Old Haa Museum facts for kids
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| Location | Burravoe, Yell, Shetland |
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| Type | Local and Natural History |
The Old Haa of Brough is a special museum, tearoom, and garden located in the village of Burravoe on the island of Yell in Shetland, Scotland. The building itself is a piece of history! It was built way back in 1672 for a merchant named Robert Tyrie. Today, it tells the story of the local area.
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History of the Old Haa
The main building was constructed for the Tyrie family in 1672, making it over 350 years old. It was once part of a larger property with a courtyard, but the courtyard was later demolished.
Because of its historical importance, the building was officially registered as a listed building on August 13, 1971. This means it is protected so it can be preserved for the future. In 1984, a group called the Old Haa Trust was created. They bought the building with the goal of turning it into the museum that people can visit today.
What to See at the Museum
The Old Haa Museum is filled with interesting things to see. It has rooms dedicated to the natural history, culture, and local history of Yell. There is also an art gallery that shows off the work of different artists and craftspeople, with new exhibitions appearing regularly.
Famous and Unique Items
- The Oldest Piano in Shetland: The museum has a piano that is believed to be the oldest musical instrument in all of Shetland. Part of the money to buy it came from Sir Walter Scott, a famous Scottish writer.
- A World War II Propeller: On January 19, 1942, during World War II, a type of seaplane called a Catalina crashed on a hill near Burravoe. Sadly, seven of the ten people on board died. One of the plane's propellers was recovered and is now displayed outside the museum as a memorial.
- Stone Inuksuks: In the museum's garden, you can see several stone sculptures known as Inuksuks. These are figures made of piled stones, a tradition that comes from the Inuit people of North America.
The Bobby Tulloch Collection
The museum has a special memorial for Bobby Tulloch, who was a famous person from Yell. He was an expert on birds (an ornithologist), a wildlife photographer, and a tour guide. He also wrote books and music.
The museum's image archive has a huge collection of over 16,000 photographs. Many of these were taken by Bobby Tulloch. The collection also includes old glass plate photos from Davie Arthur and pictures from the Maxwell Bruce collection. Besides photos, the museum also has a large archive of sound recordings.
