The creative side of Shetland

Shetland has always prided itself on being a highly creative community. Using time honoured skills and drawing inspiration from their unique surroundings, the islands are home to a flourishing artistic and cultural scene.

Music is at the heart of Shetland’s vibrant culture. Every spring the islands are flooded with musicians from all over the world for its Folk Festival, while the Accordion and Fiddle Festival in October celebrates Shetland’s two most important instruments. You’ll often find local musicians gathering in pubs for impromptu jam sessions and there are many opportunities to join workshops to learn traditional tunes on the fiddle.

Shetland is renowned throughout the world for its distinctive textiles. From painstakingly intricate lace shawls to elaborately patterned Fair Isle jumpers, discover how traditional techniques have been passed down through generations, preserving this distinctive style of knitwear.

Spend hours browsing the boutiques, galleries and gift shops situated in Lerwick’s old town, or venture further afield and follow the Shetland Craft Trail. Enter the workshops and studios of talented local artisans throughout the islands and watch them create unique pieces by hand in wood, pottery, glass, and leather.

Find gorgeous jewellery evoking ancient Norse mythology handcrafted using gem stones, and see stunning boats made by carpenters using similar methods and designs of their Viking forbears in the three-storey boat hall at the Shetland Museum. 

This summer will see the opening of Mareel, the UK’s most northerly music, cinema and creative industries centre. The jewel in the crown of Shetland’s thriving arts scene, the aim of this state-of-the-art building is to both foster and showcase creative talent and will house an auditorium, two cinema screens, educational spaces, and even a recording studio.

With its unique blend of tradition and commitment to pushing artistic boundaries, you’ll find few places more culturally stimulating than in Shetland.