Shetland Textile Museum
Community museum in the historic Böd of Gremista near Lerwick dedicated to Shetland knitting, Fair Isle, lace and other textile traditions.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Shetland Textile Museum is a community museum and, according to its own description, the only museum in the UK that concentrates solely on Shetland's historical and contemporary textiles, especially knitting. The collection is more than 35 years old and now holds over 700 items. The museum is a registered Scottish charity, has been so since 1997, and is an accredited member of Museums Galleries Scotland.
It is housed in the Böd of Gremista, a historic building at the north end of Lerwick. The collection includes Fair Isle and lace knitting, knitwear, Taatit rugs, tools, tweed and pieces by contemporary Shetland makers. A new exhibition is staged each year, and volunteers give demonstrations of knitting and spinning. The shop sells work by local makers, and a virtual tour is available online.
Highlights
- More than 700 textile items
- Fair Isle and Shetland lace knitting
- Taatit rugs, tweed and traditional tools
- Work by contemporary Shetland makers
- Annual exhibition and knitting and spinning demonstrations
Permanent exhibition
- Shetland textile collection – Fair Isle and lace knitting, knitwear, rugs, tools and tweed from Shetland, with work by contemporary makers.
- Founded
- 1996
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £4Over 60s |
| Children & teens | £1Ages 6 to 11 pay £1; no price is published for under-6s. |
| Seniors | £4Over 60s |
| Season pass | £5Published as a seasonal pass priced at £5. |
Prices are those published for the 2025 season.
Accessibility
- Partially 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
Wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor because of the historic building.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus stop on the main road
A bus stop is a few hundred yards away on the main road, and the Town bus to Shetland College runs during term time past the museum.
By car
Free parking
Free parking on site, with ample space.
The museum is 1.7 miles (2.7 km) from the town centre and 0.6 miles (1 km) from Holmsgarth ferry terminal, an easy walk on pavements. A taxi from the town centre costs about £6.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop sells work by local Shetland makers. There are no public toilet facilities at the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Tours can be booked, and groups of up to 20 are welcome if pre-booked; larger groups need to split into smaller parties. Visits outside normal hours can be arranged. |
