Our Own Shows
Some of our past exhibitions have been curated by Shetland Museum and Archives staff, or have been on loan for special display from national or international institutions.
We are proud to have a facility capable of exhibiting high profile, exiting shows which gives people in Shetland the opportunity to see, firsthand, iconic artefacts and items which, although may not be specific to Shetland's heritage, are nonetheless very important - and popular. Exhibitions on local subjects curated by our staff are also very popular and well visited. Examples of these are below.
View Full Size40 Years of Art at Shetland Museum
View Full SizeArmada Cannon
View Full SizeFocus display of merchant bottles
View Full SizeFrom Old Rock to New Life - Emigration Show
View Full SizeThe Lewis Chessmen
View Full SizeHigh Seas and High Teas - an exhibition of tea trading
View Full SizeSkaill Hoard
View Full SizeTaatit Rugs
View Full SizeTriceratops skull from the Hunterian Museum
View Full SizeWriting the North partnership exhibition
Gunnister Man, in partnership with National Museums Scotland. September 2009.
Gayer-Anderson Cat, loaned from The British Museum. September 2012.
Skaill Hoard exhibition, in partnership with National Museums Scotland. July 2013.
Gentle Giant, dinosaur exhibition in parternship with The Hunterian Museum,University of Glasgow. September 2013.
Writing the North exhibition, in partnership with the Arts & Humanities Research Council, University of Edunburgh and Orkney Library. March 2014.
Blockade: 1914-1918. Self -curated exhibition on Shetlanders during WW1. August 2014.
Don McCullin Exhibition, in partnership with Shetland Arts, Artists Rooms, Tate and National Galleries Scotland. November 2014.
James Robertson map exhibition, in partnership with the National Library of Scotland. September 2015.
Casting on Shetland Wool Week
Da Gadderie
Celebrating the inspiration and designs behind the Shetland Wool Week Annual 2022.
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Fair Isle Chairs by Eve Eunson
Da Gadderie, Shetland Museum and Archives, Lerwick
An exciting exhibition of Fair Isle Chairs by local carpenter Eve Eunson was on display in Da Gadderie in Lerwick. In collaboration with the Shetland Museum and Archives, this exhibition gave an insight into the history, traditional craft and distinctive qualities of Fair Isle chairs.
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Skovi Kapps Display
A collection of colourful Skovi Kapps which highlight Shetland’s trading and maritime links with Russia during the 19th century is now on display for the first time at the Shetland Museum.
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Men in tights
Da Gadderie
Our new photographic exhibition ‘Men in Tights’ focuses on Up Helly Aa squads from 1905 – 1923 which made use of a favourite UHA disguise – men dressed up as women.
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'Fair Game’ online exhibition
Online Exhibition
Shetland Museum and Archives has launched a major new online exhibition called ‘Fair Game’ as their part in the Between Islands project.
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James Robertson - The Shetlander who mapped Jamaica
In a joint project with the National Library of Scotland, and supported by Museums Galleries Scotland, Shetland Museum and Archives staff will explore the life and work of James Robertson, a Shetlander who made the first detailed map of Jamaica.
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John Johnson: Hobby Artist at Sea
Location: ‘Da Neuk’ – a small exhibition space located in the upper boat hall viewing area of the Shetland Museum & Archives
This exhibition showcases paintings by Shetland resident John Johnson who was born in Papa Stour in 1873.
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Peerie Boats: The Diversity and Craftmanship of Model Ships
Briggiestanes, Shetland Museum & Archives
Shetland Museum has a vast collection of ship models ranging in size and quality of construction, but most have been created by Shetlanders and many reflect their experience of ships and shipping, fishing, and trade. This display is a small selection of these models, demonstrating the breadth and diversity of the ship and boat models contained within the collection, and the skill of those who made them.
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At Sea and Ashore
Da Gadderie
‘At Sea and Ashore’, is a showcase of four Shetland fishermen's own photographs.
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The Arthurs
Archives Entrance
A feature exhibition exploring Shetland surnames Arthur and Arthurson is now on display at the Shetland Museum and Archives. The collaboration between the Shetland Family History Society and the Museum and Archives is part of the society’s ‘Sharing Shetland Surnames’ project. Each year they collaborate on a feature exhibition with past years focusing on Shetland surnames Abernethy, Goudie and Robertson.
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