Name: Shetland Museum and Archives
Rating: 5.0

Shetland Museum and Archives

Shetland Museum & Archives, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0WP, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Welcome 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.

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.

If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Crofthouse Museum: The Shetland Crofthouse Museum is now closed and will reopen in May for the 2026 season. The property is presented in the style of how it would have looked in the 1870s. Smell the peat fire, discover the box beds and try to set the traditional Shetland mouse trap.
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.
Galleries: Visit our Museum Galleries and uncover Shetland's rich heritage, where history and culture come alive. The galleries integrate Shetland Museum and Archives collections to tell Shetland’s story in the most complete and accessible way.
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.
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.
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. In addition to the calendar of events, and any current exhibitions taking place, there are also seasonal activities and gallery tours which are delivered to tie in with specific events or certain times of year. Throughout the galleries, there are interactive exhibits, and activity sheets for children.
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.
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.
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.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Museum - Winter Opening Times (From 1st Dec 2025 to 1st May 2026)

Monday & Sunday: CLOSED (archives open by appointment)
Tuesday - Saturday: 10am to 5pm.

Archives - Opening Times (Drop In)

Monday: To arrange a visit to the Archives on Mondays between 10am - 5pm please call 01595 741554 or email [email protected]
Tuesday - Friday: 10am to 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
Saturday - Sunday: CLOSED

Time may vary please check here: https://www.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk/opening-times

Address: Shetland Museum & Archives, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0WP, UK

Post Code: ZE1 0WP

Council: Shetland Isles

County: The Highlands

By Public Transport: As the Museum and Archives is located very close to the Viking Bus Station it is easy to reach by public transport. Click here to view the ZetTrans website for the latest information.
By Plane: Take the A970 North from Sumburgh Airport, following the signs for Lerwick. Once in Lerwick follow the signs for the Shetland Museum and Archives. This trip should take around 30 minutes.
By Ferry: Shetland Museum and Archives is just one mile from the Holmsgarth Ferry Terminal. Take the road into Lerwick town centre and turn left at the roundabout at the Viking Bus Station.