SACRED HOUSES: THE MAREEL, SHETLAND ISLANDS, UK

The Shetland Islands, a remote archipelago in the North Sea north of the Scottish mainland, had one cinema, The North Star in Lerwick, which was converted into a music venue in 1989.

In complete transparency, I worked extensively with a band called “Idlewild” during their early days. They were strong advocates for remote concerts in their homeland and played here in 2002 (find that link here). However, there was still a cultural gap when it came to film. It wasn’t until 1996 that local advocates formed a group to revive cinema on the island.
In 1997, the Shetland Islands Council conducted a study that confirmed a strong local demand for a multicultural venue for music and film on the island.
In 2001 Gareth Hoskins Architects, in collaboration with Lerwick’s PJP Architects and builders D.I.T.T., won the design commission. The project was named “Mareel,” which is the Shetland word for phosphorescence on the sea. Although initially scheduled to open in February 2010, the project was delayed until 17th November 2012, when it received its grand opening.

The Mareel, perched on Lerwick’s Hay’s Dock quayside, is the UK’s most northerly music, cinema, and creative hub. And to prove that remote areas need or want entertainment, the venue sold over 100,000 cinema tickets in its first year, well above the projected 39,000. It was described as having “the highest cinema attendance, per head of population, of anywhere in the UK.”

The Mareel screens around 2,500 films annually, encompassing a diverse range of blockbusters, indie films, and classic cinema. In 2013, Mareel earned major accolades, including a RIBA National Award, a RIAS Award, and a selection for the Andrew Doolan Prize. Time Out ranked Mareel #26 among “Planet Earth’s most heavenly cinemas,” applauding its design and dramatic seafront location. In recent years, the cinema briefly closed in January 2020 for projector and laser, as well as audio, upgrades under Scotland’s Cinema Equipment Fund. Today, the venue hosts the annual Screenplay Film Festival, workshops, film‑making courses, residencies, and youth arts.
The Mareel stands as a transformative beacon for Lerwick and Shetland—restoring cinema after a two-decade absence, revitalizing the waterfront, and enriching the region’s cultural and creative life. It’s celebrated both for its architectural finesse and its powerful community impact. Check them out HERE.