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.
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.
Services
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.
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!
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
Sep 08, 2021
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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.
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
Jan 29, 2020
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Owen Dow
Dec 30, 2019
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Robert
Nov 29, 2019
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Keri Dow
Nov 16, 2019
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Ronalds Dimants
Jun 10, 2019
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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
Oct 05, 2017
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Marco Croci
Sep 14, 2017
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John Stewart
Jul 17, 2017
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