TALK: Uncovering life in Weisdale in the 19th century with archaeologist Rick Barton
Thursday, January 23rd 2025 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Shetland Museum and Archives
Tickets £5 | Book here
During the nineteenth century, Shetland experienced significant political and social changes, which impacted the lives of rural communities across the Isles, notably the introduction of fishing-based tenure and large-scale sheep farming. The parish of Weisdale witnessed some of the most extensive clearances in Shetland.
Recently, ORCA Archaeology undertook archaeological work across the well-preserved remains in the Weisdale valley, on behalf of SSEN. The results of this work provide a rich resource for understanding the landscape and the lives of rural communities at an everyday level and through periods of significant change. In this presentation, we will share some of the findings of this work and examine life in a Shetland township from an archaeological perspective. We will also consider how we should preserve Shetland's relict crofting landscapes for the future.
There will be the opportunity for a Q & A at the end of this presentation from 8pm onwards.
Image: Scarpigarth, Shetland by Rick Barton
Category: Lectures