Yell map maker celebrated

AN EXHIBITION about a Yell man who made the first detailed map of Jamaica is to open at Shetland Museaum and Archives later this month.

The exhibition, co-run by National Library of Scotland and held in conjunction with Museums Galleries Scotland, will explore the life and work of Robertson, who accurately mapped Jamaica in 1804.

On show will be the land surveyor’s maps, which have never been on display before in Shetland.

There will also be documents relating to Robertson’s life, as well as maps he created of the north east of Scotland.

The items are being loaned by the National Library of Scotland, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and Aberdeen University’s Special Collections unit.

A number of events will be held at the museum in conjunction with the exhibition.

Assistant archivist Joanne Wishart, who has been researching the Yell man, will give the talk James Robertson: craftsman or conman? on Friday 25 September at 7.30pm as she looks into his Shetland roots and his work in Jamaica.

National Library of Scotland’s senior map curator Chris Fleet will hold the talk Shapes of Shetland – four centuries of hydrographic charts and their makers as he looks into the history of marine charting the isles at 2pm on Saturday 26 September.

During the October holidays local artist Diane Garrick will hold two family-friendly workshops on map making as she draws on experience gained from a residency at the National Library.

Primary school children will get a chance to take part in workshops, while art classes and reminiscence sessions will be held in conjunction with Alzheimer’s Scotland.

Shetland schools will also be offered the chance to visit the exhibition, have a guided tour and take part in educational activities.

The exhibition will be open from September 26 until November 22.