Inclusive Volunteering Workshop
2024-10-17 10:30 - 12:00 UTC | Zoom, United States
As part of our Future Proofing the Highland Museum Workshop, we invite you to join Make Your Mark for a free inclusive volunteering workshop.

In a time of societal inequality and sectoral precarity, inclusive heritage volunteering is key to building a more equitable society and resilient heritage sector. To support volunteer-involving heritage organisations to develop more inclusive volunteer programmes, Make Your Mark conducted research into barriers to and enablers for volunteering, and created a practical toolkit to help voluntary organisations create inclusive volunteering action plans.

At this event, participants will learn how to:

Adapt volunteer roles to suit a wider range of peopleExplain the benefits of and business case for inclusive volunteeringIdentify barriers to and enablers for volunteering

Making Museums Accessible for Neurodivergent People
2024-10-23 09:30 - 14:00 | Inverness Museums and Art Gallery, Castle Wynd, Inverness, IV2 3EB
As part of our Future Proofing the Highland Museum Workforce project, supported by Museums Galleries Scotland and The Space. This workshop will be delivered by Aimee Fletcher, a current PhD Researcher at the University of Glasgow researching ways to make the museum and cultural heritage sector more accessible to autistic and neurodivergent people.

The workshop will be divided into 3 sessions:

Welcome and introduction to neurodiversity – getting to grips with current knowledge and understanding (terminology, history, how it fits into the wider disability movement how it has shifted recently with increased understanding).

Neurodiversity in everyday life – highlighting the diversity of experiences and needs, exploring common needs/barriers, how this can impact visiting museums – thinking about what the barriers in the workplace are for ND visitors and colleagues, what could help etc

Sensory audit – this is a practical session to apply what has been learned during the first two parts – we will move around the museum space with a prompt sheet to discuss and record what you notice in the space, how you think it would impact a visitor, and what might help.

Agenda:

9.45am – arrive and coffee/tea and shortbread10am – session 1 – Welcome and introduction to neurodiversity11am – Break, more coffee if needed11.15 am – session 2 – Neurodiversity in everyday life12.15pm – lunch (participants to bring a packed lunch or 10% discount for attendees in IMAG cafe)1pm – Sensory audit in museum space2pm ENDS

Sweet streams are made like this
2025-01-15 10:30 - 12:30 | Zoom, United States
An expert-led live streaming workshop for beginners. Learn how to improve and enhance your webinars, talks and lectures using free and low cost software and readily available equipment. Interactive and discursive throughout, get specialist tips, tricks and techniques to better engage your audience and add value to your brand.

The workshop will be delivered by Dougal Perman from Inner Ear. Dougal co-founded digital media company Inner Ear in 2000. They launched underground electronic internet radio station Radio Magnetic in 2001, streetwise audio tour series Walking Heads in 2010 and traditional folk music web TV channel TRADtv in 2015. Pioneering the use of live streaming, podcasting and interactive storytelling, Dougal has driven the innovative use of creative content to engage audiences for the past 24 years. With deep experience derived from a combination of creative practice and client work, Inner Ear provides training, consultancy and production services with a particular focus on arts, entertainment, culture and heritage.

What to do with Historic Churches
2025-01-21 09:30 - 12:30 | Zoom, United States
Discover how to preserve and repurpose historic churches in our engaging workshops, using Ullapool Museum and Strathnaver Museum as inspiring case studies. Learn practical strategies for safeguarding these architectural treasures while honouring their cultural significance. Gain insights from experts on adaptive reuse, conservation techniques, and community engagement, all tailored to breathe new life into historic buildings. Perfect for heritage professionals, community groups, and history enthusiasts, this workshop is your chance to help shape the future of Scotland’s church heritage. Join us and make a lasting impact!

Preparing to borrow or loan
2025-02-18 09:30 - 12:30 | Zoom, United States
Two curators at Highland museums have brought significant art works and objects in to the area, borrowing from national and international collections . Dan Cottam, Grantown Museum and Vanessa Martin from West Highland Museum. With case studies and practical know how they will guide you through the processes and pitfalls involved in borrowing or loaning out objects and artworks.

Air Faire
2025-05-22 13:30 - 2025-05-23 15:30 | Wasps Inverness Creative Academy, Midmills Building, Stephen's Street, Inverness, Highlands, IV2 3JP, United Kingdom
A 1.5 day workforce summit for staff and volunteers working in rural museums and heritage, exploring the challenges and opportunities facing the sector today. There will be sessions on fundraising, inclusion, digital volunteering, wellbeing, working with young people and more.

Big Scary Capital Projects Symposium
2025-06-03 09:30 - 12:30 | Zoom, United States
Meet and learn from three people who have led on major capital development projects, transforming their museums. They have had the courage to take on major renovation projects, repurpose old buildings or build brand new ones. Our panelists will share their experiences, give practical advice and run down the challenges arising from these ambitious and effective, far reaching community projects.

Agenda:

9:30 welcome and introductions

9. 35 – 11 What was the process? Case studies with questions from the floor

9:35 Fiona Mackenzie – Strathnaver Museum’s £2million new build and redevelopment.

10.05 Nick Lindsay – Clyne Heritage’s current project turning a historic school in Brora into a new home for a museum.

10.40 David Rounce – A new build extension and refurbishment of Glencoe Museum.

11.10 Break

11.25 Panel discussion – practical tips, challenges and useful lessons learnt.

12.00 Questions from floor.

12.25 wrap up

Heritage Cafe - with Mary Miers
2026-01-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom, United States
Mary Miers is an experienced journalist who writes about heritage, the arts and culture. In this discussion, Mary will share useful tips and guidance on working with the media to help you gain coverage for your latest exhibition or museum project

Caring for the Big Stuff: Large Object Conservation Workshop
2026-02-24 10:00 - 15:00 | Highland Folk Museum, Aultlarie Croft, Kingussie Rd, Newtonmore, PH20 1AY, United Kingdom
A practical introduction to caring for large museum objects, led by Ross McKirdy. Learn about conservation ethics, materials, assessment and documentation, basic treatments, and safe moving/packing techniques. Includes hands-on elements tailored to real objects and the needs of participating museums.

Breathing Space
2026-02-27 18:00 - 2026-03-01 11:00 | Farmhouse Forres, Farmhouse, Forres, IV36 2TA, United Kingdom
A two-day Breathing Space mini-residency offering peer support and professional development for museum and heritage practitioners across the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Aberdeenshire and Argyll. The weekend provides facilitated time to connect, share skills, explore challenges and reflect on practice in a supportive, confidential environment. Led by sector specialist Tamsin Russell, the residency combines discussions, problem-solving and restorative time to recharge. Open to up to six participants with at least one year’s experience. Please see attached file for details on how to apply

MHH BreathingSpace Callout4_draftDownload
