Scottish Heritage Archive
Museums & Heritage Centres
Scottish Wanderlust
Discover the unique collection of early medieval stones carved in the 9th-11th centuries to commemorate the power of those who ruled the Kingdom of Strathclyde. One of Glasgow’s most important historical and cultural assets, explore the 31 monuments within the beautiful setting of Govan Old Church.
Scottish Wanderlust Book Club
Walk in the footsteps of the original Crannog dwellers and immerse yourself in village life with original artefacts; demonstrations of textiles, cooking and ancient crafts & technologies; paddle into prehistory in one of our replica logboats and take in the atmosphere inside the Crannog Roundhouse.
Scottish Wanderlust Kitchen
Working to safeguard a fragile, significant Scottish community. This remote and haunting land has a history which stretches back to the very first inhabitants of Scotland, and it was once the thriving hub of an illicit whisky industry. An exciting regeneration project to develop a working historical distillery and heritage centre will be the first to tell the ‘secret’ story of illicit whisky distilling and smuggling.
Tarbat Discovery Centre
To keep alive the interest in Scotland’s past by providing a dynamic, educational and visually appealing visitor centre in the Highlands of Scotland. The centre is home to a collection of unique and ancient artefacts, objects, specimens and related documentation. The story is still evolving as the links are made to other archaeological sites around Scotland.
Garioch Heritage Centre
Since 1987, the Garioch Heritage Society has been collecting artefacts and information relating to the history of the Garioch from its earliest times to the present day. We are delighted to have now been given the opportunity to make it all available to a wider public in this iconic building.
Strathnaver Museum
Discover the vibrant culture, inherited from Norse and Gaelic ancestors. Strathnaver Museum is a heart which keeps the blood of tradition pumping; sustaining and preserving it for future generations.
Groam House Museum
This museum is free and renowned for its display of Pictish carved stones. They were originally part of the vibrant early Christian monastic settlement here, around 1200 years ago. The artistic skills of the Picts inspire all age groups. The museum always has activities for children and families. We also regularly hold arts and crafts events in the village, with outreach sessions across the Black Isle and beyond.
Kilmartin Museum
Kilmartin Glen is one of the world’s most significant archaeological landscapes. Sites including Stone Circles, Standing Stones and Rock Art abound.
For 20 years, Kilmartin Museum has been discovering, caring for and sharing stories of artefacts from this special place. Visit Kilmartin Museum and Kilmartin Glen and join us on a journey through 6,000 years of history.
Cromarty Courthouse Museum
This elegant Grade A listed former courthouse, built in 1773, now houses fascinating exhibitions about the historic town of Cromarty and the neigbouring parish of Resolis. The Courthouse is more than just one of the oft-photographed eighteenth century buildings and tourist attractions in Cromarty, it is the repository for the cultural heritage of the town.
Wick Heritage Museum
The Wick Heritage Museum is located in the heart of the Thomas Telford designed Pulteneytown. Situated in premises that were once home to a number of businesses and families in Bank Row, the somewhat rambling building is something of an 'Aladdin's Cave'.
Devil's Porridge Museum
The Devil’s Porridge Museum commemorates HM Factory Gretna, the largest munitions factory in the world during the First World War and explores the stories of the Solway Military Coast during the Second World War and beyond. The museum uses artefacts, information panels, film and audio, photographs and oral histories to bring the fascinating history of this Border area to life!
Glasgow Police Museum
The Glasgow Police Museum is an independent museum set up and manned by volunteer members of The Glasgow Police Heritage Society (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No. SC029614). It is supported entirely by public donations.
Timespan Museum
The Timespan Museum in Caithness tells the local and social history of the local parish and people, taking you on a journey from the sea and river mouth, upstream and inland to the Strath of Kildonan. From the herring industry, to the Clearances, to Pictish mythology and more. The history of the parish is one of remarkable resilience and an intimate enduring relationship with ancient land and sea.
Finlaggan Visitor's Centre
A few miles to the south-west of Port Askaig on the island of Islay lies Loch Finlaggan, a place of great importance in Scottish history.
The Lords of the Isles were descended from Somerled, a 12th century “prince”, and these lords, the chiefs of Clan Donald, chose Finlaggan as their home and the centre of their Lordship, so that Islay is often referred to as the Cradle of Clan Donald.
Bennachie Visitor's Centre
On the eastern edge of the Grampian mountain range, Bennachie is one of the north-east of Scotland's most recognisable landmarks.
From its highest summit of Oxen Craig at 528 metres to Millstone Hill and its most popular peak, Mither Tap, history abounds in this ancient landscape.
Dunbeath Heritage Museum
Dunbeath Heritage Centre provides a focus for the work of Dunbeath Preservation Trust: a research base; a repository for research data, manuscripts, photographs and items of local material culture; an exhibition and interpretation space; a venue for lectures, storytelling and workshops; a gathering place for local people and visitors - young and old - alike
Laidhay Croft Museum
Laidhay is a two hundred year old rush thatched Caithness longhouse just north of Dunbeath, and is a typical example of the older style of Caithness croft dwellings. It incorporates the modified longhouse of the main building – the dwelling, with the stable and byre at each end, the detached barn with the original cruck roof and a cart shed to the south. There is also a modern shed, with the museums large collection of farming implements.
Mary Ann's Cottage
Mary-Ann's cottage is just a few miles from the most northerly point on the UK mainland - Dunnet Head in Caithness. This croft which was built in around 1850 has been preserved as it was lived in by Mary-Ann Calder, who until she was 89 lived in the croft and cooked using peat over an open range fire. The cottage has not changed much since the 1930's or earlier
Museum of Communication
In January 1992, the Museum of Communication Foundation Trust (MoCFT) was established, to provide a forum for people interested in communications and also to study the development of communication and IT, with emphasis on collecting, preserving and exhibiting artefacts that illustrate this development.
Skye Museum of Island Life
Step back in time to an old Highland village…
The museum offers visitors a unique experience and a true insight into island life a 100 years ago. This award winning attraction is a must for all visitors to the beautiful Isle of Skye.
Staffin Dinosaur Museum
The Staffin Dinosaur Museum was established by Dugald Ross in 1976 when he was only a teenager. The species he identified in the area include Stegosaurus, Megalosaurus, Cetiosaurus, Hadrosaurus, and Ceolophysis. You'll get the first hand account from the man who discovered all of the fossils in the museum. Bring the whole family and experience Skye's only dinosaur museum.
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village
The village was declared a conservation area shortly after the last residents left as there was a unique opportunity here to preserve a style of house building which had survived for centuries but which had almost disappeared in the last half of the 20thcentury – the blackhouse. The double drystone walls, the low profile and the insulating thatch made the houses suitable for the Hebridean weather.
Mary Queen of Scots House
Set in the centre of historic Jedburgh, this 16th century towerhouse tells the story of Scotland’s tragic queen. Mary’s month here in Jedburgh in 1566 was a turning point in her life. A fine display of paintings, objects and textiles associated with her explores not only her life and times, but the cult that has grown up around her.
Tain Museum
helping to perserve and interpret our past and provide locals and visitors alike with a high quality experience
The Museum Collection consists of artefacts relating to the social history of the area, documents, photographs and a particularly fine collection of Tain Silver
Jedburgh Castle Jail
This museum gives visitors a taste of what life was like in a 1820s prison. Walk through the original cell blocks, see some of inmates and their conditions and follow their stories.The Jailer’s house is home to the town museum, telling the story of the Royal Burgh of Jedburgh from ancient times, with exhibitions focusing on traditions, industries and the town’s rich history
Iona Heritage Centre
Learn about island life over the last few centuries; the fishing and crofting community, school and churches, artists, craftworkers, visitors and memorable events. View old photographs and search the family trees for your ancestors, many of whom emigrated to the New World. There is also information about the geology and wild flowers of Iona.
Harris Tweed Exhibition Centre
Clò-Mòr, or Harris Tweed has a dedicated exhibition at Drinishader in Harris. The exhibits show Harris Tweed through the ages, with hands on sections for the kids and adults to play with. It has a unique display of old and new pictures, artefacts and present day designer productions, whilst mannequins display designer tweed outfits that graced the catwalks of the world.
Applecross Heritage Centre
This exhibition endeavours to share with you the ways in which we can find clues and evidence to unlock the past. Go back in time with them as they peel back the layers which reveal the fascinating and remarkable story of Applecross.
Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Museum & Heritage Centre
The aim of of this centre is to restore and maintain for the benefit of the public,
historic fire fighting appliances, fire fighting equipment and related artefacts
publications and documents.
Glencoe Folk Museum
Set within traditional 18th century heather-thatched cottages, Glencoe Folk Museum holds an eclectic array of objects celebrating local heritage and providing an insight into the history of the area and its people.
Fife Folk Museum
Fife Folk Museum is located in High Street, Ceres. Its premises consist of the former tolbooth of the burgh of barony, some early-19th- century weavers’ cottages, and, across the road, a modern annexe (opened 1984). The Museum is situated within a conservation area. All its buildings on the south side of the High Street are A-listed, including all garden and other walls.
Scottish Fisheries Museum
The museum's goal is to excite informed interest in the development of the Scottish commercial fishing industry among people of all ages in and beyond Scotland. The core story that we have to tell is the history of how, through a constant process of innovation, the Scottish fisheries became such an important part of the lives of so many Scots.
Easdale Folk Museum
The folk museum has well designed displays depicting a range of topics from the slate industry, army volunteers, education, and public health to geology, boats, and entertainment. There are genealogical records for the Kilbrandon and Kilchattan parish as well as rent books, Masonic records, and a map of Easdale Island circa 1881 on hard copy.
Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
Have you ever seen a full-size lighthouse built right through the middle of a 16th century castle? Share in the wonder of this truly unique castle, understand the lifestyle and courage of lighthouse keepers and marvel at the sophisticated engineering that saved lives. They provide 45-minute guided tours around the Kinnaird Head castle and lighthouse building.
Tarves Heritage Centre
Tarves Heritage Project works to preserve and promote the heritage of Tarves and Barthol Chapel Parish. The group manage Tarves Heritage Centre which was opened in 2004 and is housed in part of a Victorian School building dating back to 1837. Extensive renovation created a museum and local heritage resource which reflects the Conservation Area status of Tarves village.
Dunscore Heritage Centre
Learn the incredible story of Jane Haining's life and how her dedication for her charges resulted in her death at Auschwitz. Learn about The Disruption, the Covenanters and the role of the church in the community through the centuries. Discover what makes the village special and how it has changed through the years. You will hear about the famous people that lived in and around Dunscore including Jane Haining, Thomas Carlyle and Robert Burns.
Mallaig Heritage Centre
Conveniently sited alongside Mallaig railway station, this is a treasure trove of stories, films, collections and displays, all telling the story of West Lochaber, its people and landscape. Twelve centuries ago, West Lochaber was a buffer zone between native Picts, Norsemen and Scots. Briefly part of the Norse Kingdom of Man, it then became the eastern boundary of the powerful Lordship of the Isles.