A Viking Longhouse will be constructed in Unst to provide visitors and residents with a fuller appreciation of life in Viking times. Its design will be based on the excavated archaeological remains, bringing to life the remains of house sites visible along the Viking Trails
The methods of reconstruction of the longhouse will be recorded, providing an insight into traditional building techniques as well as archaeological fieldwork and interpretation. There will be opportunities for local residents to learn the basics of turf roofing and dry stone dyking, both dying skills in Shetland today. The finished longhouse will provide a unique opportunity to see a reconstructed rural farmstead typical of the Viking period in Britain, comparable with those found elsewhere within the North Atlantic region.
In addition, the longhouse will serve as a venue for Viking events and activities
Work on the longhouse will begin in late 2008