Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Explore Highland Heritage at West Highland Museum
Founded in 1922, our museum stands as a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of the West Highlands. Our journey began with Victor Hodgson's vision to preserve the region's unique stories, and today we continue this legacy as an Accredited Museum and independent charity. With collections spanning Jacobite risings, Highland life, and military history, we offer immersive exhibits and educational programs designed to inspire curiosity and connection. Our dedicated team of professionals and volunteers ensures the highest standards of curation and community engagement.Through innovative exhibitions and digital resources, we bring Scotland's past to life for local and global audiences. Our ongoing redevelopment project reflects our commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and preserving history for future generations. As a registered charity, every donation and visitor supports our mission to share these treasures with the world.
Services
Museum Exhibitions
Guided Tours
Educational Workshops
Online Collections
Temporary Exhibits
Details
- Year established: 1922
Highlights and features
- We have over 100 years of experience preserving Highland heritage
- Our Accredited Museum status ensures professional curation standards
- Community-driven approach with extensive volunteer involvement
- Unique Jacobite collection unmatched in Scotland
- Award-winning educational programs for schools and families
Associations and certifications
- Accredited Museum
What people say
Exceptional Jacobite collection
Engaging family activities
Knowledgeable volunteers
Well-preserved history
Free admission
Services
Museum Exhibitions
Our permanent exhibitions showcase over 150 years of Highland history through Jacobite relics, military artifacts, and cultural objects. Visitors explore themed galleries featuring the Bonnie Prince Charlie collection, Victorian-era items, and archaeological finds. The exhibits combine traditional curation with interactive elements for an engaging educational experience.
Guided Tours
Expert-led tours provide in-depth insights into our collections for groups of 10+. Tailored options cover Jacobite history, local archaeology, or military heritage. Our volunteer guides share specialist knowledge while connecting exhibits to broader historical contexts for an enriched visitor experience.
Educational Workshops
Cross-curricular workshops support national curriculum requirements for primary and secondary students. Hands-on sessions use authentic artifacts and replicas to teach history, archaeology, and cultural studies while developing critical thinking skills through historical analysis.
Online Collections
Our virtual museum platform provides global access to 3D object models, historical documents, and exhibition guides. The interactive map connects artifacts to their geographical origins while educational games make Highland history accessible to remote learners of all ages.
Temporary Exhibits
Rotating exhibitions highlight specific themes or newly acquired collections throughout the year. Recent displays have featured Jacobite portraiture, Highland emigration stories, and World War II commando operations. These exhibits often coincide with public lectures and community events.
People
Vanessa Martin
Curator Manager
Vanessa leads our curatorial team with 15 years of museum experience, specializing in Highland archaeology and cultural heritage preservation.
Sonja McLachlan
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Sonja manages our 100+ volunteer team, bringing expertise in community engagement and heritage education programs for local residents.
Professor Hugh Cheape
President
Emeritus Professor of Conservation Studies with specialist knowledge of Scottish material culture and museum governance practices.
Ian Peter MacDonald
Board Chair
Chartered accountant and heritage trustee overseeing financial stewardship and strategic development for the museum's future.
Karen Dean
Audience Engagement Officer
Karen develops inclusive programming with 10 years' experience creating accessible museum experiences for diverse visitor groups.
Questions
Is entry to the museum free?
Yes, admission is free with voluntary donations welcome to support our charitable work.
Can I book a guided tour?
Group tours require advance booking for parties of 10 or more through our website.
Are there educational resources for schools?
We offer curriculum-linked workshops, outreach programs, and digital learning materials for all school levels.
How can I support the museum?
Support options include donations, membership, volunteering, object sponsorship, and legacy gifts.
Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
We provide stairlifts and accessible facilities though some historic areas remain challenging to access.
Do you have temporary exhibitions?
Yes, we host regular special exhibitions focusing on specific historical themes or newly acquired collections.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Gazza Bear
Jan 16, 2022
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Had a fantastic morning in this museum. The wee woman and 2 gentleman were very informative and it was a pleasure to meet them . The history here brought a lump to my throat. A must visit.
Paul A.
Sep 16, 2021
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I love little local museums like this and this one is fantastic. Great collection of interesting stuff well displayed in an old building and staffed by friendly staff and to top it all it is free to enter. Only downside is that the toilets are currently closed to maintain covid safety. Splendid way to pass an hour while in town.
Melanie Araujo
Jun 07, 2020
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Very thankful to have visited this museum. The first thing that made me love the place is the staff, a very nice man, I think the owner or manager of the place gave us a very quick tour (we only had 15min to spare) based on our history interest - the jacobites & Bonnie Prince Charlie. He was so passionate and kindly gave us fun facts and explanations about what kind of artillery was used during combats and explained us about the story of the masterpiece of the museum and why it is painted as it is. I wont tell you more because you should go !!
Barbara Johnson
Mar 18, 2020
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Have visited this lovely little Museum on a few occasions when attending the November event for Spein Bridge Commando Memorial. We love the whole atmosphere of the little Town and its residents. Staff at the Museum are always helpful with local and historical information. Only small as Museums go, yet a wealth of information from the lovely friendly staff. Well worth a visit.
