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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Christmas in Shetland - 1923
1923, like many of the years between the wars, was not a good one. The Shetland Times year end report spoke of a poor herring fishing, ...
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Research project commissioned to encourage locals to grow more aets!
Shetland Amenity Trust has commissioned a research project with two local straw makers to understand more about the growing of ...
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‘Logical Confusion’, a retrospective exhibition of Mike McDonnell opens at the Shetland Museum
An ambitious new exhibition dedicated to the artistry of well-known local artist Mike McDonnell opened this weekend at the Shetland ...
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New poetry book - ‘Love in Human Herts’
‘Love in Human Herts’, a new publication celebrating Vagaland’s finest poetry has been launched today by the Shetland Amenity ...
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Film celebrating the achievements of Johnnie Notions launched by Shetland Museum and Archives
A new film which brings to life the incredible story of 18th century inoculation pioneer and Shetland crofter Johnnie Notions has been ...
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Keep a look out for Skeklers this Halloween
We had a great time at our recent Skeklers Hat workshop with local artist Eve Eunson in preparation for Halloween.
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Pre-school Activity Mornings
Bring your little explorers to the Shetland Museum & Archives for our heritage-filled fun sessions, designed especially for under 5's ...
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National Poetry Day
To celebrate National Poetry Day we asked assistant archivist (and poet) Mark Smith to uncover a hidden gem from the archives. This ...
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October Holiday Workshops
Join us this October Holidays for heritage inspired workshops and some spooky Halloween fun! From witchcraft to skeklers and faas ...
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Treasure Trove Comes to Shetland
Members of the public are invited to come along with their ‘treasures’ and meet experts from Scotland’s Treasure Trove Unit ...
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Bold exhibition featuring photography by legendary Diane Arbus opens at Shetland Museum and Archives
A new display of powerful and iconic photographs by Diane Arbus, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, opened ...
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Shetland Museum and Archives Launches New Online Archive Catalogue
A new online Archives catalogue has been launched today (Tuesday 8 August) at the Shetland Museum and Archives.
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CLOSED: Friday 12 noon - Sunday 12 noon
Shetland Museum and Archives will be closed from 12 noon on Friday 21 July until 12 noon on Sunday 23 July, due to a private ...
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A celebration of Shetland’s maritime heritage at the museum
Shetland’s maritime heritage will be at the heart of Shetland Museum and Archives’ summer programme, with a series of themed ...
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Preparing for the herring – photos from the archives
George Gen and Sarah Mackintosh, members of our Visitor Experience team have pulled together a selection of photos from our online ...
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