Nairn Museum

Business Details

Explore Nairn's Heritage at Nairn Museum

Established in 1860, Nairn Museum stands as one of the Scottish Highlands' oldest cultural institutions, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of Nairn and Nairnshire. Our mission is to inspire people of all backgrounds through immersive exhibits that explore the town's maritime history, agricultural roots, and military legacy. Housed in the historic Viewfield House, a Regency-era building, we offer a unique journey through time, connecting generations with the stories that shaped this coastal community. Our team comprises a professional Curator-Manager and over 35 dedicated volunteers who ensure our collections remain accessible to all. We actively engage the public through year-round events, family history research support, and community-led initiatives.

As an Accredited Museum and registered charity, we rely on ticket sales, donations, and membership support to maintain our operations. Our governance structure combines professional oversight with community involvement through a board of directors. We are committed to fair work practices, having adopted the Scottish Government's Fair Work First policy, ensuring staff receive the Real Living Wage and fostering an inclusive workplace environment. Through our efforts, we strive to be a vibrant hub for heritage preservation and community engagement.

Services

Museum Exhibits Heritage Exhibitions Community Events Volunteer Programs Membership Benefits

Highlights and features

We have over 160 years of experience preserving local heritage
Our team includes a professional archivist and dedicated volunteers
We offer free entry for children and Friends members
We host year-round events for all ages
We are an Accredited Museum committed to community engagement

Website

Update Listing

Services

Museum Exhibits

Our permanent exhibits showcase Nairn's maritime history through Fishertown culture, agricultural heritage, and military stories from Auldearn to the World Wars. Interactive displays feature local artefacts, archives, and everyday objects that tell the region's story. The museum's collections are continually enhanced through community contributions and archaeological discoveries.

Community Events

We host seasonal exhibitions and year-round events including guided walks, craft workshops, and historical lectures. Our calendar features family-friendly activities during school holidays and special themed events that connect local traditions with contemporary culture. All programs are designed to engage diverse audiences with Nairnshire's living heritage.

Volunteer Programs

Over 35 volunteers maintain daily operations through visitor services, archival research, fundraising, and collections management. We offer opportunities for heritage preservation, genealogy assistance, and event coordination. Volunteers receive training and professional development while contributing to Scotland's cultural heritage. No prior experience is required for most roles.

Membership Benefits

Our Friends membership scheme provides free admission for a year and exclusive updates about museum activities. Members support our charitable mission while enjoying special previews and event invitations. Membership options include individual and family packages, with all children admitted free regardless of membership status.

Genealogy Research

We assist with local ancestry queries using our extensive archives and collections. Volunteers provide guidance for tracing Nairnshire family connections through historical records and photographs. Research support is available in-person and remotely, connecting global visitors with their Scottish heritage through digital resources.

People

Annie MacDonald

Curator

An experienced archivist specialising in accessible heritage presentation, Annie brings expertise in creative history preservation through traditional storytelling and digital media. She leads our collections management and public engagement initiatives.

Doug Maclean

Chair

As board chair, Doug provides strategic leadership for museum governance. He oversees policy implementation and ensures alignment with our charitable mission to preserve Nairn's cultural heritage for future generations.

Jenny Rose-Miller

Treasurer

Jenny manages financial oversight as our charity's treasurer. She ensures fiscal responsibility while supporting fundraising initiatives that maintain our operations and community programs.

Ann Forsyth

Director

Ann contributes to governance and strategic planning as a board member. She supports our commitment to community engagement and heritage preservation across Nairnshire.

Ron Skeldon

Director

Ron serves on the board of directors, helping shape museum policies and ensuring we maintain high standards in heritage presentation and community involvement.

Questions

What are Nairn Museum's opening hours?

We're open Monday-Friday 10am-4:30pm, Saturday 10am-1:30pm. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Closed Sundays and major holidays.

Are there any free entry options?

Children under 16 receive free admission. Friends members also enjoy complimentary access for one year with their membership subscription.

How can I volunteer at the museum?

Contact us via email to discuss available roles. Volunteers help with visitor services, collections management, event planning and more without requiring prior experience.

Is the museum accessible for children?

Yes, we welcome families with interactive exhibits and activity packs. Children under 16 enter free with adult supervision.

What exhibitions are currently featured?

Our permanent displays include maritime history, military heritage and local industry collections. Seasonal exhibitions change throughout the year with special event programming.

How can I support Nairn Museum?

Support options include becoming a Friend member, making a donation, volunteering your time, or leaving a legacy gift in your will.

Reviews (7)

Write a Review

Maree Mcdonough

Sep 28, 2021 Report

Interesting & well put together, great to look back on many years of Nairnshire history. would recommend it for everyone to go. Thanks to all the volunteers who keep the museum going.🙏

Morag Anderson

Sep 24, 2021 Report

Excellent little museum, social distancing and sanitiser in place and such friendly knowledgeable staff. The museum has 2 flights of stairs inside, but there is a stair lift and a wheelchair available for anyone that needs it. Also toilets on Upper floor.
Viewfield park where the museum is sited has tennis courts, bowling, sports centre and community & arts centre. The museum has lots of interesting information and exhibits, loads of local info on what Nairn used to look like. Also exhibits on Nairn's hero's and heroines. Children's room and classroom. A great source of information.

Geoff Darby

Dec 09, 2019 Report

Absolutely brilliant, a good couple of hour's spent and then a terrific cup of coffee across the road.

Jillian Doogan

Jul 16, 2019 Report

Great very interesting and lovely staff. We discovered the museum when geocaching there is lovely beach near by aswell

Tessa Williams

Jun 30, 2019 Report

Many happy times there dont remember not going Mr Cameron MissRae Dr Hurst and a gentalman who was a friend and appered quite often on t.v. think he was a proffeser at one of the Scottage universities

Allan MacIver

Dec 12, 2018 Report

This is an excellent museum with plenty memorabilia from yesteryear. On entrance you are given a warm welcome and are given a small guide of what you can expect to see. The museum is run entirely by volunteers and they have obviously spent a considerable time in making it an interesting place to visit. The military room is quite something with various medals to see, it also tells the story of some of Nairn's war heroes. I was also interested in the archive photo collection they are putting together. I was here for about an hour but I could have spent much more time. The museum is open April until

Dave Carstairs

Jul 14, 2018 Report

This is a small local museum run mostly by volunteers. It is located in Viewfield House, a former grand house in a park sharing its name. There are permanent local history displays on 2 levels but also a ground floor room dedicated to temporary locally themed displays.