Shetland Amenity Trust

09/06/2026

Tucked away upstairs at Shetland Museum and Archives is a beautiful new exhibition showcasing the eleven entries to this year's Rhoda Bulter Award. Each piece offers a unique and thoughtful response to four of Rhoda's poems.

Come along for a closer look👀

04/06/2026

💫Celebrating Volunteers' Week
Recognising the invaluable contribution of the many volunteers who support our heritage work.

Voluntary Action Shetland Volunteering

28/05/2026

🐾Over the weekend, our Shetland Junior Rangers joined expert tracker David Wege for a fascinating exploration of Quendale beach. Together, we searched for the tracks and clues left behind by wildlife - from footprints and feathers to bones and even animal droppings, and worked out the stories that led to them being there.

🦦Along the way, we didn’t just learn how to tell an otter from a dog; we also discovered how to read movement and behaviour, including how fast animals had been travelling. Finding feathers from species like Great Northern Diver highlighted how tracking can give an insight into the importance of a site, even when the animals themselves aren’t in sight.

🐬And as if that wasn’t enough, we were treated to an incredible wildlife moment: two harbour porpoises feeding just metres from the shoreline!

🌍Special thanks to David Wege for leading such an engaging session. David is a tracker, nature educator, and conservationist, and we’re very grateful for the knowledge and enthusiasm he shared with our Junior Rangers.

21/05/2026

The inspiration behind the slouchy silhouette of Helen Robertson's the Shetland Wool Week Birsie Beanny.

20/05/2026

Make sure you visit 'Outwith: Valda, MacDiarmid and Whalsay' Shetland Museum and Archives before it closes on 20 June!

15/05/2026

Lots of events lined up Sumburgh Head Lighthouse & Visitor Centre next week!

📷To book your space on the Vintage Photography Brownie-Fest workshop visit
https://shetlandamenitytrust.littleboxoffice.com/

13/05/2026

Learn more about how Whalsay shaped the poetry of Hugh MacDiarmid.

Outwith: Valda, MacDiarmid and Whalsay is on display in Da Gadderie at the Shetland Museum until 20 June.

09/05/2026

🙌 An amazing community effort at Sound Primary School this morning with support from Rural Skills class and SAT’s Woodlands Team.

🌳 This is part of the local tree planting initiative that we run in partnership with Free Tree Packs for Schools and Community Groups.

06/05/2026

🌱Last month, we returned to Aith Junior High School to sow wildflower seeds across three prepared areas – and what a fantastic team effort it was!

Led by Paul from our horticulture team, eight classes (from nursery right through to S3) got involved in raking, sowing, rolling, and watering the seeds.

It might look like bare soil just now, but there’s plenty happening beneath the surface.

🌼All areas were first sown with Yellow rattle, being hemi parasitic on grass species, it will hopefully reduce its vigour and give wildflowers the space they need to thrive.
🌼Two areas were seeded with a variety of native wildflower mix.
🌼A third area was split into strips of Red clover and Devil’s-bit
scabious - helping us grow seed for future projects.
🌼 Clover plugs were added to one meadow, while Bird’s-foot trefoil and primrose were planted into an ‘invertebrate bank’.

The seeds used were collected from roadsides across Shetland last year. Together with Species on the Edge we’re building a supply of native wildflower seeds suited to Shetland’s unique climate and soils, helping to restore vital habitats for pollinators across the islands.

Everyone had a great time and a huge thank you to teacher Emily Tulloch for her energy and seamless organisation.

🌸We can’t wait to see these areas come into bloom.

Edge

Shetland Islands Council
RSPB Shetland

04/05/2026

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse & Visitor Centre is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week with a range of activities.

📆 Monday 11 - Sunday 17 May.

See details below ⬇️

Mental Health Awareness Week at Sumburgh Head
Monday 11th - Sunday 17th May

Everyone is welcome at Sumburgh Head Lighthouse for a week of connection, reflection, and wellbeing as we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week.

Set against Shetland’s dramatic coastal landscape, this programme of gentle activities invites you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and take time for yourself. Whether you’re looking for fresh air, quiet mindfulness, or a chance to meet others, you’re warmly welcome to take part in as much or as little as you like. No booking required.

🔹Monday 11th May - Guided Nature Walk
10:00am | Meet at Sumburgh Hotel Car Park
Start the week with a refreshing guided walk from Jarlshof to Sumburgh Head, led by Howard Towll from . This free coastal walk is a chance to enjoy the scenery, learn about Shetland wildlife and connect with others at a relaxed pace. Tea / coffee included.

🔹Thursday 14th May - Let There Be Light
10:30am or 2:30pm | Visitor Centre
Discover the story behind Sumburgh Head Lighthouse in this short, uplifting talk exploring its construction and history. A perfect opportunity to pause, learn something new, and enjoy a warm drink in good company. Tea / coffee included.

🔹Saturday 16th May - Auk Walk
10:00 - 10:45am | Meet at Sumburgh Head Car Park
Take a slow, mindful stroll around Sumburgh Head Nature Reserve, spotting Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills and more. This is a full sensory experience - listen to the calls, take in the sea air, and immerse yourself in the vibrant seabird colonies.

🔹Sunday 17th May - Birding With A Brew
10:00 - 11:00am | In the Observatory
Enjoy a complimentary hot drink while taking part in relaxed wildlife watching. “Birding with a Brew” is all about slowing down and appreciating the rich variety of seabirds and wildlife that call Sumburgh Head home during the summer months.