Welcome

Some of our exhibits are designed to interest children (of all ages!) while illustrating local maritime history or heritage and many of the items on display are meant to be touched.

You can also let children try their hand at net making or tying a variety of knots with the help of one of our staff. Children can be taught to tie basic knots and shown amusing novelty knots like the "Highwayman's Hitch", said to be used by Dick Turpin to tie up his horse when he was expecting to have to make a speedy departure!

The mock up of a Creel Boat Wheelhouse is a favorite play area and gives some indication of the type of navigational equipment found in today's’ small boats around Orkney.

The modern echo sounder and sonar systems are a far cry from the length of weighted piano wire, used to locate shoals of herring by the old ring netter's working in Scottish waters in the dead of night.