New museum opens in Shetland
16/04/2007
Where in the UK is this?
The Romans sailed round it, but never invaded.
There were no roads until the late 18th century.
Its unique geological features include a slice of ancient ocean crust (ophiolite) rarely seen at the earth’s surface.
Its sons and daughters include the founders of P&O Shipping Line and Anchor Butter, two Prime Ministers of New Zealand and one of Tasmania.
It is closer to Bergen in Norway than to Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.
Its sailors were so valued that during the Napoleonic Wars, it was said that every warship had at least one in their crew.
It has its own indigenous breeds of cows, sheep, horses, pigs and poultry – all smaller than the well-known species.
It is the stopping-off point for thousands of migratory birds, and the ‘otter capital’ of Europe.
There are large expatriate communities in Wellington, NZ and Boston, USA.
Until the 1850s, a lack of trees for wood meant its people had to import wooden boats flat-packed from Scandinavia – like Ikea!
An annual festival sees squads of men dressed as Vikings following a longship through the streets in a torchlit procession.
It was part of the Royal Kingdom of Norway, then Denmark, and became part of Scotland in 1469.
Its fishermen had a special language to be used at sea – superstition dictated that items could not be called by the usual names.
The Answer: Shetland. 
Intrigued? Then go to Shetland's new museum and archives. The £11.6 million building, with its dynamic sail-shaped Boat Hall, was recently chosen as a best practice example by the Scottish Executive in its new strategy for architecture, and is a major new visitor attraction for these fascinating islands.
Shetland's strong Norse influence is reflected in the culture, dialect and place names of the islands, and it has a unique position at the crossroads of sea routes. Its dramatic landscape was carved by the ice age and it is important for its geology and natural history, with important Viking and Pictish remains.
In recent years, Shetland has been discovered by many more visitors from the UK and abroad, particularly those interested in outdoor pursuits, natural history and archaeology, and the Museum and Archives will become the first port of call for all visitors to the islands, as well as a cultural hub for islanders themselves.
Features include:
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A striking three-storey high sail-shaped Boat Hall containing five traditional boats suspended in mid-air
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A superb café restaurant, Hay’s Dock, serving the finest local produce with panoramic views of the harbour
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A remarkable collection of over 3,000 artefacts, from a working lighthouse, to delicate Fair Isle knitting and Shetland lace, and treasures of archaeology from the Picts, Vikings and all those who have inhabited the islands over the centuries
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Archives of written, photographic and oral records, which are fully accessible to everyone
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A unique collaboration with local and international artists, whose work has been specially commissioned for both inside and outside the building, from sculptures which whisper you stories to paving slabs featuring mysterious nautical terms and symbols
Shetland is easily accessible via direct flights from Scottish cities and London, and by sea from the Scottish mainland, Scandinavia and North America. The Museum will be open daily 10:00-17:00 and the Archives will be open Mon to Sat 09:30-16:30 (Thu 10:00-19:00). Sun 10:00-13:00. For more information visit the link below.
(Images copyright Didier Piqueer, Khanoppee)