The best museums Orkney & Shetland

The Orkney Museum is particularly well developed and is full of information and objects of great interest. Set up in a former Kirkwall house opposite the cathedral, its exhibition is a bit like a labyrinth, with rooms that follow one another in all directions. The contents are nonetheless very interesting and instructive, telling the history of the archipelago, from its origins to the present day, from the Stone Age, the Picts and the Vikings. It is an excellent introduction to discovering the region.

This is the place to go to get a full understanding of Shetland's history, northern heritage, uniqueness and rich heritage. The visit brings to life the place names, landscapes and buildings you come across as you cross the islands. It is very instructive and retraces the whole of the archipelago's past, without omitting any of its highlights, whether they concern the first Picts, the Vikings, the arrival of the telephone or the ferries...

The small museum in the market town of Scalloway, former capital of Shetland, tells the story of its people, nature and past, from prehistory to the present day, including the two wars. An entire section is dedicated to the clandestine war operation known as the Shetland Bus, which united Norway and Shetland in a resistance fight against Nazi Germany. You can also borrow the keys to the nearby Scalloway Castle, built around 1607 by Patrick Stuart, when he ruled the archipelago.

While on the island, be sure to visit the Unst Heritage Centre. This museographic space recounts all the local history and exhibits valuable old boats at Unst Boat Haven. Here you will learn that for centuries Unst has been one of the richest fishing spots in the world. You will learn how fish was caught, dried and shipped overseas. You'll see the different ships and their special features.

This tour is particularly informative as it tells the maritime and natural history of the Orkney Islands, with a particular interest in the whaling industry, the Hudson Bay Company, and the German fleet sunk at Scapa Flow in 1919. In the summer, temporary exhibits are also programmed. The discovery of this museum allows a better understanding of the history and heritage of this part of Orkney. If you are passionate about archaeology, you should know that this museum gathers a large number of objects of international importance.