Findhorn Heritage Centre and Icehouse

About the museum

The Findhorn Heritage Centre and Icehouse are run by volunteers as a Scottish charity and tell the story of Findhorn from prehistoric times to the present day. The two sites lie close to each other at the north end of the village on the Moray coast.

The Icehouse has underground arched chambers that are more than 150 years old. Ice was stored here to chill salmon on its way to the London markets, and the chambers now show all aspects of the net salmon fishing industry, including the history of ice houses, the life cycle of the Atlantic salmon, a fisherman's life in the bothies and salmon netting along the Moray coast. A story chair plays recorded memories of salmon fishers from the 1950s.

The Heritage Centre, housed in two large sheds, shows the earliest residents of the area and a Bronze Age burial urn. It also covers the lost port of Findhorn, which was washed away about 300 years before it was rediscovered in 2002, the trade of the seaport of Forres with the Baltic and continental ports, and the Findhorn class yacht that was developed and raced here. Further displays cover local wildlife, historic photographs, Second World War material linked to practice landings for D-Day, and a board of recent bird sightings.

Highlights

• Underground icehouse chambers more than 150 years old
• Displays on the net salmon fishing industry
• The lost port of Findhorn, rediscovered in 2002
• Story chair with recorded memories of salmon fishers
• Bird sightings board

Permanent exhibitions

• Icehouse – Underground chambers that once stored ice for chilling salmon now show the history of the local net salmon fishing industry.
• Heritage Centre – Displays on the lost port of Findhorn, the Findhorn class yacht, local wildlife and village history from prehistoric times to the Second World War.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Findhorn Village Heritage (Scottish Charity No. SC020798)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free and donations are appreciated. Parties can visit by special arrangement.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Parking is free next to the entrance of each building, and the Icehouse has a completely level, step-free floor. Most of the Heritage Centre is step-free, but the first shed has a raised floor along a third of its length reached by a single step. The doors between the Icehouse chambers are about 1 metre wide and quite low, the lowest being 1.5 metres high. Display information is in large print, and the film on salmon fishing is not subtitled. An accessible toilet is in the Heritage Centre, and there is another refurbished toilet block near the sand dunes. All dogs are welcome and water bowls are provided.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities: not available

A short children's quiz is available at both buildings, with a small prize drawn for the first correct entries at the end of each season. There are no baby changing facilities in the toilets.

Getting there & parking

The buildings are at the north end of the village. On entering Findhorn, follow the sea front and then the signs at the Crown and Anchor Hotel to the Heritage Centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

There are no refreshments on site, but several cafes and pubs are a short distance away in the village.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit