Shetland Museum and Archives Celebrates the Opening of the Restored Hay's Dock
The Shetland Museum and Archives is today (25th January, 2007) re-opening the restored 19th century Hay’s Dock, over 180 years since it was originally built.
Hay’s Dock is the last remaining area of original dock on the Lerwick waterfront and a category B listed building. With the support of a grant from Historic Scotland it has been sympathetically restored by Shetland-based master builders DITT Construction under the careful supervision of leading conservation architects Nicholas Groves-Raines and conservation engineers Elliott and Company in Edinburgh. It now provides a fitting gateway to the island’s new cultural and historical landmark – Shetland Museum and Archives.
Built in the early part of the 19th Century by Hay and Ogilvy, one of Shetlands leading merchants of the time, Hay’s Dock’s rich history now provides a tangible link to the islands’ maritime heritage.
During its early life, Hay’s Dock was one of the busiest harbours in Lerwick and over the years, became a central focus for Hay and Company’s activities which included fishing, whaling, boat building and repairing and trading.
Following the First World War, Hay’s Dock went into a period of long decline, with many bigger boats landing cargoes in other parts of the Lerwick Harbour and, prior to refurbishment works starting, was used as a small boat harbour.
In the late 1990’s Shetland Amenity Trust bought the dock and, after the decision to re-locate the Shetland Museum and Archives to the Hay’s Dock site, the long process of restoring the dock to its former glory began.
One of the main challenges during the restoration was to restore the structural integrity of the finger pier which had been damaged by a boat. Having considered all options, and taking specialist advice, it was decided to use a groundbreaking technique which involved boring down 8 meters into the bedrock and inserting stainless steel rods and concrete. Once this was done the rest of the pier was authentically restored using stone, wrought iron and lime mortar.
One important benefit of restoring the finger pier is that it acts as a breakwater to protect the Dock, and the Shetland Museum and Archives. Throughout the Museum and Archives project Shetland Amenity Trust has taken expert advice to ensure that the building, and Shetland’s collections, will be protected from the risk of flooding.
Jimmy Moncrieff, general manager of the Shetland Amenity Trust said: “One of the original design parameters for the Museum and Archives was that it would have a relationship with the sea to reflect our strong maritime heritage. The choice of Hay’s Dock was carefully considered and expert advice sought on climate change and its possible effects during the life of the building. All of this was taken into account during both its design and construction and, in fact, the floor level of the building has been raised by an additional half a meter above what the experts recommended. It was important to restore the structural integrity of the Hay’s Dock finger pier to protect and safeguard the dock, the museum and archives and the collections. The ground breaking pylon technique used on the finger pier should ensure it will stand for another 200 years.”
Another exciting challenge was the pier store. Conservation specialists Nicholas Groves-Raines ensured this derelict building was faithfully restored and returned to its original use as a boat gear store. The pier store is thought to be the only surviving example of this building type in Shetland and great care was taken to ensure that only authentic methods and materials were used.
The Boat Sheds were already in excellent condition, with the timber cladding having been replaced in the 1970’s.
Eddie Haston, DITT’s Site Agent, said “The Pier Store was the most interesting aspect, especially the traditional working methods such as forming wooden joints using fish tail joints all pinned with wood. The most challenging aspect was the restoration of the point of the Finger Pier which involved hand building of stonework in tidal conditions. I live in Browns Road and every day I can enjoy looking at the finished work."
Throughout the project workers carefully preserved and recycled as much of the original dock as possible, and the initial clearing of the site uncovered a variety of hidden gems, some of which have now been reconditioned to appear in various parts of the building and dock.
Alan Blain from the Shetland Amenity Trust said: “The restoration of Hay’s Dock was an integral part of the Shetland Museum and Archives project. As the entrance to the islands new cultural facility it was important for us to bring it back to its former glory, so that visitors and future generations can understand what an important part the dock played in Shetland’s history.”
The Shetland Amenity Trust is indebted to: Shetland Charitable Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland and the Shetland Islands Council without whose valuable financial support these restoration works would not have been possible.