Skeklers Magnet

The Shetland Museum Photo Archive contains over 60,000 images depicting Shetland life, heritage and culture dating back to the 1800s. This magnet features one such photo from 1909 featuring a group of Skeklers in costumes made from Straw.

Until the mid-1800s, and into the 1900s in the Shetland islands of Yell, Unst and Fetlar, it was a tradition for guizers known as 'skeklers' to visit houses late in the year. Dressed in straw suits, wearing hats that hid their faces, they would turn up unannounced and dance with householders who gave them food and drink in return.

Magnet size: 78 x 53mm