Strathnaver Museum
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Strathnaver Museum
Journey from Strathnaver's mystical past, through the emergence of the Clan Mackay to the tragedy of the Highland Clearances. 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.

During the refurbishment the main museum building will be closed but we will be providing an information service from Bettyhill Tourist Information Centre, located beside Clachan Cafe at the roadside entrance to Strathnaver Museum. Although we will be closed we will do our best to meet any specific requests to access the collection, but please be sure to give us plenty of notice by dropping us an email.
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Just a short walk from the white sandy beach at Farr Bay you will find a hidden gem of a Museum housed in the former parish church of St Columba. Laid out within its unassuming walls is a treasure trove of unusual objects and gripping stories all presented by a friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteer staff.
The Museum Collection and Displays have developed from a traditional collection of artefacts relating to the domestic and working lives of the people of Strathnaver Province, which covered a much larger area of the North West beyond the river strath of today.

This collection continues to be enlarged through generous donations of items, Strathnaver Museum led research projects and discoveries of archaeological artefacts, adding to our understanding of the past.The Croft House with the Box Bed is one of our visitors' favourite items. The 'crux' or roof truss was once the hull of "The Thorwaldsen", shipwrecked in Strathy in 1858.
Over the years Strathnaver Museum has staged many well received local history exhibitions which help to tell the story of Mackay Country and its people. To ensure all of the hard work put in by our volunteer staff and other members of the community continues to be accessible we are working to create an online record of these exhibitions as a permanent record.
The Strathnaver Museum opening in 1976 thanks to the efforts of historian and broadcaster Dr Ian Grimble along with the support of a dedicated band of local volunteers. Today we remain a volunteer led organisation and without doubt our volunteers are the Museums greatest asset.

Each year we run a wide range of events, activities and training opportunities; look after hundreds of artefacts dating from the Bronze Age to the modern period; and help to support local schools to deliver the Curriculum for Excellence.There are many ways you can help to support your museum whether its donating your valuable time, ideas, artefacts, or financial support!
We have taken the decision to close our online shop to ensure our staff can self-isolate and our activities don't put any additional pressure on the postal service. But that doesn't mean you can't help support Strathnaver Museum by buying a Gift Voucher for yourself or a friend to use when we re-open the virtual and onsite shop once the current crisis is passed.
Reviews (11)
Helen Gibson
Helen Gibson
Sep 08, 2021
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Despite the museum not yet being opened the lady in the shop next to cafe was incredibly helpful and informative. We chatted for ages and her knowledge of the local area was outstanding.
Judi Bryant
Judi Bryant
Oct 01, 2020
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Absolute must visit for Mackay descendants and any one interested in the clearances. Small museum but a wealth of information on what happened. Eye witness statements about the clearances.
I'm so glad I was able to visit.
Be aware. Local establishments don't serve food all day. There's hours long gaps between lunch and dinner service.
Anne Horsman
Anne Horsman
Jan 29, 2020
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Extremely interesting and moving displays on the Strathnever Clearances in this volunteer -run little museum. Contributions by local schoolchildren are very impressive. Dont miss the Farr stone
Owen Dow
Owen Dow
Dec 30, 2019
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Pleased we stopped, interesting museum giving details of the history of the area - a history that once again does not show mankind in a good light.
Care - no toilets ,no cafe nor any Tourist information despite the fact the signs indicate otherwise
Robert
Robert
Nov 29, 2019
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A very nice local museum covering the highland clearances add Bettythill and the life of the times. There is a good source of information on the Mackay clan and family. The curator was a good source of information and happy to help with some research.
Keri Dow
Keri Dow
Nov 16, 2019
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An unpretentious museum which is extremely informative and well laid out.
Warning; the nearby 'tourist information office' and associated 'cafe' are both closed, no toilets available !!
Ronalds Dimants
Ronalds Dimants
Jun 10, 2019
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The museum have been kept going only by local volunteers. It is not government funded. Very educational and interesting. Amazing and friendly staff. Must visit if you are near by.
Gary Burchnall
Gary Burchnall
Nov 28, 2017
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Very good place to stop, stretch your legs, and spend an hour learning about the history of Northern Scotland. Has a quite brilliant little Mackay section upstairs where you can learn about all things Mackay. Extra brownie points for seeing that it would be comparatively quite expensive for us to go in with our 4 kids and duly let a couple of them in for free. Thank you.
Crystal Mackay
Crystal Mackay
Oct 05, 2017
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We just visited this week and loved learning more about the Mackay's and the Highlands. Such a great little gem!
Marco Croci
Marco Croci
Sep 14, 2017
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It's surely worth a visit! Beautiful location, rich of history about the Clearances and there's also a wonderful beach nearby.
John Stewart
John Stewart
Jul 17, 2017
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Strathnaver museum one day and Dunrobin Castle the next. Find out the link and you will be understand something about the clearances. Well done to the volunteers at this lovely museum for the great job they do in keeping the stories alive.