Strathnaver Museum, Bettyhill

Submitted by Owen McCafferty on Thu, 2009-11-26 Strathnaver Museum, Bettyhill

The Strathnaver Museum is situated in what was the Parish Churst of St. Columba, Farr. It is steeped in local history and was built about 1700.

After the Church was made redundant in the 1950's a group of local trustees was formed and along with Ian Grimble the historian, decided to form a Museum.

Unfortunately it was 1975 before the plan was to bear fruition. Due to Local Government Funding the Museum was finally opened in 1976.

The Museum is noted for it's ambitious schemes: the reprinting of "Gloomy Memories" by Donald Macleod and the erection of a monument to his memory in Strathnaver, opposite Rosal.

Clan Mackay Gatherings have been held at the 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.

The Museum has a wide range of exhibits, ranging from a Neolithic Cist and Pot dating back to approximately 1800BC, to a plastic fishing bouy. In between are ancient carved stones, including the Farr Stone (8th C.), a display about the Clearnaces, crofting times, fishing exhibits and much more.

All of the collections have been donated from local sources and new items are still appearing! The local school have played a considerable part in the past, providing the story of the clearances round the walls and also may paintings illustrating historical events of the area.

Museum Opening Hours: April to October: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm (closed Sundays)
Open during summer months: Monday to Saturday - 10.00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Admission: Adults - £2.00; Concessions - £1.50; Students & Family Groups 6 or more - £1.00; Children - 50p (under 5 free)

Strathnaver Museum Trail

The Strathnaver Trail links and interprets 29 archaeological sites, starting here at the Strathnaver Museum. You can get a booklet about the trail from the museum. The trail guides visitors around a wide range of sites, including the remains of Neolithic horned chamber cairns, Bronze Age cairns and hut circles, Iron Age brochs, Pictish carved stones and pre- Clearance townships.

The 29 sites include 12 Scheduled Ancient Monuments, one listed building (the museum), and several other monuments that provide good examples from different periods. The landscape of Strathnaver has evolved under human influence for at least 6,000 years. Together, these structures create a powerful picture of life throughout several millennia in what is now an almost deserted landscape.

Strathnaver Museum, Bettyhill Image Gallery (Click on the image for larger view)