Permanent display

Shetland Museum and Archives, Lerwick.

The Crafts of Foragers, offers a captivating glimpse into Shetland’s rich tradition of basket and rope-making using locally foraged plants. The exhibit, now open to the public, includes a small collection of Shetland baskets, highlighting the wide range of native plants historically used to create everyday items essential for life on the islands.

Developed in response to the growing local interest in sustainable practices and the historical use of plants, The Crafts of Foragers delves into Shetland’s past, when plants were skilfully harvested and fashioned into ropes, containers, furniture, and more. Long before the advent of modern materials such as plastic, rubber, and cardboard, Shetlanders relied on their deep knowledge of native plant species, selecting them for their unique properties like strength, pliability, and rot resistance.

The display includes detailed information on a variety of indigenous plants and parts of non-edible grains that were used to create household items, tools and toys. From dock stems woven into fish baskets due to their rot resistance, to heather stems twisted into ropes for water-resistant containers, The Crafts of Foragers celebrates the sustainable, practical, and creative use of local resources.

Shetland Museum and Archives website.