New Treasures at the Orkney Museum

This Saturday (26 March 2022) sees the opening of a new exhibition at the Orkney Museum, Tankerness House, Kirkwall.

‘New Treasures’ features artefacts donated to the museum during the last year.

Among the exhibits are an incredibly poignant handkerchief signed by some of the survivors from the HMS Royal Oak, a silver cigarette box from 1925 with engraved signatures of the crew from the HMS Royal Oak, a model of the tug Seefalke, made by local man Andrew Kelday and a silk and lace wedding dress worn by Margaret Leith (nee Isbister) of Kethesgeo, Stenness on her wedding day in 1881.

Social History Curator, Ellen Pesci, has selected the items for display and is delighted to share them with the public: "We are so grateful that people think of us when they’re looking for a new home for their historical objects.

"Every one of these artefacts offers us a little more valuable insight into Orkney’s history, which we can then interpret, display and share with our audience.

"I’m quite certain that the varied nature of the items offered to us over this last year will provide something of interest to everyone.”

‘New Treasures’ is open from 26 March – 30 April. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am-12.30pm, and 1.30pm-5.00pm. Admission is free.

Pictured – Ellen with the handkerchief signed by some of the survivors from the HMS Royal Oak.