Seasonal Opening times change for key Visitor Attractions
Published: 08 October 2019
Shetland Amenity Trust have announced that their key Visitor Attractions at Sumburgh Head, Old Scatness Broch & Iron Age Village and the Crofthouse Museum are all now closed for the Winter season. The Shetland Museum and Archives remains open with reduced hours.
Each year across Shetland a wide range of Visitor Attractions close their doors for the season as the number of visitors to the islands dwindle. As of this week, the Shetland Museum and Archives will open from 10am to 4pm from Tuesday through to Saturday, closing on Sundays and Mondays. The Archives will be open on Monday by appointment only and closed on Saturdays.
Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and Visitor Centre has welcomed record numbers this summer and closed for the season at the weekend with a final blast of the foghorn. The Visitor Centre and café are now closed for and will re-open in the Spring. The RSPB Nature Reserve remains open all year round for people to visit and enjoy the dramatic scenery and wildlife.
Old Scatness Broch and Iron Age Village and the Crofthouse Museum at Boddam are also both closed after a successful season. Sandy Middleton, Head of Engagement at the Shetland Amenity Trust said, “We have enjoyed a really good season at all of our visitor attractions welcoming visitors and residents alike. We launched the ‘heritage season ticket’ earlier in the season allowing access to all of our attractions and this has proved popular. It is great to see local people coming back time after time to explore and enjoy these amazing sites.”
During the winter season, the Crofthouse Museum is closed and is now being ‘winterised’ with essential repairs carried out to the thatched roof. Dr. Ian Tait, Curator of the Museum said, “The Crofthouse Museum has recently been upgraded to an ‘A-listed’ building in recognition of its unique heritage value. The traditional roof has to withstand the most challenging of weather and needs regular maintenance and repair. We will be busy in the closed season undertaking planned renovations to ensure that this outstanding 19th Century crofthouse is conserved for future generations.”
During the winter months the Shetland Museum and Archives will be hosting some major exhibitions and running a series of talks and lectures. For more information on opening hours, events and exhibitions see the website at www.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk.
