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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Who's afraid of the njuggel?
Halloween wouldn’t be the same without a fair sprinkling of supernatural beings such as ghosts, vampires and werewolves, but ...
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Bringing biodiversity and history into the (outdoors) classroom
The Crofthouse Museum has closed after a busy season and it’s been so good to see folk back again. One project we delivered over ...
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October Workshops Programme
Join us throughout the bairns' October holidays for a host of heritage inspired craft activities with some spooky Halloween fun too!
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Crofthouse Museum and Shetland Museum closed Monday 19 September
The Shetland Museum and Archives and Crofthouse Museum will both be closed on Monday 19 September for the State Funeral of Her Majesty ...
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Alexander Wallace
A very welcome book came out recently. Developed from a Ph.D., 'Shetland Boats: Origin, Evolution and Use', by Dr Marc Chivers ...
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Archivist Brian Smith receives distinguished service award
We’re delighted that Brian Smith’s dedication to Shetland’s historical records has been recognised with a distinguished service ...
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Shetland Museum closed Saturday (6 Aug) afternoon
Shetland Museum is closing at 2.00pm this Saturday 6 August.
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Maggie Helen Under Sail
The Maggie Helen was under sail last night for the first time in over 100 years.
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Temporary diversion at the Museum as the Maggie Helen is on the move
There will be a temporary car park closure and access diversion in place at Hay’s Dock at the Shetland Museum and Archives from the ...
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Land of Straw Art Exhibition
Opening today, Berenice Carrington’s exhibition at the Shetland Museum and Archives focuses on the agricultural cycle of growing ...
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The Laurel
The Shetland Times, 12 October 1907 reported an important event at the Ness. Harry Irvine of Glenfield got a Fifie fishing boat, the ...
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Join the guest list for BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions at Shetland Museum and Archives
It’s your chance to ask a question and influence the debate as BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions is coming to Shetland Museum and ...
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Shetland's jubilations (Part 2)
2022 is the third time in twenty years there’s been a Royal Jubilee, so you might think they come around often. In fact, it’s in ...
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