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Shetland's craft tradition dates back to the distant past and archaeological excavations show that the earliest inhabitants of these islands made almost all the things they needed from materials which came to hand. Modern artisans still work in leather, metal, wood, stone, pottery, ceramics and glass.

Today, Shetland is probably better known for its knitwear than for any other craft product but local, natural wool is the basis for many other local crafts as well as knitting and lace-making: spinning, dyeing, weaving, and rug-making.

Knitwear
Shetland Knitwear is renowned throughout the world. You can see skilled knitters producing beautiful and complex patterns using traditional designs and methods. Some of the finest lacework in the world is still produced in Shetland from local wool processed and spun by hand.

Jewellery
You can watch fine gold and silver jewellery being made in several workshops. Celtic and Nordic cultures as well as local wildlife are reflected in the pieces which often incorporate Shetland gemstones.

Good examples are Shetland Jewellery which was founded in 1953 and now operates from a small factory at Weisdale. and Fair Isle Silver whose highly sculpted and contemporary Diamond range was awarded the prestigious "Scottish Gift of the Year Award" in 2001".

Woodwork
Furniture, boats, fiddles and spinning wheels are crafted by both professional and amateur woodworkers following a long tradition of working with natural materials.

Other crafts include
Stained Glass, Glassware, Basketwork and Pokerwork.

Bruce Wilcock (picture at left) operates the only working blacksmiths in Shetland, and is based at Hillswick.