Museum of Islay Life

About the museum

The Museum of Islay Life opened in 1977 to conserve and display objects that represent life on Islay over the last 12,000 years. It is housed in the former Kilchoman Free Church in Port Charlotte, on the west side of the island.

The collection includes nearly 3,000 objects and several thousand photographs. They cover Islay life from prehistoric times to recent years, with books, photographs and personal stories, including material on the island in wartime. The Gordon Booth Library holds books, papers and records about Islay, and visitors can ask the museum to see them.

The museum is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation managed by a board of trustees. It depends on admission income, shop sales and membership subscriptions, and members are admitted free.

Highlights

• Objects, books and photographs on Islay life from prehistory to recent times
• Nearly 3,000 objects and several thousand photographs
• Wartime history of the island
• Gordon Booth Library of books, papers and records about Islay
• Housed in the former Kilchoman Free Church

Permanent exhibition

• Islay life through the ages – Objects, books, photographs and stories showing how people lived on Islay from prehistoric times to recent years, including the wartime period.

Founded

1977

Operated by

Museum of Islay Life (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

Admission & discounts

Membership includes free entry; subscriptions help to cover the running costs.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Children are admitted free, and the shop sells toys.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop sells local publications, books, postcards, gifts and toys.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit