Tales of the Unexpected
An exhibition for the Between Islands Project
‘Tales of the Unexpected’, our online exhibition asks: ‘What do you think is the most unexpected thing about the islands?’
There are many misconceptions about life in the Outer Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney, past and present. In this exhibition, which is available in both Gaelic and English, we explore the wonderful blend that is our reality, as we draw on innovations, technology, folklore, language and especially the unusual and unexpected!
The exhibition was created by Museum & Tasglann nan Eilean under the auspices of the Between Islands Project, which was devised by An Lanntair and funded through the LEADER 2014-2020 regional cooperation scheme. The project, directed by Alex Macdonald, aims to explore and collectively promote the arts and heritage of the islands of Orkney, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides through collaborative projects, exploring our similarities and celebrating our differences.
As part of this, the museums from each island group worked in partnership to create exhibitions drawing on each other’s collections. It was originally intended that each museum would stage an on-site exhibition simultaneously in summer 2020. As a result of Covid, however, the exhibitions are presented online instead. We hope you enjoy browsing all three exhibitions!
ORKNEY: BETWEEN ISLANDS: culture and life in Atlantic Scotland explores the inspiration and legacy of islands in the arts, crafts and literature of Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides. Island writers, artists and makers are featured, including Harris Tweed.
FAIR GAME sees Shetland Museum and Archives examine three customs which some folk today might think are not ‘politically correct’: hunting seabirds and eggs, whaling and harvesting peat. How did islanders use these resources? Why did they abandon traditions, and what’s to stop their return?
