Useful Information 2

Opened in April 1994, Bonhoga Gallery at Weisdale Mill is the first purpose-built visual and applied art gallery in Shetland and the most northerly in the UK, showing a programme of local, national and international art and craft exhibitions. It was one of the key early projects in the work of the Shetland Arts Trust and important in that it centred arts policy outwith Lerwick. Situated on the west side of Shetland, Weisdale Mill was once part of the estate of Flemington known today as Kergord.

Ten shows are held each year in the main gallery with take-away shows of art and craft in the Lower Gallery also changing ten times annually.  A short film programme is shown in the stairwell. An education and outreach programme accompanies most shows.

We have been on our crofts since 1976, working and developing Burland in a traditional and environmental manner. Our main aim is to maintain native Shetland breeds of animals, poultry and crops. Our animals and poultry are very much "free range" where possible and we believe this keeps them healthy and happy, reducing the risk of disease and corresponding medical intervention. All root and grain crops are grown by using organic manure produced on the croft. This traditional land management is very much in tune with nature. We hope you enjoy exploring this site where more details of our Croft Trail experience and everything we produce can be found.

The galleries integrate Shetland’s museum and archives collections for the first time to tell Shetland’s story through time. You will discover Shetland’s journey from its geological beginnings to circa 1800, finishing in the dramatic Boat Hall which spans both floor.  Take time to admire the boats from the viewing balcony before entering the upper gallery to discover historic Shetland.

Wildlife Adventure Cruise around Noss and Bressay with experienced boatman and sea birds and seals guide.
"This is a WORLD-class cliff!" - Frans Lanting, National Geographic photographer, 1994.

One of the most spectacular wildlife sights on Earth is just 40 minutes from Lerwick, the Shetland capital. You won't believe how close we'll take you to the 20,000 Gannets, 25,000 Guillemots, 2,000 Kittiwakes, and hundreds of Puffins, Razorbills, Black Guillemots, Shags and Skuas at Noss National Nature Reserve. Millions of years of wind and ice eroded these ancient desert sandstones into 2km of cliffs, up to 181m high, with thousands of ledges and balconies making perfect nest sites for the seabirds. The stupendous roar of the Noss "choir" is a sound you'll never forget.The air teems with birds flying to and from the feeding grounds. Great Skuas or "Bonxies" swoop in piratical raids on nests, chicks and adults. Underwater, a colour TV camera on our tethered mini submarine can show you birds and fish gliding above the kelp forest.   

This website is dedicated to all those who gave of their lives in the extremely hazardous boat trips between Shetland and Norway, to assist the Norwegian resistance movement. The conditions under which they operated, the difficulties of crossing the North Sea at night, with no lights and far from any possible help, can scarcely be imagined today. Always present in the minds of those on board would have been the threat of discovery and the risk of being shot at by German planes or boats, and possibly captured when they finally reached the Norwegian coast.