Skekler's Hat

It was a tradition in Shetland for groups of guizers known as 'skeklers' to visit houses late in the year. Dressed in straw suits and wearing hats that hid their faces they would turn up unannounced and dance with householders who gave them food and drink in return.

Made from oat straw this is a re-creation of a traditional 'skeklers' hat with lengths of decorative ribbons hanging from its top. The facepiece, which is sewn onto the bottom of the hat, has been made from a piece of undyed muslin. The facepiece was worn whenever entering a house to hide the 'skeklers' identity.

The tradition of 'skekling' carried on until the mid 1800s, and into the 1900s in the islands of Yell, Unst and Fetlar. Similar customs are referred to in 13th century Icelandic Sagas.