Treasure Returns to Shetland

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Treasure Returns to Shetland

The Shetland Museum and Archives is looking forward to welcoming the St Ninian’s Isle Treasure back to the isles for three months to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of its discovery.

The treasure was found by a Shetland schoolboy volunteer underneath a medieval church in July 1958, during an excavation on St Ninian’s Isle by Aberdeen University. Consisting of nearly thirty items, it is one of the most important silver hoards found in the UK. Experts think it was probably buried around AD 800, at a time when its Shetland owners feared raids by Vikings.

Since its discovery it has been housed in the National Museum of Scotland, returning only once in 1967 for a short display. Now, as part of a partnership agreement between Shetland Amenity Trust and National Museums Scotland, the treasure will be displayed in the Museum and Archives from 4th July - exactly fifty years since the date of its discovery - to 5th October.

Jane Carmichael, Director of Collections, National Museums Scotland said: “National Museums Scotland is pleased to be lending the St Ninian’s Isle Treasure for display at the Shetland Museum and Archives in this the 50th anniversary year of its discovery. We were delighted to see that The Shetland Museum and Archives was short listed for the Art Fund Prize. The loan is part of our ongoing partnership with Shetland Amenity Trust and working together we will strive to ensure that as many people as possible across the United Kingdom and beyond have the opportunity to appreciate this and other parts of Shetland’s rich heritage.”

Jimmy Moncrieff, General Manager Shetland Amenity Trust, said: “The St Ninian’s Isle treasure is one of the most significant Pictish art treasures ever discovered and has always held a special place in Shetland’s heart. To have it back as the centrepiece of our celebrations to mark the fiftieth anniversary of its discovery is fantastic.”

During the three month loan, Shetland Museum and Archives has organised a series of celebratory events, examining different aspects of the treasure. Activities include a two day conference, daily tours putting the treasure into context, and a range of children’s workshops.

A new range of local products inspired by the St Ninian’s Isle treasure has also been developed for the Museum and Archives shop, through Shetland Amenity Trust’s retail product development programme. Another addition to the shop is a newly updated St Ninian’s Isle Treasure guidebook, a joint publication between Shetland Amenity Trust and National Museums Scotland as part of their ongoing partnership.

Notes to Editors

1. For further information please contact Sita Hughson at Shetland Amenity Trust on 01595 694688 or Susan Gray at National Museums Scotland on 0131 247 4088.

2. The St Ninian’s Isle Treasure is the only surviving complete hoard of Pictish metalwork from Scotland. The hoard demonstrates the wide-ranging connections of the Picts with other groups in Europe.

3. Shetland Amenity Trust and National Museums Scotland have signed a four-year partnership agreement that will boost skills-sharing opportunities and enhance access to the national collections.

4. The Shetland Museum and Archives is part of the wider heritage and culture services provided for Shetland by the Shetland Amenity Trust. Funding for the Shetland Museum and Archives totalling approximately £11.6m comes from the Shetland Charitable Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, Shetland Enterprise, Historic Scotland, Scottish National Heritage, Scottish Arts Council, Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation, Shetland Islands Council and Shetland Amenity Trust.

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