West Highland Museum

02/06/2026

🏔️ Temporary Exhibition: The Ben Nevis Observatory
📅 From now until 24 June
📍 West Highland Museum, Fort William

From 1883 to 1904, a team of remarkable scientists lived and worked year‑round on the summit of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Battling extreme weather and isolation, they carried out pioneering research that shaped our understanding of mountain meteorology.

Our exhibition shares their extraordinary story — the daily challenges, the scientific breakthroughs, and the human resilience behind life at the Ben Nevis Observatory.

02/06/2026

📆Come along to hear all about our plans.

Use the QR code or the link below to register or just drop in, refreshments will be available too ☕️🧁

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/charity/west-highland-museum/event/special-museum-update-event

01/06/2026

❤️ A big thank you to Inverness Outlanders and Diana Gabaldon for their support of our museum's redevelopment.

❤️ And, a big thank you to lottery players. We have secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the development phase of our project and now need your support to help fundraising for the redevelopment.

📌 Visit our website to find out how you can help: https://www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk/support-us/

⚡️If you're in Fort William on Thursday afternoon, pop over to Highland Cinema 🎥 at 4pm to find out more about our plans!

How did we end up spending the day with Diana Gabaldon? It’s the question everyone’s been asking, and the short answer is: because Diana is one of the most generous, thoughtful, and down-to-earth f…

01/06/2026

Did you know that this week is ?

This week is and today is all about using AI in a museum.

The main advantage of using AI is increased accessability- look at all the fabulous virtual tours that were on offer over the Covid period. In many cases AI can improve operational efficiency by managing ticket availibility.

There are a few disadvantages worth commenting on where AI is concerned however. There can be a high cost- both environmentally and monetarily.
There is also the issue of bias or misinformation. I popped onto AI chat and asked for an image of a Viking and this was what I received! It's a fallacy that Viking folk wore horns on their helmets (material evidence would suggest they generally used horns as drinking vessels or bugle like instruments). Other aspects of this image aren't overly correct either, so as museums we must ensure that we thoroughly check everything we produce, if it's produced using AI.

01/06/2026

As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a massive 🙏 THANK YOU 🙏 to all of our wonderful West Highland Museum volunteers 🏛️.
Your time, enthusiasm, knowledge and dedication help bring our collections and stories to life for visitors every day.
🎉🎉We truly couldn’t do it without you 🎉🎉 Thank you for everything you do!
It's easy to join our invaluable volunteer group, just complete & submit this form to get started https://form.jotform.com/232484520312043

30/05/2026

✨ Did you know ... ✨

Becoming a Friend of the West Highland Museum is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to support your local Museum?

Your membership helps us to:

💟 Care for more than 8,000 historic objects
💟 Deliver school and community learning programmes
💟 Support volunteers and outreach
💟 Keep the Museum free for everyone
💟 Protect Highland heritage for the future

Join now - https://www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk/support-us-update/

Help us serve Lochaber for the next 100 years — and be part of our exciting future

30/05/2026

Date for your diary!

Saturday 6th June

To commemorate the raising of the Commandos in June 1940, History Haven will be having a go at making paracord keyrings and bracelets, complete with a compass. Military green is a timeless classic, but let's be bold, use shocking pink as a game-changer if you fancy! 😜. See you there, where inspiration awaits!! 😉

Drop in and give it a go! We will be here from 10am to 12.30pm on Saturday 6th June.

29/05/2026

Did you know the last Friday of the month is European Neighbours’ Day, an annual celebration aimed at fostering community spirit and strengthening bonds among neighbours across Europe.

Your museum is currently undertaking a project with

We have been focussing on our Jacobite Collection, and that of Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912). Carmichael was a significant Scottish folklorist, author and antiquarian who collected Gaelic material culture and recorded oral traditions.

We are working in partnership with many of our European Neighbours on this project including Malta, Cyprus, Spain and Italy.

Feel free to come in and explore both collections. Your museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am- 5pm (last entry 4.30pm)

27/05/2026

📆Save the date and come along to hear all about our plans.

Use the QR code or the link below to register or just drop in, refreshments will be available too ☕️🧁

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/charity/west-highland-museum/event/special-museum-update-event