STONE
Stone
is Shetland's most widely available local building material. There are some
particularly fine examples of architectural stonework in the old part of
Lerwick but, throughout the Islands the skill of building in stone, often
without mortar, is very much in evidence.
Drystane
dykes are an important element in a landscape largely devoid of trees and,
until the relatively recent advent of concrete, most houses and other
buildings were constructed of local stone.
There are good examples of decorative stone carving in
Shetland, and modern stone sculpture features in the Scalloway Art Trail,
where mosaic, stained glass and wrought ironwork can also be seen. Stone
carving was undertaken not only for decorative purposes; steatite
(soapstone) was also made into bowls, plates, fishing weights and many other
items; the most dramatic prehistoric evidence was found in the quarry at
Catpund, south of Cunningsburgh.
POTTERY, CERAMICS AND GLASS
Although
clay suitable for pottery is found locally, the ropes and quantities of fuel
available limited the growth of a pottery industry and few potters have
worked in Shetland.
However,
ceramic artists produce painted and glazed bowls and create attractive
representational or abstract designs in tile and mosaic, often inspired by
the colours and textures of the landscape.
A
large scale mosaic can be seen at the pumphouse on Victoria Pier, Lerwick.
Exquisite stained glass, designed and produced in the islands, is on display
in buildings much farther afield.
