The new Shetland Museum and Archives, which opened to the public in June, features over 60 individual commissioned artworks.

Situated at Hay’s Dock in Lerwick, the attraction, which showcases Shetland’s culture and heritage, has taken eight years to complete.  The two main museum galleries are split into twelve zones, telling Shetland’s story from its geological beginnings to the present day through a mixture of traditional, contemporary and interactive displays incorporating over 3,000 artefacts. 

The building houses some artefacts which were too large to go on display in the old facilities, such as the old Bressay lighthouse optic and 1933 Singer Le Mans car, as well as new commissions, such as the recreated traditional 18th century Shetland house complete with a model of Shetland’s indigenous and now extinct pig. 

These sit alongside a range of public art and sound installations, which can be found throughout the building and dock.  There will also be boats from the museum collection on display in Hay’s Dock and the Boat Sheds, as well as the five which hang in the Boat Hall.

Amongst the commissions is a group of lampshades in knitted aluminium wire which hang in the café restaurant.   These were created by Helen Robertson who explains “I was keen that knitting be celebrated in some way as it has played such an important role in Shetland's past and continues to do so today.   I thought it would be great to think of a way that Shetland lace could be used to form some part of the fittings of the building.  By combining patterns from the past with new material and function I hoped to bring Shetland Lace knitting to a new audience.”
 
The Shetland Lace patterns used are Horseshoe lace, Diamond lace, Shetland Bead lace, Bias lace, Rosebud lace, Flower lace, Lace hols, Acre and Mrs Montagues pattern.

Shetland Museum & Archives, Hay's Dock, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0WP tel: 01595 695057 is open Monday to Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Thursday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 12 noon to 5pm.

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