THE OLD HAA MUSEUM
The Old Haa is a museum, garden and tearoom in the island of Yell in Shetland. Hosting a collection of historic objects, and an archive alongside a programme of contemporary arts and crafts exhibitions, the museum is free and open to all.
OPENING HOURS - Open from 6th April until 5th October 2025.
The Old Haa is open:
- Monday to Saturday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
- Sunday: 2pm - 5pm
Bus booking is helpful for parties of under 10 but is essential for parties over 10 due to the requirement for extra staff. There is an admission charge of £3 per head for these larger groups. Please e-mail bookings to [email protected] or [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance.
The Garden is open all year round
FREE ADMISSION but donations are always very welcome via collection boxes or our "Donate" page
- FREE WIFI
- Telephone: 01957 701 153
THE MUSEUM
THE TEAROOM
By a lovely old fireplace adorned with creusie lamps and old fashioned fire irons, you can sit and enjoy a welcome cup of tea or coffee in relaxed surroundings. There is a good choice of home baked cakes, locally known as fancies, which are freshly made by the Museum Assistant.
Staff on duty can be a great source of information relating to many of the displays in the Old Haa, and they will spend time with you should you want to know more about the Old Haa and what is on offer.
Visit the Tea Room
SHOP
The shop is now housed within the original cafe area and still displays a range of souvenirs and locally produced goods. The room that was the shop now contains extra seating to aid with social distancing and gives a view of the wonderful garden
Discover MORE
Accessibility
Although there is limited disabled access to the Old Haa due to the nature of the old building, the garden is easily accessed via the side of the museum. If you have specific accessibility needs please do contact the Old Haa to discuss them prior to your visit.
- Contact: The Museum Assistant
- Contact Number: 01957 722 339
THE GARDEN
This lovely, sheltered space has been carefully landscaped and tended over the years and is now a well-established, walled haven of peace and beauty. It can be enjoyed from the seating area or the walkways There are picnic tables where you are welcome to enjoy your coffee or your picnic lunch.
The garden has been chosen to site the Inuksuit Statues which were built as part of a geology project with local children from the Burravoe Primary School, and led by local artist, Mike McDonnell.
SEE THE GARDEN
Scottish Field
The Old Haa contains a wealth of fascinating information about the history of life on Yell, a lovely garden and a coffee shop from Lord Lamont’s “Ten Things to Visit in Shetland".
Northlink Ferries
The Old Haa was quite amazing, packed with historical artefacts, natural history, and items relating to important events on Yell. As well as being a fascinating museum that we could have spent hours in, there is also a tearoom, gallery and shop within the Old Haa, and we received a wonderful welcome from the custodian. The homebakes at the Old Haa are fantastic, and we enjoyed eating these whilst exploring the lovely garden outside. Also outside in the garden there is a display of rock sculptures (which serves as a great way to become familiar with the unique geology of the island), a memorial to Yell naturalist Bobby Tulloch, and the propeller from a Catalina aircraft which crashed nearby in 1942.
Visitor from Yell
Brilliant as always.
Visitor from Whalsay
Loved it. Great history and excellent hospitality.
Visitor from Dublin
Love the place - fantastic collection of historical data.
Visitor from Australia
Excellent museum. One of the best. Lovely garden.
Visitor from Germany
Enjoyed the tea, the talks and the museum.
Promote Shetland
The Old Haa museum and heritage centre at Burravoe is one of the best of its kind. A fascinating permanent exhibition on the history and folklore of Yell is complemented by annual displays on different local themes, a gallery showing the work of local professional and amateur artists, a craft shop and a home-bakes café in the style of a traditional croft house interior.
Events and Venue Hire
Events such as weddings can be held at the Old Haa out-with normal opening hours, either indoors or in the garden, which can provide a stunning setting for wedding photographs.
The Old Haa is also available for public performances and workshops, and occasional musical events have taken place with prior arrangement.
Bus tours from near and far are able to visit the Old Haa, although advance notice is required.
The Old Haa is also involved in Shetland Wool Week, an event which is growing in popularity worldwide.
ALL EVENTSlatest blog
Natural History Room by Derek Ormiston
The wonderful photos in the Natural History Room have been taken by Derek Ormiston. You can read about his passion for Yell and Shetland as a whole in the text below. Copies of some of these are for sale in the Old Haa.- #derekormiston#rowanormiston#oldhaa#oldhaamuseum#yell#shetland
- 03 APRIL 2025
Catalina Z2148 Crashed 19th January 1942
Our upstairs exhibition for 2025 commemorates the crash of Catalina Z2148 in the hill of Arisdale in January 1942 which was a cold, dark and snowy winter night . It tells of bravery, heroism, compassion and loss of life.- #oldhaa#oldhaamuseum#ww2#worldwar2#catalina#crash#catalinacrash#yell#shetland
- 30 MARCH 2025
2025 season
We open on 6th April at 2pm and can't wait to see you in 2025.- 17 MARCH 2025
