Natural History Room

In this very interesting area you will find a great deal of items concerning the natural history of Yell and its inhabitants. There is the huge jaw of a male sperm whale which was washed ashore on Yell in 1994

Here also, two unfortunate young otters, victims of road kill, stand preserved behind glass, allowing the visitor to see these lovely, shy animals close up. 

You will be able to browse among some important photographic collections which have been donated to the Old Haa, including extensive scenes from the Arctic and Antarctic, and a collection of local stones which reflect Yell’s geology and the materials used to build the Inukshuk statues found in the Garden, and which can be seen from the window in this room. Miniature versions of these statues can be seen in the work of some local children who carried out this geology project with local artist, Mike MacDonnell. They studied the diverse rocks of Yell and produced a booklet about their work. More information about the Geology of Yell can be found on the Geopark Shetland website.

There is also an accessible local sound archive which you can enjoy on the PC located in this room.

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, Shetland Family History Society and Shetland Museum and Archives.

Seasonal exhibitions mainly concentrate on local flora and fauna and the topography of our remote isles.

In this room you will also find the renowned Bobby Tulloch Archive which contains over 14,000 images taken during his wildlife trips from as far afield as Spitzbergen and the Falkland Islands.  

A local man, Bobby Tulloch was appointed as an RSPB representative in the 1960’s, and he went on to become a self-employed wildlife tour guide. A memorial to this self-taught naturalist, lecturer and accomplished photographer stands at the front door of the Old Haa.

 

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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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