Innovation, Architecture and Design Orkney and Shetland
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Travel to Orkney and Shetland and discover the beauty and importance of the Northern Isles’ built heritage, modern landmarks and innovative design, as well as the people behind some of Scotland’s greatest creations. Orkney is home to the famous Skara Brae, the Neolithic village estimated to date back to around 3200BC, as well as other amazingly-well preserved sites from pre-historic times. There are fascinating buildings dating from the medieval period to the 17th Century, some of which reflect Orkney’s Norse links. There are traces too of the major conflicts of the 20th Century, when the island housed prisoners-of-war. Shetland also has many fascinating pre-historic sites such as Jarlshof Bronze Age, Iron Age and Norse Settlement and Events Mousa Iron Age Broch. Shetland heritage museums tell january- Up Helly Aa, Shetland their social history providing an insight into the historic March www.uphellyaa.org Scandinavian links and centuries of fishing and crofting on which the community depended. M ay Orkney Folk Festival In contrast, buildings on both island groups, like the Pier www.orkneyfolkfestival.com Arts Centre in Stromness, Orkney and the Shetland Museum and Archives in Lerwick are thoroughly modern and house St Magnus International Festival inspirational collections. The natural landscapes and creative June www.stmagnusfestival.com spirit of the Northern Isles provide the inspiration for many arts and crafts. September Shetland Wool Week The islands’ traditions and creativity also live on in the www.shetlandwoolweek.com spectacular music of Shetland fiddlers known throughout the world, and in the crafts produced on the islands today, from the unique styling of the Orkney chair and distinctive October Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival jewellery made here to the wool and knitwear for which www.shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com Shetland is justifiably famous
For more ideas and contacts go to www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email [email protected] Orkney 1 2 3 4
Orkney Creative Trail – see traditional and St Magnus Cathedral – Britain’s most northerly Sheila Fleet Gallery – Sheila Fleet OBE is one Skara Brae – Skara Brae pre-historic village contemporary items from artworks and cathedral, St Magnus Cathedral is located at of Scotland’s leading designer-makers of gold, is the best preserved group of pre-historic jewellery to ceramics and furniture, including the heart of beautiful Kirkwall and known as silver and platinum jewellery. Her original houses in Western Europe. The Neolithic the famous Orkney Chair, all designed and the ‘Light in the North’. It was founded in 1137 designs come from her passion for Orkney settlement, lying near the dramatic white made locally. The Association Creative Orkney by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, in honour of his and reflect the natural colours of the sea, sky beach of the Bay of Skaill, was uncovered by established which is downloadable online uncle St Magnus. With its distinctive sandstone and landscapes on the islands. Marvell at her a storm in 1850 and presents a remarkable and leads visitors to workshops where they hues, it’s one of Orkney’s most significant brand new collection and visit the new Kirk picture of life around 5,000 years ago. can talk directly to makers and watch items landmarks. Gallery & Café. T: 0131 668 8831 being made. T: 01856 874894 T: 01856 861 203 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.historicenvironment.scot www.creative-orkney.com www. stmagnus.org www. sheilafleet.com
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Ring of Brodgar – is one of the finest stone The Pier Arts Centre – houses an impressive Churchill Barriers – originally built in the 1940s Italian Chapel – one of the most unusual circles in the world and part of the UNESCO Heart collection of British fine art which was donated primarily as naval defences to protect the churches you’ll ever see, the Italian Chapel was of Neolithic Orkney. Dating back from 2,500 to by philanthropist Margaret Gardiner, including anchorage at Scapa Flow, the Churchill Barriers built on the Orkney island of Lamb Holm by 2,000 BC, the stone ring was built in a true circle, works by Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and are a series of four causeways which allows 550 Italian prisoners of war who worked on the 104 metres wide and originally contained sixty Alfred Wallis. It is recognised as one of the finest visitors to easily travel from the Orkney mainland construction of the Churchill Barriers during megaliths. Free walks around the site are provided collections of 20th Century work in the UK. The to the explore the southern islands South WW2. Constructed from two Nissan huts and by Historic Scotland rangers. The circle looks its excellent shop offers unusual items and locally Ronaldsay, Burray, Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm. such everyday objects as corned beef tins and car most majestic and mystical at sunrise or sunset. designed objects and jewellery. Watch out for the remains of some vessels from exhausts, the chapel is a unique and special place T: 0131 668 8831 T: 01856 850209 both World Wars which can still be seen jutting to experience. E: [email protected] E: [email protected] above the water. www.orkney.com www.historicenvironment.scot www.pierartscentre.com www.orkney.com shetland
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Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlemen – Shetland Crofthouse Museum – located in a Sumburgh Head Lighthhouse – provides an Mouse Iron Age Broch – one of the finest provides a fascinating insight into the way of delightful setting, this typical thatched 19th engaging and interactive visitor experience. surviving examples of a 2,000 year old Iron life of theinhabitants of Shetland in the late century Crofthouse has been restored to how Explore the history and natural heritage Age tower or broch and one of Europe’s Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pictish era, Norse era it would have looked in the 1870s. Smell the of Sumburgh Head from early geologicial archaeological marvels. After a short boat and the Middle Ages. It includes oval-shaped peat fire, discover the box beds and try to beginnings and Iron Age settlers to the crossing from Sandwick to the island of Mousa, Bronze Age houses, Iron Age broch and set the traditional Shetland mouse trap. The present day. Discover what life was like for the you can climb the narrow steps to the top of wheelhouses, Viking long houses, medieval Crofthouse also has a lovely garden with a lighthouse keepers and learn more about the the world’s best-preserved broch and take in farmstead and a 16th century laird’s house. path which leads to a restored watermill. area’s other inhabitants such as whales and incredible views across Mousa Sound. T: 01950 460557 puffins. T: 0131 668 8831 T: 0131 668 8831 E: [email protected] T: 01595 694688 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.shetlandheritageassociation.com E: [email protected] www.historicenvironment.scot www.historicenvironment.scot www.sumburghhead.com shetland 5 6 7 8
Shetland Traditional Music – though it shares Shetland Textile Museum – Shetland Wool Shetland Museum and Archives – discover the Shetland Craft Trail – see craftmakers, links with Scottish traditional music, Shetland and textiles are known worldwide. Inspired story of Shetland’s heritage and culture from designers and visual artists who are part of a music has also absorbed Scandinavian by the hues within the Shetland landscape, its earliest geological origins to the present growing creative community. Often inspired influences over the centuries thanks to the islands’ rich heritage in this field can be day. The galleries contain everything from by their environment, culture or indigenous Shetland’s proximity to and connections explored at the Shetland Textile Museum. delicate Shetland lace to Pictish art and you materials, they create contemporary works with the Nordic countries. The virtuosity of Visitors can find out more about how knitting can watch vessels being constructed using for sale and exhibition. Many welcome groups Shetland’s fiddle players in particular is known was a fundamental part of the crofting life on hand techniques handed down through the and you can meet the artists and designers, throughout the world and it’s worth checking Shetland from the 1830s, providing the islands’ generations in the renovated boat shed. commission special pieces or shop for gifts. A for concerts taking place during any visits. women with income and new found freedom. T: 01595 695057 downloadable map is available online. T: 01595 743 843 T: 01595 694386 E: [email protected] T: 07747 377856 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk www. shetlandartsandcrafts.co.uk www.shetlandarts.org www.shetlandtextilemuseum.com Please note some attractions have seasonal opening hours. Please check opening times with the attraction.
For more ideas and contacts go to www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email [email protected]