Record month at the museum

Shetland Museum and Archives has just had the busiest ever period in its short history with thousands of hamefarers through the doors.

Om Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the museum said the exhibitions, the archive facilities, the restaurant and museum shop, as well as the programme put on specifically for the hamefarin had attracted almost 11,000 in June.

With the summer holiday season now in full swing, this month could see even more visitors.

Visitor services assistant Cathy Hallet said: “The Hamefarin period was the busiest I have ever seen in the museum.

“Folk had come from all over the world and were just so keen to look at everything and learn as much as we could tell them about Shetland’s heritage and culture. “

The museum’s gallery Da Gadderie has been running a special exhibition to highlight and celebrate the story of emigration from Shetland during the centuries.

Talks highlighting some of the individual stories of Shetland travellers complemented the exhibition.

Hamefarers were also invited on a free boat trip around Lerwick harbour on board the 60 year old inshore seine netter Pilot Us.

June saw over 120 people, coming from nine different countries, accessing the archives to research family history and trace their roots.

Assistant archivist Joanne Wishart said: “We were inundated at the archives during the Hamefarin and were the busiest we have ever been.

“Lots of visitors came regularly and were able to find out vast amounts about their ancestors, that they couldn’t have found elsewhere.”

The spokes woman added: “The hamefarin celebrations and exhibition have been a great success.

“Shetland Museum and Archives staff have been delighted with the interest and enthusiasm shown by visitors for Shetland’s heritage and culture.”