Wooden boatbuilding

John T. Laurenson, fisherman and boatbuilder, 1876-1950

Back in July I met the grandson of the Burra boatbuilder John Thomas Laurenson, who also happens to be called John. Over a cup of tea...

Tales fae da Noost

During our Caain da Noosts lockdown project we have been delighted to receive stories from across Shetland. What follows next are just a ...

Ness Yoal builders: chips and shavings by Dr Adrian Osler

Bare mention of the Ivy LK237 is quite sufficient to throw this author back over forty years in time, to a couple of days of dank summertime

Ness Yoals

The Ness yoal is a type of six-oared boat, originally designed and used for commercial dorro (handline) saithe fishing. ...

Learn About Fishing Boats of Viking Origin.

...Whilst in Eastbourne I became interested in the comparison between vernacular fishing boats from nearby Hastings with those from ...

Ruminations on Rudders… Dr Adrian Osler

This months' guest journal post is written by eminent Shetland boat researcher Dr Adrian Osler. ...

Conserving a Rare Museum Treasure

Read about the conservation of this unusual Norwegian færing which has been modified for use in Shetland. This boat was used during WWII ...

Boats in sheds on Whalsay

An amazing, fun day out on Whalsay looking at historic boats that are resting in sheds.

Stop the Rot!

In my opinion there is nothing sadder than seeing a traditional Shetland boat lying in its noost, slowly rotting away. Sadly many of...