With the cancellation of Up Helly Aa there will be no torchlit procession, galley burning or all night partying this year. These ...

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The Shetland Archives - behind the searchroom

In the Shetland archives, we are lucky to have an enormous collection of our recent-forebears on tape. There are recordings of men and ...

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'Fair Game’ a major new online exhibition launched as part of the Between Islands project

The project highlights the historical cultural links between the islands of Shetland, Orkney, and the Outer Hebrides, while exploring ...

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New Baltic ware collection on display for the first time at Shetland Museum

A collection of colourful Skovi Kapps which highlight Shetland’s trading and maritime links with Russia during the 19th century is ...

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Fair Isle Chairs on display in Da Gadderie

An exciting new exhibition of Fair Isle Chairs by local carpenter Eve Eunson is on display in Da Gadderie in Lerwick. In collaboration ...

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Unveiling the Shetland War Memorial, 6 January 1924

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the time of the armistice that ended the Great War. Remembrance in ...

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Peter and Olla

Archivist Brian Smith retells the story of cousins Peter and Olla, two very different characters, who met one notable New Year's eve. ...

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Shipwrecks in Shetland Part 2

Shetland has some fascinating historic wreck sites and the remains greatly enhance our knowledge and understanding of international ...

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Da Croon o Da Ura

One of Shetland’s more remarkable archaeological sites is Da Croon o Da Ura, in Unst, just about the most northerly part of the ...

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80 Year Anniversary of the Radar Station that saved the British Home Fleet in Orkney during WW2

The significance of the Radar Station at Sumburgh Head cannot be overestimated. Exactly 80 years ago today this Station was ...

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Shipwrecks in Shetland Part 1

Diving into the past Shetland’s Historic Shipwreck Collections. (Part 1) Shetland has some fascinating historic wreck sites and the ...

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Viking Toys and Games

Here collections assistant Tracey Hawkins discusses the activities both adults and children enjoyed during Viking times – from ...

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Two Earls and a Bishop

As our Three Kirks project continues, we are trying to piece together the reasons why the Orcadian red sandstone was brought to ...

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