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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.

The galleries are laid out in an easy to follow trail which takes you through our history from the geological beginnings and early people, through social, domestic and industrial changes and into the more contemporary oil era developments.

Use the building layout maps (Ground Floor and Upper Floor) to take a virtual tour of the building before you arrive, or have a look at the activities on offer to plan your day. Some children’s activity sheets can be downloaded before you arrive, or collected for free at reception or in the galleries.

The Archives Searchroom offers a quiet and comfortable space to conduct research on a specific subject, or just browse the catalogue, books or archive newspapers.

Take time to visit the Boat Shed to watch traditional boats being expertly restored and remember to pick up a souvenir of your visit from our well stocked Gift Shop.

Inside Visit Us

Galleries

The galleries integrate Shetland Museum and Archives collections to tell Shetland’s story in the most complete and accessible way.

Emma Louise's Coffee Shop at Hay's Dock

*OPENING TUESDAY 7TH MAY 2019*

Gift Shop

The Shetland Museum and Archives Gift Shop offers a range of products which are inspired by the Museum and Archive collections, and reflect and celebrate Shetland's unique culture and heritage.

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.

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, and display just some of the traditional Shetland boats in the collection.

Boat Shed

The Boat Shed, located at the left of the building dates from around 1900, although this particular site has been a place for boatbuilding and repair since the 1820s, with the first shed built in 1844 by Hay & Company. Today, the Boat Shed provi...

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.

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.