Garioch Heritage Centre

About the museum

Garioch Heritage Centre opened in October 2017 and houses the collections of the Garioch Heritage Society, a group that has researched the history of the area and gathered artefacts since 1987. The centre tells the story of life in the Garioch, in the heart of Aberdeenshire, from the earliest settlement to the present day, with a focus on the domestic and working lives of local people.

It is based in the renovated Carriage and Waggon Workshop, part of the Inverurie Locomotive Works. The works closed for the last time in 1969, and the building now keeps the memory of the railway works alive under its original 20-ton crane. The distinctive saw-tooth roof makes it easy to spot behind the town's supermarket.

The upstairs gallery is reached by lift and is reviewed and extended regularly, with more technology and a historical timeline. A downstairs gallery hosts changing exhibitions, events and workshops. The centre is run by volunteers, who offer guided tours, and it also has a reading area with photographs and archive material, a gift shop and a cafe.

Highlights

• Upstairs gallery on life in the Garioch from earliest settlement to today
• Former Inverurie Locomotive Works building with its original 20-ton crane
• Guided tours led by local volunteers
• Reading area with photographs and archive material
• Cafe Loco and gift shop

Permanent exhibition

• Life in the Garioch – Upstairs gallery of artefacts, photographs and displays on the history of the Garioch from earliest settlement to the present, including the domestic and working life of local people and the railway works.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Garioch Heritage Society

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free and donations are welcome. The downstairs gallery regularly hosts special exhibitions that may carry a small entry charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

The upstairs gallery is reached by a lift. Tourism listings describe the permanent exhibition as accessible, with Blue Badge parking by the entrance and an accessible toilet.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The centre has activities for younger visitors and offers educational visits for nurseries, primary and secondary schools.

Getting there & parking

The centre is on the site of the old railway works behind the Aldi store in Inverurie.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Cafe Loco serves light lunches, scones, coffee and tea, with outdoor tables on sunny days. A gift shop is on site. No external catering is allowed in the hire rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 200 guests.

The meeting room (about 13 m by 6 m) holds up to 100 people with built-in AV equipment; the gallery (about 15 m by 15 m) holds 100 to 200 depending on layout. Charges vary for business, charity and community users.

Plan your visit