Museums, archives and heritage in the Shetland Islands

Shetland, insular county of Scotland, 50 miles NE. of Orkney, 352,876 acres, population 29,705; Mainland, population 20,821; it consists of about 100 islands, 29 of which are inhabited – Mainland, Yell, Unst, Fetlar, Whalsay, and Bressay being the largest. Mainland, comprising more than half the area of the whole group, extends N. and S. for 54 miles, and has an extreme, breadth of 21 miles, but the coast-line is so irregular and deeply indented that no spot is 4 miles from the sea. The surface of Shetland is generally bleak and moorish, and rises to a maximum altitude of 1475 ft., but only in a few places higher than 500 ft. The rock scenery around the coasts is exceedingly grand and interesting. The climate is humid and comparatively mild, but severe storms are frequent. Large numbers of cattle and sheep of native breeds are reared, and the small Shetland ponies are remarkable for their strength and hardiness. Barley, oats, turnips, and potatoes are grown. The fisheries, especially the herring fishery, are of the greatest importance, and afford the chief employment. The knitting of woollen articles is also a great industry. Shetland comprises 12 parishes.

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Bayanne House

Sellafirth

Yell ZE2 9DG

01957 744219

www.bayanne.co.uk

Bayanne House was originally at the centre of a small estate created in the late 18th century by the Hoseason family of Yell. Many changes in fortune and ownership have resulted in its present extent of only 4.5 acres on the shores of Basta Voe.

Bod of Gremista & Shetland Textile Working Museum

Gremista

Lerwick ZE1 0PX

01595 694 386

goo.gl/q7AA9m

This 18th century fishing böd was the birthplace of Arthur Anderson, co-founder of the P&O shipping company. Two rooms are restored to how they looked 200 years ago and contain displays explaining the history of the whitefish industry at that time. The rest of the building houses the Shetland Textile Working Museum, specialising in the beautiful textiles that have become synonymous with the Shetland name.

Fetlar Interpretive Centre

Beach of Houbie

Fetlar ZE2 9DJ

01957 733206

www.fetlar.com

We are a small community-run museum on the remote island of Fetlar in Shetland where you can walk through many exhibitions on history, archaeology, folklore and wildlife.

George Waterston Memorial Centre & Museum

Auld Skoll, Utra

Fair Isle ZE2 9JU

01595 760244

goo.gl/Eg6QL8

George Waterston OBE (1911 1980), the former Scottish Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, was a much loved figure who had massive and positive influence on Fair Isle. He bought the island after World War II and co-founded the Bird Observatory in 1948.

Old Haa Trust

Altona

Mid Yell ZE2 9BT

01957 702252

goo.gl/YclRKj

Museum with local history, natural history and art and craft exhibitions, shop, garden and genealogical resources.

Scalloway Museum

Castle Street, Scalloway

Shetland ZE1 0TP

01595 880734

www.scallowaymuseum.org

Scalloway was once the capital of Shetland. Fishing features in the museum, yet the unique story concerns ‘The Shetland Bus’ – the name given to clandestine operations to and from occupied Norway during the war.

Shetland Crofthouse Museum

Voe, Boddam

Dunrossness ZE2 9JG

01950 460 557

members/south-mainland/the-croft-house-museum

Located in a delightful setting, this typical thatched crofthouse has been restored to how it would have looked in the 1870s.

Shetland Family History Society

6 Hillhead

Lerwick ZE1 0EJ

01595 692276

www.shetland-fhs.org.uk

Shetland Family History Society brings together those studying genealogy and family history in Shetland.

Shetland Museum & Archives

Hay’s Dock

Lerwick ZE1 0WP

01595 695057

www.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk

Set on the waterfront within a restored 19th century dock the Shetland Museum and Archives tells Shetland’s story. As well as housing the museum and archive collections there are learning and research rooms.

Tangwick Haa Museum

Eshaness ZE2 9RS

01806 503389

www.tangwickhaa.org.uk

Different aspects of life in Northmavine through the years are illustrated by using a mixture of artefacts and photographs. Part of the display has a new theme every year. An important part of the museum are its parish records and census records.

Unst Boat Haven

Haroldswick ZE2 9ED

01957 711528

www.unstheritage.com

The Unst Boat Haven, part of the Unst Heritage Trust, is dedicated to the maritime history of Shetland boats. We have 17 boats, mainly traditional Shetland, but also from Faroe, Norway and Wales.

Unst Heritage Centre

Haroldswick ZE2 9ED

01957 711528

www.unstheritage.com

Unst’s permanent link to its rich history, through a fine collection of artefacts and items donated to the centre from residents past and present. These depict an island full of tradition.