Fetlar Interpretive Centre

About the museum

The Fetlar Interpretive Centre is a community museum at the Beach of Houbie, in a central position on the island of Fetlar in Shetland. It is run by the Fetlar Museum Trust, a Scottish charity, and holds a four-star VisitScotland visitor attraction award.

The displays cover island history, including an award-winning section on Sir William Watson Cheyne, who built Leagarth House in 1901 and contributed to antiseptic surgery, and the story of Brough Lodge and the Nicholson family, who were responsible for many clearances on Fetlar in the nineteenth century. There are films of Fetlar from the 1930s onwards and recordings of island folklore and music, as well as crofting and peat-flitting tools, knitting and nautical items. Other displays explain the island’s geology, plants and wildlife, with multimedia tools to help identify birds and flowers.

The centre is also an information point with maps and brochures. Walking routes can be recommended by interest, such as geology, archaeology or botany, and a board of recent bird sightings is kept up to date by the RSPB warden.

Highlights

• Section on Sir William Watson Cheyne and antiseptic surgery
• Films of Fetlar from the 1930s
• Crofting and peat-flitting tools, knitting and nautical items
• Geology, flora and fauna displays with bird and flower identification
• Recent bird sightings board

Permanent exhibition

• Fetlar island history and nature – Island history, Sir William Watson Cheyne and antiseptic surgery, crofting tools, knitting, nautical items, films, folklore and displays on geology, plants and wildlife.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Fetlar Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Disabled access is listed by Shetland.org. The centre has toilets available during opening hours.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The centre is at the Beach of Houbie in the middle of Fetlar. Up to eight ferries a day serve the island on weekdays; public toilets are at the ferry terminal at Hamars Ness.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Wireless internet access was free of charge at the time of writing. Toilets are available during opening hours; the island shop and café are separate businesses.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit