New exhibition at Orkney Museum celebrates its recent acquisitions

A new exhibition at Orkney Museum is showcasing a selection of the diverse range of objects that have joined the museum’s collections in recent years. 

'Recent Acquisitions' is open now and runs until the 31 October. 

From archaeological finds and historical artefacts to works of art, photographs and everyday objects, the exhibition highlights the breadth of Orkney’s heritage. Some items tell stories of extraordinary events and individuals, while others offer insights into the lives of ordinary Orcadians across the centuries. 

Some highlights include two Easter eggs inscribed by George Mackay Brown with previously unpublished haiku and two painted leather balls from Ashbourne’s Royal Shrovetide Football, gifted to Orkney in recognition of the Kirkwall Ba and celebrating the link between two communities with long-standing Ba game tradition. 

These objects have arrived in the museum’s care by a variety of routes, including donation, purchase and, in the case of archaeological discoveries, allocation through the Treasure Trove system. Whether recovered through archaeological investigation, preserved by local families, or created by Orcadian artists and makers, each one helps tell the story of Orkney. 

Ellen Pesci, Social History Curator at Orkney Museum, said: 
“Museums are about much more than objects. They’re about the people who made, used and treasured them. Every item in this exhibition has a story, and many of them are here because local families and communities chose to entrust them with us. We’re grateful to everyone who has helped develop the collection, and we’re delighted to be able to put these objects on display.” 

Objects in the Museum Service’s collections are cared for on behalf of the people of Orkney and for future generations. As custodians, the Museum Service is responsible for caring for them, researching them, and sharing their history. 

While the Museum Service cannot promise that every object will go on display, it is committed to caring for everything in its collections. Objects that are not on show can be made accessible on request, and work is ongoing to digitise the collection so that more of it can be explored online. 

Ellen added: 
“Space means we can’t display everything, but every object in the collection is cared for and valued. If there’s something you’d like to see, just ask and we’ll do our best to arrange it. Orkney’s story is still unfolding, and new discoveries, generous gifts and ongoing research keep adding to our understanding of the islands.”