fortwilliam - Museums and Heritage Highland

Dè tha dol? What’s happening?

Nicola Henderson Blog 15 May, 20206 April, 2021armadalecastle, blackisle, cromarty, fortwilliam, groamhousemuseum, heritage, highlandmuseums, highlands, isleofskye, museumfromhome, museumoftheisles, museums, scarecrows, swords, westhighlandmuseum 0 Comment

cut our puppet of a girl doing a cartwheel. coloured in orange, yellow and purple

Many of our museums are still working hard behind the scenes to ensure their audiences can get their heritage fix and connect with each other. We are going to do a wee series shining a spotlight on what’s happening. This first blog shines the spotlight on the Museum of the Isles at Armadale Castle, Skye, West Highland Museum in Fort William and Groam House Museum, Black Isle .

The Museum of the Isles at Armadale Castle, Isle of Skye, is keeping audiences engaged online. With education staff unable to deliver the weekly family sessions, they’re posting family activities to do at home on the website instead: https://www.armadalecastle.com/family-activities-to-do-at-home/. They are also sharing lots of content on social media, with a popular ‘object of the week’ post featuring artefacts from the galleries and museum stores. Traditional music is an important part of Armadale Castle’s activity, so they are also regularly sharing highlights from the castle’s piping and clarsach competitions held on Facebook. [eg https://www.facebook.com/ArmadaleCastleSkye/videos/2501800346710409/]. And with the museum being situated in a stunning garden location, there’s regular garden tips too [https://www.armadalecastle.com/seasonal-garden-tips/]
And if you’re intrigued about what a curator gets up to in lockdown, have a look at this #MuseumFromHome video! https://www.facebook.com/ArmadaleCastleSkye/videos/1143750272645277/
Follow them here –
https://www.facebook.com/ArmadaleCastleSkye/
https://www.instagram.com/armadalecastleskye/
https://twitter.com/ArmadaleCastle

While the West Highland Museum in Fort William is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic they are focusing on improving their online content to engage with their existing social media followers, support local communities, and develop new global online audiences.
They already have a popular Facebook page with almost 2.8k followers where they regularly share content about collections, local history and links to interesting stories. They have re-launched thei Twitter account and will be posting to this regularly. They have also started Pinterest and Instagram pages to share their collection with the world.
Since the Museum has been closed they have launched a blog, featuring a good variety of guest bloggers who showcase their collections and local history. They have recently launched a podcast and the first series focuses on local communities in the Fort William area and they will be working with Edinburgh University Museums to develop an online learning project about Scottish folklore for children.
In the longer term they are in the process of developing a new website and are looking to start video output with the launch of a YouTube channel.

https://www.facebook.com/WestHighlandMuseum/?ref=bookmarks
https://westhighlandmuseum.wordpres.com
www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk
https://www.buzzsprout.com/966610/3590722?fbclid=IwAR0XP5A26qaI68uZbouoMd-YRqUgehbCHKR_LpXBoc1mvgwPW1DNay50Qmo
https://twitter.com/WestHighMuseum
https://www.instagram.com/west_highland_museum/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/whm1922/

Groam House Museum have launched Black Isle Scarecrows! The idea is simply to make a scarecrow, display it for your neighbours and passers-by to see, then, if you would like to, take a photo and post it to their new Facebook group ‘Black Isle Scarecrows’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlackIsleScarecrows/
A traditional scarecrow is made with threadbare overalls and stuffed with straw or anything else you can find – maybe old newspapers or plastic bags. The secret to making the best possible scarecrow is being creative to recycle, reuse and repurpose old clothes and other props you already have. During lockdown we all have time to have a good rummage around the house, shed or garage where I’m sure you will find all you need to inspire you!
They are also continuing work on looking at how to present the work of George Bain online and are inviting feedback from all on this. Find out more here http://www.groamhouse.org.uk/index.asp?pageid=709546&fbclid=IwAR3WV5LgMWgrK3Np3og51kpY6aeyYzP7FVL2EDkMxbpzxtL1mHVGZWVEc_g

West Highland Museum Review of the Year!

Nicola Henderson Blog 3 January, 20203 January, 20202019, collections, fortwilliam, highlands, jacobites, museum, westhighlandmuseums 0 Comment

Group of volunteers at clan cameron museum

The West Highland Museum in Fort William is in the heart of the Highlands and is particularly known for its Jacobite Collection and Commando exhibition.

This year’s newsletter focuses on what the museum has been up to in 2019 and is packed full of interesting information about the museum’s activities.

This includes articles about exciting new acquisitions; loans; existing collections; volunteer activities; local history; visitor events and festivals.

Just two of the highlights of 2019 have been, the long term loan of the Drambuie Collection from William Grant and Son Ltd, and the acquisition of a rare secret portrait Jacobite snuff box.

www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk

Keep up-to-date with their news and events on Facebook

2019-Newsletter-1 Download

An Iconic Acquisition with a Secret – at West Highland Museum

Nicola Henderson Blog 9 December, 20199 December, 20191745, artfund, bonnieprincecharlie, charlesedwardstuart, collections, fortwilliam, heritage, jacobites, museums, nationalfundforacquisitions, snuffbox, tartan 0 Comment

Here is a short blog from Vanessa Martin at the West Highland Museum in Fort William on a recent exciting acquisition that is now on display in the museum.

‘We were delighted to have the opportunity to purchase a rare hidden portrait Jacobite snuff box at the Lyon and Turnbull auction in Edinburgh in August.

It is a mid-18th century circular box with enamel tartan decoration, the hinged cover opens to reveal a plain interior, however, the hidden double lid opens to reveal a finely enamelled portrait of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in tartan jacket with orders of The Garter and Thistle decorations, white cockade and blue bonnet.

Hidden portrait snuff boxes such as this are amongst the most iconic Jacobite works of art. This example is in particularly good condition and finely enamelled. The portrait is a variant of the famous Robert Strange example which likely date this piece to circa 1750.

The Museum has been established as a “Jacobite Museum” since its inception in 1922. We have many unique and unusual objects already in our collection such as the Secret Portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his death mask. This iconic object will be a valuable addition to our Jacobite collection and is now on permanent display.

We would not have been able to acquire this fine object for the collection without the financial support of the National Fund for Acquisitions, the Art Fund and a very generous local donor. We are most grateful to everyone who has contributed to make this purchase possible. The final price for the snuff box at auction was £9,750.’