Visit Us
Shetland Museum & Archives is open. Drop in and visit us, no booking is necessary.
Free to visit - As always, entry to the Museum and Archives is free but now more than ever we need your support - please consider making a donation.
Online Resources
Inside Visit Us
Crofthouse Museum
The Shetland Crofthouse Museum is now closed and will reopen in May for the 2026 season.
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Archives Searchroom
The Archives searchroom is a comfortable, quiet space which is open to anyone who wishes to find out more about a particular subject, or just browse books, newspapers or records in the collection.
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Closed: Hays Dock Café
It is with regret that we announce the closure of 'Hay's Dock by The Dowry', which was operated by Beervana Ltd. Unfortunately, despite efforts to remain open, securing the necessary staff has not been possible which has resulted in a mutual end of t...
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Activities
Whatever your reason for visiting us at Shetland Museum and Archives, there are a range of activities on offer to ensure you can make the most of your time with us.
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Hay's Dock
Shetland Museum and Archives sits on Hay’s Dock; the last remaining area of original dock on the Lerwick waterfront, which is now category B listed. This is a perfect setting to highlight the strong heritage connection with the sea.
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Public Art
Shetland Amenity Trust commissioned over 60 individual artworks as part of its Shetland Museum and Archives Public Art Project. These are on show throughout the building and dock, some even appearing alongside the artefacts and documents in the galleries and Archives.
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Accessibility
We want to make sure we continue to offer an excellent experience for all visitors with additional needs .
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Get Your Skates On!
The weather has changed, the temperature risen, wind and rain are back, the frosty winter fun gone. In 1909 though, one organisation ...
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Why hunt whales?
Pilot whales were important to islanders’ survival, providing many useful products. Subsistence whaling was unpredictable, because ...
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St Sunniva's Tableware
The pandemic meant no cruise liners came to Lerwick, but not many Shetlanders realise that an important one lies on the seabed at ...
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Winter Sports
We’ve had a fine spell of weather of late, snowy, frosty, crispy. Out for a walk one day I was told someone had been spotted skiing, ...
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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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Missing Crowds
Today is the last Tuesday in January and would traditionally be Up Helly Aa day 2021. This is a much anticipated date for many ...
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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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'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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Museum and Archives to remain closed
Shetland Museum and Archives will remain closed to the public after the festive period due to the latest advice from NHS Shetland on ...
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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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New winter opening times at the Shetland Museum and Archives
The Shetland Museum and Archives have announced new opening times that will come into effect on Saturday 28th November. The aim is to ...
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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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Tears of joy and appreciation for peerie hansels
Shetland students on the mainland will be receiving a ‘Peerie Hansel fae Hame’ this week as part of the Shetland Amenity Trust’s ...
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Appeal: A Peerie Hansel Fae Hame
The Shetland Community would like to express its support by sending a peerie hansel (gift) from home to the estimated 400 students ...
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Shetland Museum and Archives - Reopening Plans
The Shetland Museum and Archives plans to reopen to the public on Thursday 16th July with a new booking system and measures in place ...
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