Lower History Room

The Lower History Room houses a wide selection of local artefacts, providing a unique opportunity to look into Yell’s social history.

The lives of local people are depicted through their possessions which have been donated or loaned to the museum by their various families. You will have the chance to share a little of the way of life in past times in this atmospheric and fascinating area. 

There are items from the collection of the late Professor Gordon Donaldson who maintained close links with Yell. His parents came from Burravoe, in Yell, and he was professor of Scottish History and Palaeography at Edinburgh University from 1963 to 1979.

There is also memorabilia from the renowned storyteller, Brucie of Arisdale.

 An insight into the history of the island of Yell is summarised in this permanent exhibition which includes artefacts from war and peace time, including the Jackdaw, the Bohus, the Kantonella , the Catalina, the Spitfire which crashed in north Yell during world War 2 and much more.

There is memorabilia from the Greenland and South Georgia Whaling, the Herring fishery, the Haaf fishing and the deep sea collections of several generations of Yell men. There is crofting, and lifestyle memorabilia, reflecting life in bygone Shetland and the rich heritage of the islands.

Cathy’s Corner allows you to browse a large selection of archive material in book form, including historic Yell census records.

If you would like to find out more about your family tree, there is a chance to look into your genealogy, where you can look up North Isles Family History records.

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The local Yell Community helps to raise funds, and although admission to the museum is free, donations are always very welcome.

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