Home and Land
Home and Land explores domestic life and subsistence agriculture from 1500-1800. This was the way that most Shetlanders lived their lives for centuries.
Entering the zone, you will discover displays detailing the life of the ruling and political elite before discovering the agricultural subsistence life of the majority. Islanders built their own homes, made their own garments and implements and grew their own crops. Everyone worked together, and lives were ruled by the seasons. Survival played a larger part than money.
Themes include: Buildings, livestock, crops, farming methods, tenant farmers and their landlords and ministers.
Highlights include:
- Norwegian wooden imports – the only imported items in a farmer’s home.
- A Shetland cow – the most important possession any family owned.
- Kishie – everyday straw container used in islands without wood.