News / Horse drawn gig
A RARE horse-drawn gig will go on show in the foyer of the Shetland Museum and Archives on Thursday, following two years of intensive restoration.
The lightweight carriage was donated to the museum after having been locked away in a barn for 90 years.
It belonged to Joanny Halcrow, who died in 1918. He had lived in South Africa, and after returning home to Shetland ran a small shop at Aithsetter.
When it was given to the museum, the gig was dilapidated but, having been kept indoors it was remarkably complete, and restoration was possible.
Museum attendants Sonny Morrison and Erik Erasmuson worked for two years to painstakingly renovate the vehicle to its original appearance, using accurate techniques and materials.
Throughout the whole job the restorers have kept as much as possible of the original vehicle, and only authentic materials were used to make replacements.
Metal fittings are in iron, not steel, and all nuts and bolts are imperial, not metric thread.
A seat and lamps of other now-gone gigs completed the construction, and finishing touches included matting and the upholstered cushions.
And they used many 19th-century coachbuilder’s skills in the project, from fitting spokes and felloes (parts of the wheels), to making the horsehair and straw seat.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.