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.

View our full opening times

Inside Visit Us

CLOSED

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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Tours

Make the most of your visit with us and join us on a tour to ensure you see the highlights of our museum and our Recognised Collections.

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Crofthouse Museum

The Shetland Crofthouse Museum is now closed for the season and will reopen in May 2025.

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Galleries

Visit our Museum Galleries

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Archives Searchroom

Visit the Archives searchroom

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Gift Shop

Our 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.

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

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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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Visit Us Blog Posts

Museum and Archives to remain closed

Shetland Museum and Archives will remain closed to the public after the festive period due to the latest advice from NHS Shetland on ...

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New Baltic ware collection on display for the first time at Shetland Museum

A collection of colourful Skovi Kapps which highlight Shetland’s trading and maritime links with Russia during the 19th century is ...

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New winter opening times at the Shetland Museum and Archives

The Shetland Museum and Archives have announced new opening times that will come into effect on Saturday 28th November. The aim is to ...

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Fair Isle Chairs on display in Da Gadderie

An exciting new exhibition of Fair Isle Chairs by local carpenter Eve Eunson is on display in Da Gadderie in Lerwick. In collaboration ...

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Tears of joy and appreciation for peerie hansels

Shetland students on the mainland will be receiving a ‘Peerie Hansel fae Hame’ this week as part of the Shetland Amenity Trust’s ...

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Appeal: A Peerie Hansel Fae Hame

The Shetland Community would like to express its support by sending a peerie hansel (gift) from home to the estimated 400 students ...

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Shetland Museum and Archives - Reopening Plans

The Shetland Museum and Archives plans to reopen to the public on Thursday 16th July with a new booking system and measures in place ...

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Our commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity

The death of George Floyd has prompted a global outpouring of grief and anger that we, as an integral part of society, cannot ignore. ...

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Events Postponed

The Shetland Amenity Trust have announced that its key annual events will all be postponed until next year.  Due to the current ...

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Shetland Wool Week 2020 Patron & Hat Pattern Launched

The Shetland Wool Week patron for 2020 has been named today as Shetland knitwear designer, Wilma Malcolmson, who is internationally ...

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Shetland Amenity Trust closes key sites

The Shetland Museum and Archives and the Shetland Amenity Trust’s head offices at Garthspool, Lerwick have today closed to the ...

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BBC Radio 4's Any Questions Postponed

The BBC have taken the decision to postpone their ‘Any Questions’ event until later in the year.

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Shetland Boat Week puts out call for traditional boats

Shetland Boat Week is asking owners of traditional Shetland boats to bring them to Shetland Museum and Archives for display during ...

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Exciting Line-up for Shetland Boat Week

The Shetland Amenity Trust and partners are busy getting organised for Shetland Boat Week 2020.

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Shetland Amenity Trust kicks off Up Helly Aa with a series of fiery events

The fiery season is on us and the Shetland Amenity Trust is putting together a series of events as well as offering extended opening ...

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