Extension for St Ninian’s treasure

THE SHETLAND Museum is to celebrate housing the St Ninian’s Isle treasure for 10 days longer than expected with a day of free activities tomorrow.

The treasure is now due to go back to Edinburgh on 14th October rather than the 4th as originally planned. Between 11am and 3pm treasure themed activities include excavating a mock site, having a go at silver embossing and short tours putting the treasure into context.

Visitors can delve a little deeper with a chance to handle the replicas and quiz the curators about the treasure and Shetland Jewellery will be demonstrating how they make their silver jewellery inspired by the treasure.

Meanwhile, plans are underway for the Gunnister Man, the preserved body of a 17th century man found in a peat bog in Northmavine in 1951, to be loaned to Shetland next year.

Lifelong learning officer Kirsty Clark said: “We’ve organised lots of fun activities that will suit all ages. They’re designed to allow visitors to experience different aspects of the treasure from archaeology to jewellery making.”

The treasure came back to Shetland for the summer as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its discovery and thousands of visitors have been to the museum and archives since it arrived.

National Museums Scotland (NMS,) which holds the treasure in its Edinburgh collection, loaned it as part of a partnership agreement between itself and Shetland Amenity Trust.

Amenity trust general manager Jimmy Moncrieff said: “It is fantastic to have the treasure in Shetland for a little while longer, and I hope those who have not yet seen it take this final opportunity to see it at the museum and archives.

“The celebratory day also allows everyone to come along and learn more about this wonderful discovery. Our partnership agreement with NMS is proving very successful, with many joint projects. The big loan for 2009, for which preparations are already underway, will be the Gunnister Man.”