highlandmuseums

Join Us – Museum Operations & Support Coordinators

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Group image of people is a light, airy space talking and laughing

Museums and Heritage Highland is seeking two freelance Museum Operations & Support Coordinators to join our Pathways to the Future project, funded by Museums Galleries Scotland, and help strengthen the sustainability and resilience of museums across the Highlands.

Inspired by collaborative working and practical support, these new freelance roles will work directly with clusters of small and rural museums, helping reduce operational pressure and creating more space for strategic thinking, creativity and community impact.

About the Project

Pathways to the Future is a collaborative initiative led by Museums and Heritage Highland supporting museums to work in more connected, resilient and sustainable ways.

The project recognises the growing pressures faced by many museums – particularly small, volunteer-led and rural organisations – and aims to provide hands-on operational support where it is needed most.

Each coordinator will support a cluster of up to four museums, working flexibly with each organisation to identify practical support needs and improve day-to-day operations.

The Role

The coordinators will provide a mixture of operational, administrative and organisational support tailored to the needs of participating museums. This may include:

  • Supporting finance and administration systems
    Coordinating visitor services and reporting
    Assisting with marketing and communications activity
    Helping streamline systems and shared ways of working
    Supporting training, wellbeing and organisational development initiatives
    Exploring opportunities for collaboration and shared resources across museums

The role is designed to ease pressure on museum staff and volunteers while helping organisations build confidence, capacity and long-term resilience.

Key Details
Role: Museum Operations & Support Coordinator
Number of roles: 2
Contract: Freelance fixed-term role (2 years)
Fee: £30,000 per annum (£60,000 over two years)
Hours: Around 35 hours per week
Location: Home-based with travel across the Highlands as required
Start Date: 29 June 2026 (or as close as possible)

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for organised, collaborative and proactive people who are passionate about supporting museums and heritage organisations to thrive.

You may already have experience working in museums, heritage, arts, cultural, community or voluntary organisations and be comfortable balancing multiple priorities across different teams and locations.

We’d especially like to hear from people who:

  • Enjoy practical problem-solving and improving systems
    Communicate well and build positive working relationships
    Are confident working independently and collaboratively
    Have strong organisational and digital skills
    Understand the challenges facing small and rural museums
    Can provide supportive, flexible and people-focused assistance

Experience in marketing, administration, operations or coordination work within the cultural or community sector would be particularly valuable.

How to Apply

Please submit:
Your CV or details of relevant experience
A covering letter (maximum 1000 words) explaining your suitability for the role

We also welcome alternative application formats, including:
A video application (maximum 5 minutes)
A PowerPoint presentation (maximum 10 slides)

Applications and enquiries should be sent to:

Nicola Henderson
nicola.henderson@museumsandheritagehighland.org.uk

Deadline

Applications close: 1 June 2026 at 5pm

Further Information

Full details about the role, responsibilities and person specification can be found in the Job Pack.

Museums Operations & Support Coordinator JobPack.docxDownload

Join us: Freelance Project Coordinator – Pathways to the Future

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Join us: Freelance Project Coordinator – Pathways to the Future

Museums and Heritage Highland is seeking a Freelance Project Coordinator to support the delivery of an ambitious new pilot, Pathways to the Future, supported by Museums Galleries Scotland.

This two-year project brings together eight rural museums across the Highlands to test a new shared-services model designed to strengthen financial sustainability, reduce administrative burden and build long-term resilience.

Working across two regional clusters, the project embeds shared administrative support and commercial expertise within partner museums—freeing up leadership capacity and enabling organisations to focus on strategic growth, collections and community impact.

About the role

This is a coordination-focused role at the heart of a complex, multi-partner project. You’ll work closely with the Project Lead and partner museums to ensure that communication is clear, systems are aligned and delivery stays on track.

You’ll be responsible for:

  • Coordinating project planning, timelines and workflows
    Supporting communication across multiple organisations and staff roles
    Tracking risks, progress and key milestones
    Supporting reporting, evaluation and learning capture

About the project

Pathways to the Future responds to a critical challenge facing small, rural museums: limited capacity and increasing operational demands. By embedding shared expertise and fostering collaboration, the project aims to:

  • Increase earned income across partner museums
    Improve governance and financial systems
    Reduce burnout and operational pressure
    Build stronger, more confident leadership across the sector

The project is rooted in collaboration, with all partner museums actively shaping and testing the model together.

Role details
Freelance contract (2 years)
1 day per week (flexible, primarily remote)
Fee: £19,200
Start date: June 2026

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone highly organised, proactive and confident working across multiple partners. You’ll bring experience in project coordination, excellent communication skills and the ability to manage complexity with clarity.

Experience in the heritage or cultural sector is welcome but not essential. This project is funded by Museums Galleries Scotland Pathfinder’s fund.

Freelance Project Coordinator_Pathways_JobPack.docxDownload

Pitch opportunity: create a digital walking tour to showcase historic images for Cromarty Museum

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A group of fisher boys at Cromarty harbour - Willie John Smith (Cromarty Museum)

Cromarty Museum is looking to commission a production company to design and deliver a location-based digital heritage experience based on a significant photographic collection documenting Cromarty’s historic fishing community. This opportunity is available through the Highlands and Islands Digital Heritage Network, a National Lottery Heritage Fund digital development programme.

The project will showcase a 1903 collection of photographs by Willie John Smith, providing public access to part of the museum’s collection during its extended closure for redevelopment. The images document the working lives, social conditions, dress and community relationships of Cromarty’s fishing community at the beginning of the 20th century. The photographs represent a way of life that has since disappeared and are of strong local and national interest.

The project aims to engage local community members to co-create new content including oral history, forming part of an immersive audio narrative. The museum is keen to explore how innovative digital technology can elevate the walking tour experience. For example, through subtle animation to bring historic photographs to life and through creative use of sound and storytelling.

The final output will be a free, mobile-access location-based 8-10 stop digital walking tour through the town of Cromarty, and a fully accessible online version for remote audiences.

The project will launch in mid-August 2026..

About Cromarty Museum
Cromarty Museum collects and exhibits the cultural heritage of the historic town of Cromarty and the surrounding area on the Black Isle. It’s building is a Grade A former courthouse currently operating reduced opening hours as they work towards capital redevelopment. This project will allow the museum to continue to share the history of the town with its visitors – local, national and international – during this period of closure.

Budget and requirements
The total project budget is £18,500 ex VAT

Submission requirements
Interested production companies are invited to submit:

  • A short statement of interest
    Relevant examples of previous digital heritage or location-based work.
    Outline creative approach.
    Initial technical proposal.
    Proposed budget breakdown (creative, technical development, production, testing, contingency)
    Key personnel and experience.
    Confirmation of availability within the proposed timeline.

  • Download EOI_Cromarty_Museum here

Deadline
The deadline for responses is Friday 10 April 2026 at 5pm.
Submissions should be sent to curator@cromartymuseum.org.uk

Pitch opportunity: create an audio experience for Scapa Flow Museum in Orkney

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Pitch opportunity: create an audio experience for Scapa Flow Museum in Orkney

Calling audio producers
As part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund digital development programme, The Highland and Islands Digital Heritage Network is looking for a production partner to partner with Scapa Flow Museum to create a series of audio stories that tell the story of life in Orkney – and the history the islands have witnessed – from the First World War to the present day.

The project, entitled Voices from Scapa Flow, will include existing sound archive and new audio stories, which the production partner will research and curate from local communities across the Orkney Islands. The audio stories will be available in-venue at the museum on Hoy and also reversioned to be published online in a podcast format.

The museum is seeking an experienced audio production company or audio producer(s) to collaborate with them on the project, which will launch in September 2026. Production will require a combination of remote and location work in Orkney.

About Scapa Flow Museum
Scapa Flow Museum tells the story of a remote but immense natural harbour off the far north coast of Scotland as the centre of the British naval universe during both world wars. Hundreds of thousands of military personnel passed through Orkney during the world wars – meaning millions of people alive today could have links to the artefacts at Scapa Flow Museum.

An equally important story is one of how this influx of thousands of service people affected the daily lives of the people of Orkney and left a lasting legacy on the archipelago.

Budget
The commission budget is £13,000 including VAT. This is to include any travel and expenses incurred to be on site.

There is a separate budget of £1,225 (including VAT) for community engagement work.

The brief
The full tender document is available to vies here –  Scapa_Flow_RFP_2.

Response requirements:
Please include the following in your response to the brief:

  • A summary of your understanding of the brief
    Your response to the brief and how you would handle key requirements as outlined
    Examples and links to any relevant prior work
    Details of team members that would work on the project, their planned role and prior relevant experience
    Your proposed budget and timeline for the project, in line with the brief above
    How you plan to manage the project, particularly with regard to the location and any key processes you intend to use for podcast publication
    Details of 2 clients who could provide references or evidence from testimonials of working on similar projects previously.
    Contact details for any queries about your proposal

How to respond
To apply, please submit your RFP in accordance with the brief by emailing Ellen.Pesci@orkney.gov.uk with the subject line “RFP: Voices From Scapa Flow” by Wednesday 4 March, 5pm

Any questions?
If you have any queries about the opportunity or the brief, please email Ellen.Pesci@orkney.gov.uk with the subject line “RFP: Voices From Scapa Flow” by Monday 2 March 2026.

Winter Pause or Quiet Beat? Highland Museums Adjust Hours

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Winter Pause or Quiet Beat? Highland Museums Adjust Hours

As the evening’s grow longer and the days shorter, many of our Highland museum adjust their opening schedule. Some go into hibernation for a few months, re-launching with gusto around Easter, but a growing number stay open during the quieter season – just with slightly reduced hours. Will you be travelling to the Highlands this winter and looking for a heritage fix? Then please do check ahead to ensure you time your visit just right. Many that are closed, will open just for you if you get in touch in advance so even if the hours don’t suit – all is not lost

Seasonal opening isn’t just about visitor numbers — it’s about balance. For many Highland museums, closing or scaling back in winter is what keeps them sustainable the rest of the year. It’s a time to care for collections, rest and retrain staff and volunteers, fundraise and prepare new displays, projects and/or exhibitions. For those that stay open, even on reduced hours, it’s a lifeline for local people — a warm welcome, a place to connect and a reminder that heritage is about people. The rhythm of opening and closing mirrors Highland life itself: responsive, resourceful and rooted in community.

MuseumWinter / Seasonal NotesSpecific Hours (if published)Website
Gairloch MuseumPartial winter openingNov 3 – Dec 17, 2025: Wed–Sat 10:00 – 4:00. 10:00 – 5:00. https://www.gairlochmuseum.org/visit
Strathnaver Museum, BettyhillSeasonal / reduced winter hoursTue–Thu 10:00 – 2:00 Outwith hours: by arrangementhttps://www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk/visit-us/
Groam House Museum (Rosemarkie / Black Isle)Seasonal / limited winter opening1 Nov – 14 Dec: open Saturdays & Sundays 11:00 – 2:00https://groamhouse.org.uk/
Waterlines Heritage, LybsterOpen year-round – hours may be slightly reducedWednesday – Saturday 10am – 3pmhttps://waterlineslybster.co.uk/
Inverness Museum & Art GalleryReduced / winter schedule (remains open)Nov–Mar: Tues–Thurs 12:00 – 16:00; Fri & Sat 11:00 – 16:00; closed Sun & Monhttps://www.highlifehighland.com/inverness-museum-and-art-gallery/
West Highland Museum, Fort WilliamOpen year-round – hours may be slightly reducedMon–Fri 10:00 – 16:00; Sat 10:30 – 16:00https://www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk/
Timespan, HelmsdaleReduced hoursPhone ahead to checkhttps://timespan.org.uk/visit/
Culloden BattlefieldOpen year round3 Nov–28 Feb 2026, daily, 09.00–16.00https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden/planning-your-visit
Grantown MuseumSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.grantownmuseum.co.uk/
Highland Museum of Childhood, StrathpefferSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://highlandmuseumofchildhood.org.uk/
Ullapool MuseumSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/
Tarbat Discovery Centre, PortmahomackSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.tarbat-discovery.co.uk/
Tain & District MuseumSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.tainmuseum.org.uk/
Wick Heritage MuseumSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.wickheritage.org/
Historylinks Museum, DornochSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.historylinks.org.uk/
Glencoe Folk MuseumclosedUndergoing redevelopmenthttps://www.glencoemuseum.com/
Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore Fully seasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum/
Nairn MuseumSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://nairnmuseum.co.uk/
Cromarty CourthouseSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.cromarty-courthouse.org.uk/visit-us/
Dingwall MuseumSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.dingwallmuseum.info/
Arctic convoy museum, AultbeaSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://arcticconvoymuseum.org/
North Coast Visitor Centre, ThursoSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.highlifehighland.com/north-coast-visitor-centre/
Mallaig Heritage CentreSeasonal (closed in winter)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.mallaigheritage.org.uk/index.php
Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage and Museum, CromartySeasonal (closed from 9th November apart from special events)Visit by appointment may be possible – phone aheadhttps://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/hugh-millers-birthplace

Brand-new podcast ‘Highlands Reimagined’ asks why young people leave northwest Sutherland

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picture of a tall, narrow standing stone with circular image and the word 'failte' written on it. In the background is a a pointed mountain and blue sky with white fluffy clouds

On 2nd September 2025, Strathnaver Museum launches a new podcast series called ‘Highlands Reimagined’.

The podcast was commissioned by Strathnaver Museum, is produced by Anya Media and published in partnership with the Wild for Scotland podcast.

The ‘Highlands Reimagined’ podcast explores why young people leave northwest Sutherland and what will encourage them to build their futures in the region. It features interviews with students from Farr High School, local entrepreneurs and remote workers across three thirty-minute episodes.

Using objects in the museum collection, the young people explore the age-old problem of Highland depopulation and outward economic migration. Through interviews with national and regional representatives from government, agencies and community organisations, the young people discuss their hopes and fears for their future as part of their Highland community.

The podcast emerged from Will Sadler’s successful 2024 Artist in Residence project with Strathnaver Museum, where he used objects in the museum collection to explore issues relevant to Highland communities today. The Artist Residency Programme has been part funded by Museums Galleries Scotland, The William Syson Foundation, the Children’s and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, and has received £5,755 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Fiona Mackenzie, Strathnaver Museum manager, explains: “We have many fascinating objects in our collection which can help us explore and understand issues which affect us today. We are incredibly excited about the launch of ‘Highlands Reimagined’ which provides a vehicle for our young people to share their hopes and concerns for their future within their Highland community.”
Will Sadler, the podcast’s producer says: “This podcast explores the differences between the picture-postcard Highlands of my childhood holidays and the complex reality of growing up there. The goal isn’t to dismiss an appreciation for Scotland’s natural beauty, but to enrich it by revealing the nuances of life in one of Western Europe’s most sparsely populated areas as it faces ongoing population challenges. Fundamentally, I hope the show encourages us all to consider what role we play in helping to build a more resilient future for this beautiful place.”

Kathi Kamleitner, co-producer of the Wild for Scotland travel podcast, notes: “The northern Highlands are often presented as a ‘wild’ and rugged landscape to be enjoyed by tourists seeking vastness and space. But it’s important not to lose sight of the people who call these landscapes their home. ‘Highlands Reimagined’ paints a complex picture of modern life in the Highlands and centres the lived experiences that often get omitted in favour of a romanticised landscape.

To find out more visit highlandsreimagined.com

Working with young people – a digital toolkit

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Working with young people – a digital toolkit

Young volunteers can bring something very special to a museum or heritage organisation. Fresh energy and ideas, new areas of expertise, more visitors, and opportunities for succession planning to name just a few.

This toolkit will help you to identify why young volunteers would benefit your organisation, how you could benefit them and how to go about recruiting. It will also provide you with tools, templates and tips to ensure everyone has a safe and positive experience.

This toolkit has been designed in partnership between Museums & Heritage Highland and Dingwall Museum with funding support from Museums Galleries Scotland and The Space.

Toolkit for Young VolunteersDownload

Workforce wellbeing – a digital toolkit

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Group image of people is a light, airy space talking and laughing

Workforce wellbeing is vital to ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our Museum and Heritage organisations. While our organisations work to deliver wellbeing benefits to our communities, it has become increasingly important that the wellbeing of our workforce is prioritised. As any in-flight safety briefing will tell you, ‘put on your own oxygen mask first’. If we do not provide our workforce with the tools necessary to identify and address concerns, they will be unable to provide the services to their communities.

In this toolkit we will look at tools, templates, workshops, and tips to help your organisation improve workforce wellbeing. It will help you to identify what your organisation is doing well and where it could be doing better. We will consider policies & practices, team working, culture, and collaboration & consultation.

This toolkit has been designed in partnership between Museums & Heritage Highland and Brora Heritage with funding support from Museums Galleries Scotland and The Space.

Toolkit for WellbeingDownload

There are a set of template documents to accompany the above toolkit.
Download the Wellbeing Resource Pack here.

Remote Volunteering – a digital toolkit

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Male person with black hair in a top not and unshaven, smiles while looking at a dark grey Arctic Convoy object

This toolkit aims to help museums build remote volunteering opportunities that allow people from all places and walks of life to work with their resources and collections. The tools are divided into sections on Preparation, Initiation, and Reflection. Templates and links to further resources are included at the end.

This toolkit has been designed in partnership between Museums & Heritage Highland and the Arctic Convoy Museum with funding support from Museums Galleries Scotland and The Space.

Remote Volunteering ToolkitDownload

Highland museums to share skills and ambitions at major summit

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Highland museums to share skills and ambitions at major summit

Action, innovation, and ambition are on the agenda at Air Faire, a major summit for Highland museum and heritage professionals taking place in Inverness later this month.

On May 22nd and 23rd, staff and volunteers from museums and heritage organisations across the Highlands and beyond will gather to discuss how they can build more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable futures for their communities.

Air Faire is being organised by Museums and Heritage Highland, a forum that facilitates connections between cultural organisations across the region. Siobhan Beatson, Director of Ullapool Museum and Chair of MHH, said: “Museums and heritage sites are vital to the culture, economy, and wellbeing of our communities. By sharing our knowledge and skills at Air Faire, we aim to realise our ambition for museums and heritage sites to serve as inspiring, innovative, and educational spaces where everyone is welcome.”

The diverse responsibilities of museums and heritage sites are reflected in the range of topics being discussed at the summit. Air Faire will feature panels on fundraising, volunteering, workforce wellbeing, and engaging with younger audiences, as well as workshops and talks on the role of Gaelic in museums, LGBTQ+ representation, and anti-racism.

Nicola Henderson, Innovation and Network Manager at MHH, added: “Air Faire offers a unique opportunity for people to exchange ideas, connect across disciplines, and develop creative new solutions to shared challenges. As well as welcoming a range of perspectives from cultural organisations across Scotland, we invite representatives of other industries to attend and explore the potential for collaboration with museums and heritage sites.”

The significance of Air Faire is highlighted by the range of panellists from key heritage organisations and funding bodies. This includes speakers from National Museums Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland, the Museums Association, Historic Environment Scotland, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The summit is made possible thanks to funding from Museums Galleries Scotland and The Space, along with the support of our sponsors AOC Archaeology and Vernon Systems.

Air Faire builds on a series of successful initiatives undertaken by Museums and Heritage Highland. The forum has supported museums and heritage sites through the post-pandemic recovery by co-ordinating Highland Threads, an innovative digital exhibition which showcased museum collections from across the region; launching Museum of the Highlands, an online learning tool for schools; and running workshops and professional development opportunities for heritage workers.

For more information on the programme or to book tickets visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/air-faire-tickets-1237430751689?aff=oddtdtcreator