28 March - 19 July 2026
Hays Dock, Lerwick, Shetland , ZE1 OWP
Shetland Museum & Archives website

 

 

 
  • Outwith : Valda, MacDiarmid and Whalsay Da Gadderie, Shetland Museum and Archives 28 March - June 2026 An exhibition exploring...
    Alexander Moffat RSA,  Valda and Chris,  detail, oil on canvas, 2020, 78 x 102cms ©The Artist

    Outwith : Valda, MacDiarmid and Whalsay

    Da Gadderie, Shetland Museum and Archives

    28 March - June 2026

     

    An exhibition exploring personal connections, island life, and the poetry that endures.

     

    The story of Hugh MacDiarmid HRSA and his wife, Valda, continues to inspire nearly a century on. This landmark exhibition focuses on the nine years (1933 - 1942) poet Hugh MacDiarmid and his wife Valda spent in the Shetland island of Whalsay, exploring how the island influenced their lives and work.

     

    Despite poverty, ill health, and isolation, MacDiarmid produced half of his life's work there. The exhibition examines how the island's rugged landscapes, community and solitude shaped his poetry, while highlighting Valda's resilience and support, which was central to his achievements.

     

    Featured items include original manuscripts and personal letters on loan from the National Library of Scotland (NLS); photographs from the Grieves Estate and Whalsay Heritage Group, visual art from Alexander Moffat RSA, and landscapes from artist Ruth Nicol (RSW).

     

    The exhibition is presented at Da Gadderie Gallery in collaboration with NLS, RSA, Shetland Library, and Whalsay History Group, connecting national heritage with local Shetland history.

     

     
  • RSA 200: Shetland Connections Da Briggiestanes, Shetland Museum 12 May - 19 July 2026 For two centuries, the Royal Scottish...
    William Fleming Vallance RSA

    RSA 200: Shetland Connections 

    Da Briggiestanes, Shetland Museum

    12 May - 19 July 2026

     

    For two centuries, the Royal Scottish Academy has supported artists and architects, championing creativity in Scotland and beyond. Founded in 1826, the Academy has long provided a place for artistic exchange, professional recognition, and public engagement. 

     

    We are celebrating the RSA’s 200th anniversary through works drawn from the museum’s art collection. Each piece has a connection to Shetland - through landscape, people, history, or artists who were inspired by these islands. 

     

    This exhibition brings together selected works from different generations of RSA-associated artists. Reflecting both the variety of artistic practice represented within the Academy and the enduring appeal of Shetland as a source of inspiration.  Featured artwork by Walter Graham Grieve RSA; James Scott Kinear,  William Fleming Vallance RSA and Ursula Wood;

     

    These works are united not by a single theme or style, but by their shared connections with the RSA and with Shetland. Together, they celebrate two enduring narratives: the 200‑year history of the Royal Scottish Academy and Shetland’s ongoing presence within Scotland’s artistic imagination. 
  • About Shetland Museum & Archives
    Shetland Museum & Archives

    About Shetland Museum & Archives

    Shetland Museum & Archives showcases the history and heritage of the Shetland Islands. Its collections include artifacts, photographs, and oral histories documenting the islands’ geology, archaeology, maritime activities, and social traditions from Neolithic to Viking periods. Managed by the Shetland Amenity Trust, the museum offers free access to galleries, exhibitions, and educational resources. Visitors can explore over 60,000 images online. Located at Hay’s Dock, Lerwick, the museum provides an insightful view of Shetland’s culture, natural history, and societal developments, serving as a valuable resource for research, learning, and understanding the islands’ unique heritage.

     

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    Banner image: Shetland Museum - May 2025, image credit Shetland Museum and Archives