The Smiddy Museum & Archive
About This Museum
Tucked away on a quiet lane in St Margaret's Hope, the Smiddy Museum isn't your typical grand museum. It's a place where the scent of old leather and metal still seems to hang in the air, a proper working blacksmith's shop that simply never closed its doors. We've kept it just as it was left, with hammers on the anvil and tools laid out, waiting for the smith to return from his tea break. It feels less like a curated exhibit and more like you've stepped back in time for a chat with the village craftsman.
Collection Highlights
The heart of the collection is the smithy itself—the massive, soot-stained hearth, the bellows that still work, and anvils worn smooth by generations of use. You'll also find delicate pieces of vintage jewellery made here and a fascinating archive of old photographs showing the smiths at work on everything from fancy gate hinges to horseshoes.
Visitor Information
Pop in during the afternoon; it's small, so you won't need more than an hour. The volunteers are usually about, full of stories if you fancy a natter. It’s the kind of intimate spot where you can really get a feel for Orkney's past without any rush.
Architecture & Building
It's housed in a traditional Orcadian stone building, whitewashed and low to the ground to withstand the island winds. The original forge and workshop space is all stone floors and thick walls, with a simple, functional layout built for hard work.
Contact & Location
Address: 5 - 6, Erlend Terrace, South Ronaldsay, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney Islands, Alba / Scotland, KW17 2TP, United Kingdom
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