Atholl Country Life Museum

About the museum

The museum opened in 1982 as the Atholl Country Collection. It grew from the collecting of John Cameron, a local farmer who gathered farm equipment and other objects that might otherwise have been lost. The Duke of Atholl made the former Blair Atholl village school available for the collection, and the museum has continued to grow through donations. A charitable trust was set up in 2004, and the museum is run by volunteers.

The displays focus on the social history of the local community. Three rooms are arranged as a circular tour and include a life-size gamekeeper with local wildlife, a recreated 1930s post office moved from Trinafour, a cottage kitchen of around 1900, horse harnesses, a smithy and a stuffed Highland cow in a byre. The film Voices of Atholl presents memories of older local residents.

Highlights

• Recreated 1930s Trinafour Post Office
• Life-size gamekeeper with local wildlife
• Cottage kitchen, smithy and farm tools
• Stuffed Highland cow in a byre
• Film Voices of Atholl with local memories

Permanent exhibitions

• Atholl Country Collection – Three rooms on the social history of Atholl, with a recreated post office, cottage kitchen, smithy, farm tools and local wildlife.
• Voices of Atholl – A film of short clips in which older local residents share their memories.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Atholl Country Life Museum charitable trust

Admission & discounts

Prices as published on the museum website. Certain events and group bookings are priced on request.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum reports full disabled access and accessible toilets; assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Children are admitted free with a paying adult. No specific children’s programme is listed.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the old school just west of the bridge over the River Tilt; there is a neighbouring cafe and the Atholl Estates Information Centre nearby.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum sells gifts. A neighbouring cafe is next door.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit