Dunbeath Heritage Museum

About the museum

Dunbeath Heritage Museum is housed in the Old School, a school building from the middle of the 19th century in the Caithness village of Dunbeath. It is run by the Dunbeath Preservation Trust, which was set up in 1985 by the then owner of the Dunbeath estate, R. Stanton Avery. A bequest from Avery supports the Trust's long-term work.

The centre serves as a research base and store for archives, photographs and local objects, and it hosts exhibitions, talks, workshops and community events. Its collection includes photographs, family-history records, manuscripts, maps and books. Researchers are asked to call ahead.

The museum is closely tied to the author Neil Gunn: the Neil Gunn Society merged with the Trust, so the centre holds a large body of material about him. It also presents the archaeology of Dunbeath Strath, where a university survey recorded hundreds of sites; the Portormin Runestone, found by local schoolchildren, is among the finds. A visitor trail of thirty numbered sites, from Dun Beath Broch to the Achnagoul chambered cairn, is described on its website. The Trust additionally looks after Dunbeath Harbour and its old storehouses.

Highlights

• Material on the author Neil Gunn
• Archaeology of Dunbeath Strath with a trail of 30 sites
• Stained glass and etched windows
• School pictures and local photographs
• Archive of photographs, manuscripts and maps

Permanent exhibition

• Dunbeath Strath and its people – Displays on local life and history, the Neil Gunn collection, stained glass and school pictures, plus a guide to 30 archaeological sites in the strath.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Dunbeath Preservation Trust

Admission & discounts

Donations are also welcome through the museum's online donation page.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

Ramp at the front entrance and a threshold ramp on request. The exhibition space is on one level with wide doors. There is an older-style accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities. The car park has two designated disabled spaces.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Under-16s enter free. The accessible toilet includes baby-changing facilities.

Getting there & parking

Leave the old A9 just before or after the flyover at Dunbeath and follow the signs; turn left at the second junction. The museum is opposite the fire station.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit