What to do and see in Scottish Highlands, Scotland: The Best History Museums

At the centre of Scotland’s only Pictish Monastic National Monument, the Museum at Tarbat unravels some of the mysteries of the Picts, explaining through its award winning archaeology programme fascinating details about these enigmatic people and their way of life on this intensely historic peninsula. ‘A’ Listed Tarbat Old Parish Church, home to the Discovery Centre, is in itself an historic timeline of six churches that have stood on this site with the remains of part of the crypt dating from as early as the 8th century. On display, beautiful sculpture and craft-working objects, architectural features, local exhibitions, photo archives and detailed interpretation provide the contents of our Museum – ‘a real gem of history well worth the visit.'

Highland’s Archive Service is responsible for collecting preserving and make accessible historical records relating to Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Sutherland and Ross and Cromarty, dating from the 14th Century. The collections include charters, minute books, correspondence, accounts, maps, photographs and films and contain more than 100,000 items. If you are interested in tracing your family tree, discovering the history of your house, looking at old maps of the Highlands, or just browsing through several hundred years of history, you will find a warm welcome. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, and 7.30 on Wednesdays.

This museum combines fine art with historical and natural artifacts to give visitors a more complete picture of Inverness's complex history.

VisitScotland 5 star rated Museum attraction. Our vision is to Keep the Dornoch Story Alive. We do this by preserving our local heritage and making it available for everyone to enjoy. The museum is open from 10.30am to 4pm five days a week (closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays unless pre-booked online at least 48 hours beforehand) until April 2021. We have a small admission fee for adults but discount for concessions and accompanied children are free. There is an option to book the Museum for an exclusive tour for your family group (up to 8 members) from 4pm each day. Tours start at £30 per group (see website for booking details).

Brand new for 2019, Gairloch Museum has relocated to a stunning new building - a former nuclear bunker in the centre of Gairloch. Displays include the original lens from Rubh Re lighthouse, a replica croft house showing how people used to live and an interactive gallery about our magnificent natural world, midges and all! The Museum shop stocks a specialist range of books and CDs of local interest and crafts by local makers. The in-house art gallery hosts a rotation of exhibitions. A café with wonderful views down the loch is coming soon. Gairloch Museum was declared as an ArtFund Museum of the Year in 2020.

Please note we are open seasonally from 1st April to 31st October. Strathnaver Museum is situated on the north coast of Scotland in the former Parish Church of St Columba in the picturesque village of Bettyhill. Its main theme is the tragic story of the Highland Clearances, it has a room dedicated to the Clan Mackay and also tells the story of crofting life. The ancient Pictish Farr Stone is situated nearby. The Museum contains a treasure trove of unusual objects and gripping stories all presented by a friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteer staff. Serving Mackay Country the Museum is also home to a wonderful collection of Mackay memorabilia belonging to the Clan Mackay Society, making it a must see for anyone of Mackay descent or interested in Clan Mackay. Located in the ancient province of Strathnaver, scene of some of the most brutal acts of the Highland Clearances, it is unsurprising that this is the main story told by the Museum. In fact it was from the very pulpit which dominates the centre of the Museum that the Rev. David Mackenzie was obliged to read out the eviction notices to his congregation. The building's association with the Highland Clearances did not end in 1819, as it was within the church that the Napier Commission heard evidence from the people of north Sutherland in 1883. The Napier Commission resulted in significant improvements to the lives of crofters and other small tenants.

Housed within two authentic 18th century thatched cottages, the museum tells the rich and exciting history of the local area - from the carving of the Ballachulish Goddess in 600BC to the opening of the Ballachulish Bridge in 1975, from Jacobite uprisings to World Wars. Take a peek into a MacDonald cottage of the night of the infamous Massacre of Glencoe, dress up as a Jacobite soldier and practice your 'Highland Charge', or simply let our objects transport you to the past. The museum has a fascinating collection of artefacts including Jacobite relics, costume, paintings, agricultural implements, medical equipment, classic toys, photographs, First and Second World War memorabilia, and domestic items from around the Glencoe area.