Weisdale Mill

Weisdale Mill

Weisdale Mill was built in 1855 as the largest corn mill in Shetland. It lies on the single track B9075 half a mile north of the head of Weisdale Voe, which bites deeply into the neck that helps define Shetlands West Mainland.

Textile Working Museum Display Examples of Products Shetland Textile Working Museum

It is said that the stone from which the mill was built was reclaimed from the homes of 300 crofters "cleared" from the estate to make room for much more profitable (for the landowners) sheep rearing. It was certainly built on a grand scale that supports the suggestion its designers were not worried about the cost of materials.

In the 1990s work was undertaken to restore what had by then become a derelict building to what you see today. The restoration, which opened in 1994, was superb, the only slight tinge of regret being the very obvious absence of a mill wheel from the mill: it would originally have occupied the annex on the facing end of the building in the header image.

Weisdale Mill Sign

Today the mill finds use as home to three related ventures. The top floor is the Bonhoga Gallery, which shows a series of exhibitions of local, national and international art and craft annually. An education and outreach programme accompanies some of the shows. It also hosts a touring programme of exhibitions at a number of venues throughout Shetland.

The mill is also home to the Shetland Textile Working Museum, which is operated by the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers. Here demonstrations take place, and visitors can view an extensive collection of textiles which show the history of spinning, knitting and weaving in Shetland from ancient times to today. The third component of the mill is the Mill Cafe, which extends out from the side of the Mill overlooking the Burn of Weisdale.

Bonhoga Gallery