• We examples of all the minerals found in Shetland. This is galena, a type of lead ore.
  • Our herbarium is the result of one mans lifes work and contains all the wild plants of Shetland.
  • People used to study birds by stuffing them and collecting their eggs. Although this is now illegal, the specimens are of historical significance.

Natural History

Shetland Museum has a small natural sciences collection, strong in the areas of geology and botany. There are type collections of minerals, plants and lichens.  All these are comprehensive, and have been assembled by individual specialists. We do not have naturalists within our staff, so depend on scientists who have worked and collected in the islands, and who later donate assemblages to us.

It is hoped that in future we can build other collections, such as shells and insects. We also have historic specimens of birds and eggs, showing the work of local collectors. The natural sciences collection is small outside the two main areas, although there are diverse specimens found in peat moor or from beaches.  

The Museum has relationships with local geologists and botanists who we can call on for specialist advice.  We are non-active in collecting in this field and emphasis today in Shetland is on studying species in their own habitat contexts.