The Highlanders' Museum
Fort George, Ardersier, Inverness, Inverness-Shire, IV2 7TD [ Map ]
Tel: 01667 460466 | Fax: 0131 310 8701 | Web: http://www.thehighlandersmuseum.com
The Highlanders Museum is based at Fort George near Inverness. Our main aim is to be the best Regimental Museum in the Country. To explain the fascinating history of the Highlands and Islands as told through the eyes of the Army Regiments raised from the Clans and Communities of the Region. We attract over 65,000 visitors each year. The last time any significant work was undertaken to the Museum buildings was the early 1980s, as such it is not surprising that after 30 years of operation it is now in need of an upgrade to modern standards. The detailed planning for this Redevelopment has begun, and the project as a whole is set to cost £3 million and will be complete in September 2012.
Collection Care:
We house the largest collection of historic military artefacts outside of London. Unfortunately some of these artefacts are starting to deteriorate due to adverse environmental factors, the temperature and humidity vary far too greatly within the Museum. Our aim through our Redevelopment Project will see the introduction of 50 new heritage grade display cases with state of the art climate control systems that will preserve artefacts. The Redevelopment Project also includes the provision of a new building ventilation system which will aid to prevent further harm to the artefacts.
Accessibility:
The Museum aims to be fully independently accessible for any of our visitors, regardless of physical capability. The current accessibility systems only allow independent access to the ground floor, leaving the other two floors inaccessible.
Display Interpretation:
Due to the way the Museum has grown over the past 30 years, practically all of the artefacts donated have been put on display. This has meant that the current displays are not logically laid out to our visitors. Crucially the most popular and key displays are housed on the top floor of the museum. This poses a problem with regards to access for our disabled visitors. The Redevelopment Project will put all the key displays on the ground and 1st floors, with only the archive and secondary displays on the second floor. This will allow the key displays to be accessed by our disabled visitors for the first time.
Education Facilities:
There are currently no dedicated education spaces at the Museum but with the Redevelopment Project this will be remedied. The Museum will have a new library and study centre. As part of the plan we will also be installing state of the art computers with wi-fi access. The library and study centre will be an invaluable resource for the local community and schools, with a view to linking the collection here to the national curriculum for excellence as closely as possible. In addition new Gaelic medium educational resources will be produced for the first time, to explain the fascinating part Gaelic has played in the history of the Regiments.
Hours of Business
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
The Highlanders' Museum is listed under...
