Founded by local women in the 1960s, the museum’s collection reflects the community’s rich social history – with people’s stories and artefacts displayed in two 19th century croft cottages with traditional heather-thatched roofs.

Bringing important stories to life

The infamous Massacre of Glencoe in 1692 is a story known around the world, and it's a story Glencoe Folk Museum will continue to explore through genuine artefacts and an immersive soundscape.

This will sit alongside the personal stories of daily life and work in the area, told through community voices being gathered as part of an ongoing oral history project.

Visitors love the charm and quaintness of our little cottages, we will retain that while creating a space that is accessible to all and suitable to house our amazing collection.

Catriona Davidson, Glencoe Folk Museum curator

Gaelic culture is also an integral part of the redevelopment. Working with academics and local Gaels, the museum will strengthen its Gaelic content, better representing the local community and making Gaelic heritage and language more accessible to visitors.

Thanks to National Lottery players

The major redevelopment project will run an engagement programme for schools and the local community, including talks, children’s craft activities, historic skills workshops and community-led exhibitions.

It aims to raise visitor numbers from 7,000 to 20,000, securing a financially sustainable future for the museum and enabling it to continue telling the story of Glencoe and its people.

Creating a local heritage hub

Museum curator, Catriona Davidson, said: “Visitors love the charm and quaintness of our little cottages, we will retain that while creating a space that is accessible to all and suitable to house our amazing collection.

“We’re particularly excited about ‘The Byre’, our new community gallery in a converted outbuilding which will provide a space for research and intimate events. It will be a real hub for local heritage with a friendly welcome”.

Caroline Clark, the Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, added: “There is a huge amount of passion from the museum’s Board of Trustees and support from the community driving this project. That is something very special that visitors to the museum will experience. It is about people telling their story of their place and its history”.

Find out more

Follow @HeritageFundSco on Twitter for updates on the Glencoe Folk Museum and other projects we’re supporting in Scotland.