Museums, archives and heritage in Ross & Cromarty

Cromartyshire

Cromartyshire, small county, in the N. of Scotland, consisting of 20 detached portions merged in Ross-shire, so that for political and most practical purposes it is treated as a component part of that county. See Ross-shire.

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Cromarty Courthouse Museum

Church Street

Cromarty IV11 8XA

01381 600418

www.cromarty-courthouse.org.uk

This elegant former courthouse, built in 1773, now houses fascinating exhibitions about the historic town of Cromarty. The courtroom scene has life-like figures and audio enactment to tell the story of one trial, the other rooms tell the history of Cromarty and each year there are special exhibitions and displays.

Hugh Miller’s Cottage – National Trust For Scotland

Church Street

Cromarty IV11 8XA

01381 600245

goo.gl/l5LECS

Here in this thatched cottage built c1698 by his great-grandfather was born Hugh Miller, on 10 October, 1802. Miller rose to international acclaim as a geologist, editor and writer.

Ross-shire

Ross and Cromarty, maritime county, in NW. of Scotland; area, 2,003,065 acres, population 78,547. It consists of a mainland portion which comprises all the detached sections of Cromarty, and an insular portion properly called Ross-shire which includes Lewis island (excluding Harris) and a number of smaller islands in the Outer Hebrides. The mainland portion extends 67 miles N. and S. between Sutherland and Inverness-shire, and 75 miles E. and W. between the Moray Firth and the Atlantic Ocean. On the E. coast, which affords good harbours, are the Dornoch Firth, Cromarty Firth, and Beauly Firth; and of numerous indentations along the W. coast the largest are Loch Broom, Gruinard Bay, Loch Ewe, Loch Torridon, Loch Carron, and Loch Alsh. The largest streams are the Oykell, the Alness, and the Conon, which flow to the Moray Firth. The chief inland lochs are Maree, Fannich, Luichart, Sheallag, and Bosyne. Of the 3 great divisions of the county, Easter Boss, including all the low land between the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths, is fertile and well cultivated; Mid. Boss, including the district (known as the Black Isle) between the Cromarty Firth and the Moray and Beauly Firths, is mostly under good cultivation; while Wester Ross, including by far the greater portion of the county, is altogether of a highland character, and abounds in rugged mountains, beautiful lochs, and wild glens. Sheep farming and cattle grazing are extensively pursued. The distilling of whisky is the sole mfr. The fisheries, coast and inland, are extensive and valuable. The county comprises 31 parishes, with parts of 2 others, and the parliamentary burghs of Cromarty, Dingwall, Tain (part of the Wick Burghs) and Fortrose (part of the Inverness Burghs).

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Dingwall Museum

Town Hall, High Street

Dingwall IV15 9RY

01349 865366

goo.gl/tPtLG3

Dingwall Museum presents many local artefacts and fascinating tales of human exploits which are unique to Dingwall within a landmark building, once the centre of local government. Over the years members have designed displays to create pictures of the past for visitors to study and enjoy.

Eilean Donan Castle

Dornie

by Kyle of Lochalsh IV40 8DX

01599 555202

www.eileandonancastle.com

You can explore almost every part of the castle from the Banqueting Hall to the bedrooms. You’ll be following in the footsteps of many a warrior – from the Vikings to James Bond, from Jacobites to Hollywood’s ‘Highlander’.

Gairloch Heritage Museum

Achtercairn

Gairloch IV21 2BP

01445 712287

www.gairlochheritagemuseum.org

An award-winning museum with displays recreating a croft house interior, schoolroom, village shop, parlour and others. Also on display is the light from Rhu Reidh lighthouse, one of the largest lenses assembled by the Northern Lighthouse Board.

Groam House Museum

High Street

Rosemarkie IV10 8UF

01381 620961

www.groamhouse.org.uk

Groam House Museum is situated in the Black Isle village of Rosemarkie, occupying an 18th-century building. Our lovely museum is an outstanding centre for Pictish and Celtic Art in Ross-shire. The unique display is focused on 15 carved Pictish stones which all originated in the village, an important centre of early Christianity. The sculptures are amongst the works of Pictish Art that inspired George Bain, the ‘father of modern Celtic design’, most of whose surviving artwork is in the care of the museum.

Highland Council Museum Service

Ross and Cromarty Area, Council Offices, High Street

Dingwall IV15 9QN

01349 868460

www.museumsinthehighlands.com

Council service that is set up to help and inform members of the public regarding the museums and art galleries in operation in Highland.

Highland Museum of Childhood

The Old Station

Strathpeffer IV14 9DH

01997 421031

www.highlandmuseumofchildhood.org.uk

The museum is located in Strathpeffer’s charming old Victorian station where trains brought visitors in the village’s heyday as a spa. The museum tells the story of childhood in the Highlands of Scotland, recording tales of childhood amongst hardworking crofters and townsfolk, where money and luxuries were scarce, and life followed the satisfying rhythm of the seasons.

Tain & District Museum

Tower Street

Tain IV19 1DY

01862 894089

www.tainmuseum.org.uk

Tain Through Time opens the door to the history of Tain, an ancient royal burgh in the north of the Highlands of Scotland. It is set in a complex of three buildings in an atmospheric churchyard: a medieval collegiate church, a museum, and a visitor centre in an old schoolhouse, each of which offers a different perspective on Tain’s long and eventful past.

Tarbat Discovery Centre

Tarbatness Road, Portmahomack

Tain IV20 1YA

01862 871351

www.tarbat-discovery.co.uk

Tarbat Discovery Centre is a Museum situated in an old church in the beautiful coastal village of Portmahomack, 42 miles North East of Inverness. Having been abandoned in 1946 the dilapidated building was saved from ruin in 1980, when it was purchased by the newly formed Tarbat Old Parish Church Preservation Trust. You can find out how the archaeologists have slowly uncovered the ancient treasures at Tarbat.

Ullapool Museum & Visitor Centre

7-8 West Argyle Street

Ullapool IV26 2TY

01854 612 987

www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk

Housed within a restored Thomas Telford Parliamentary Church, originally built in 1829, the museum tells the story of Lochbroom – the land and its people, through a blend of traditional and multimedia displays. The audiovisual presentation tells the story of the people who have made this challenging environment their home, from the first settlers after the ice age to the present day.