An exhibition on Scotland’s coasts featuring photographs and illustrations from Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) archives will go on display at the Shetland Museum and Archives on Saturday 29 February as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters.

The exhibition explores the Viking era, fishing and oil industries, 19th century seaside holiday makers, coastal castles, industrial heritage and lighthouses. The archives span pre-historic times to the modern day and gives visitors an insight into how important the coast has been to life in Scotland.

The exhibition features architect’s drawings, Edwardian holiday snaps and unique images taken by HES’s survey photographers.

The National Record of the Historic Environment spans a vast range of buildings, archaeological monuments and industrial maritime sites to give an unparalleled view of Scotland’s past and is maintained by HES.

Jane Thomas, Research and Exhibitions Manager at HES, said:

“For 5,000 years we have lived, worked and played along the coast, and Scotland’s Coasts exhibition celebrates this. From the inventiveness and resilience of Scotland’s early settlers to imaginative solutions for living with a changing climate, our close relationship to our coasts and waters is evident throughout the exhibition.”

Shetland Museum and Archives

Dr Ian Tait, curator of Shetland Museum and Archives, said:

“This is a great opportunity for people to see this rigorously researched and attractive touring exhibition that’s come to us through the Year of Coasts and Waters. We have a lot of coastline here, and life has depended on it for thousands of years. Come and see the show to discover how we fit into the bigger picture.”

The exhibition will open on Saturday 29 February at the Shetland Museum and Archives, running until Sunday 17 May and is free to enter.

Scotland’s Coasts will tour the following sites throughout 2020 and 2021:

• Fort George: 25 May – 25 August 2020
• Arbroath Abbey: 31 August – 30 November 2020
• Aberdour Castle: 5 December 2020 – 28 February 2021
• Stanley Mills: 13 June – 30 August 2021