Shetland Museum & Archives
Drop in and visit us at the Shetland Museum and Archives. We look forward to welcoming you.
Paul Bloomer exhibition opens this Sunday
We are proud to announce the opening of Flight, a major retrospective exhibition by Paul Bloomer, celebrating 25 years of work inspired by Shetland. The exhibition opens in Da Gadderie this Sunday and runs until 4 January 2026, presenting a powerful body of paintings, etchings, prints and drawings that capture Shetland’s wild skies, shifting seascapes and dramatic landscapes.
Upcoming events
Sunday 26 October - Gallery Tour - Book
Thursday 30 October - Artist Talk - Book
Slander, Theft and Violence in early seventeenth-century Shetland: a talk by John Shaw
Thursday 23 October
7pm - 8.30pm
Tickets - £5
In this lecture John Shaw will examine how slander was treated in the Sheriff Court operated by Earl Patrick Stewart and how this related to crimes like theft and assault.
Book your ticket
Spooky Shetland Stories (over 16s only)
Wednesday 29 October
7pm - 9pm
Tickets £10
Join us for a spooktacular night of ghostly tales and weird witchcraft, as we celebrate the time of year when the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is thinnest!
Archivist Brian Smith delves into a dark moment in Shetland’s past - the witchcraft trials of the 17th century - followed by 8 o'clocks, then settle in and get ready to hear bone-chilling stories that will send shivers down your spine.
Book your ticketWelcome to Shetland Museum and Archives
Our Five Star, award winning Museum and Archives is a multifunctional visitor attraction in the heart of Shetland's capital town of Lerwick. Begin your journey through the history of our beautiful islands here, with an enjoyable and interactive visitor experience discovering our world renowned collections. The Museum and Archives is managed by the Shetland Amenity Trust, a small charity caring for Shetland's natural and cultural heritage.
Visit Us
Shetland Museum & Archives is open. Drop in and visit us, no booking is necessary.
Collections
Visitors and researchers can explore the fascinating story of Shetland’s heritage and culture in one place, with access to a wealth of documents and artefacts covering all aspects of the islands' past at Shetland Museum and Archives.
Education & Research
Shetland Museum and Archives offers a comprehensive education programme, with access to workshops focussing on different areas of our collections, and outreach sessions in the community.
Online Resources
Access document and photo archives online, or download a choice of teaching resources, or visitor activity sheets.
Community Heritage
Shetland’s heritage is researched, collected and exhibited throughout the islands by a network of local museums and heritage centres. Each museum and heritage centre in Shetland is unique, highlighting the various and changing aspects of natural and cultural heritage in each area.
Venue & Event Hire
Shetland Museum and Archives offers first class venue facilities for hire in a stunning dockside location. From conferences and meetings, to weddings or birthday parties, our versatile spaces are suitable for any event.
Crofthouse Museum
Step back in time as you enter the traditional 19th century thatched crofthouse.
Find Out More
Events
Events and activities during your visit
Shetland Museum and Archives are proud to offer a range of events for adults, children and famlies, covering a variety of themes throughout the year. Our own events are detailed below, or see the 'What's On' Calendar for all public events and exhibition listings for the building.
ViewSlander, Theft and Violence in early seventeenth-century Shetland: a talk by John Shaw
How people slandered each other reveals a great deal about a society. It speaks ...
ViewCancelled - Halloween Candle Jars (Primary 4-7)
Join us for a fun-filled workshop where bairns can get creative and design ...
ViewPaul Bloomer - Flight - Gallery Tour
Join a gallery tour with artists Paul Bloomer, exploring the inspiration behind ...
ViewShetland Museum Socials - drop-in
Come along to our informal Shetland Museum Socials running fortnightly on ...
Exhibitions
Displays, Exhibitions and Gadderie Shows
There are a number of exhibition spaces and feature display areas throughout the Museum and Archives building. The artefacts and works on display change regularly and details of our current shows are listed here.
Current
ViewDegree Show Exhibition with Heriot Watt University
During 2024 Jamieson & Smith collaborated with Heriot Watt University on an ...
Latest Blog Posts
Keep up to date with new stories and details of what our researchers are doing to preserve and promote Shetland's heritage and culture.
Paul Bloomer exhibition opens at Shetland Museum this Sunday – celebrating 25 years of work
Shetland Museum and Archives is proud to announce the opening of Flight, a major retrospective exhibition by Paul Bloomer, celebrating ...
Read more
Sumburgh airport in the log books (1958 - 2010)
Archives assistant, Angus Johnson, has been working with our collection of Sumburgh airport movement logs (D1/236, 1958-2010). They ...
Read more
Support Us
Shetland Museum and Archives is managed by Shetland Amenity Trust, a charitable organisation dedicated to safeguarding, enhancing, and promoting Shetland's heritage. Our mission is to ensure that Shetland’s history and culture remain accessible for everyone to enjoy - now and for generations to come.
Your generosity plays a vital role in making this possible. Donations directly support the care, preservation, and display of our collections, artefacts, and archives and help us to continue to share Shetland’s story with our community and visitors.
Every gift makes a difference. Thank you.
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