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J D Rattar's photographs demonstrate "extraordinary talent"

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Shetland - Then and Now⁠ ⁠ For more than a century, the landscapes, seascapes, wildlife and people of Shetland have captivated photographers. One of them was John D Rattar, born 150 years ago. His lifetime’s work forms an extraordinary record of the islands and its people.⁠ ⁠ We have compared the landscape images he took in the early 1900s with photos taken today of the same places. Some of the differences are fascinating to notice. ⁠ ⁠ The 'A Time to Keep: J D Rattar - 150 Years of Photography in Shetland' exhibition is on show at the @shetlandmuseum until Sunday October 11th and a calendar and book featuring Rattar’s photography is coming soon, both produced by @shetlandheritage⁠ ⁠ To read the full blog about JD Rattar, comment "A Time to Keep" and we will send you the link.⁠ ⁠ 📸Image(s) of JD Rattar's work courtesy of Shetland Museum and Archives⁠ 📸Image(s) from 2026 courtesy of Austin Taylor⁠

Shona Skinner, artist and owner of The Shetland Gallery, tells Kate Humble why having an art gallery for local artists is so important.⁠ ⁠ See the full film on our Youtube by clicking the link in bio.

Just 10 days until the start of Wool Week! Have you got your knitting needles at the ready?🧶⁠ ⁠ @shetlandwoolweek is an annual festival celebrating our wool and knitwear heritage, the farming community that produce the wool, and the islands' many designers and makers. The festival includes an extensive range of exhibitions, classes and events. These include weaving, spinning, dyeing, Fair Isle and lace knitting, as well as many other fascinating subject areas.

When Douglas Coutts was just a young boy, he was involved in an archeological dig on St Ninians Isle in the South Mainland of Shetland. It was thought that the site was once a medieval chapel, and was perhaps even a different chapel much earlier than that too. ⁠ ⁠ When Douglas was carefully scraping away at the clay-like soil, he bumped into something. After more exploration, this turned out to be a stack of bowls thought to have been left behind long ago, perhaps during a Viking raid! ⁠ ⁠ "It was quite a thought to think that somewhere about 800AD somebody hid that box in here and then I came along in 1958 and lifted the lid."⁠ ⁠ For the full story, read the blog post linked in our bio, or, head over to our Youtube.

Sometimes the weather can disrupt your plans, but that shouldn't stop you from having a great day out! Here is a short list of things you can do on a rainy day in Shetland. ⁠ ⁠ For 15 more rainy-day ideas, click the link in bio.

A poem written by Amelia Brown on her summer adventure in Shetland: ⁠ ⁠ A Tirrick and a Soothmoother Meet on a Bog⁠ ⁠ A screech⁠ the startled flap of wings⁠ as she dives at me⁠ with outstretched orange beak⁠ ⁠ With my hands held above my head⁠ we meet here in Shetland⁠ me, a soothmoother,⁠ her, a summer tourist from the North⁠ ⁠ And yet, ⁠ the meaning in her piercing cries is loud and clear⁠ for now, ⁠ this is my home⁠ let me be in peace⁠ ⁠ Thank you, Amelia, for sharing your lovely poem and adventures around Shetland using the Shetland 100 checklist.