Clan Gunn Heritage Centre and Museum

About the museum

The Clan Gunn Heritage Centre occupies the former parish church of Latheron, a building from the early 1730s to which a bellcote was added in 1822. The Clan Gunn Society, which was re-founded in 1960 and has members in many countries, turned the church into a heritage centre; it was officially opened on 22 August 1985.

The exhibition follows the Gunn family from its legendary Norse ancestry and links with the earls of Orkney through the troubled centuries of northern Scotland. Displays touch on the 1745 uprising and the Highland Clearances, and there is a section on the author Neil M. Gunn. A replica of the Raven Banner, a Viking helmet and a longship model recall the Norse period, and a cast of the Westford Knight carving relates to a claimed voyage to North America in 1398.

The centre also looks after a clan archive built on genealogical research by clan historians, which is open to visitors. The old pulpit has been kept as a centrepiece of the former church, whose white walls and good light make a surprisingly spacious gallery. The centre is run by the Clan Gunn Society and is used by clan members from around the world as a place to trace their roots.

Highlights

• Exhibition on the Norse origins and history of Clan Gunn
• Replica Raven Banner, Viking helmet and longship model
• Cast of the Westford Knight carving
• Section on the author Neil M. Gunn
• Clan archive for family-history research
• Former pulpit kept as a centrepiece

Permanent exhibition

• The story of Clan Gunn – Displays on the clan's Norse origins, its history in Caithness and Sutherland up to the present day, and well-known members of the family.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Clan Gunn Society

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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

The building and the shop can be entered in a wheelchair, but there are steps into and around the exhibition, so access to the displays is limited (Doors Open Days listing).

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The church stands just east of Latheron village. Following the A99 north-east from the A9/A99 junction, the access road is on the right immediately after the war memorial.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small shop selling Clan Gunn items.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit