Tarbat Discovery Centre

15/10/2026

🚨 Only 1 week until our next talk by David Alston, 'The Rosses of Cadboll and Berbice: Kindred Spirits?'.

David will reveal the largely unknown story of the Ross family of Cadboll and their links with Guyana, as well as the lives of their mixed-race children.

Tickets available here: https://buytickets.at/tarbatdiscoverycentre/2446956

🗓 Thursday 22nd October
⏰ 7:30pm
📍 Tarbat Discovery Centre

📣 Our next talk will be given by Dr David Alston, author of 'Slaves and Highlanders: Silenced Histories of Scotland and the Caribbean', on Thursday 22nd October.

In his talk, titled 'The Rosses of Cadboll and Berbice (Guyana): Kindred Spirits?' David will discuss the Ross family of nearby Cadboll estate and their involvement in plantations on Guyana, and reveal the lives of their mixed race children.

🎟 Tickets available here: https://buytickets.at/tarbatdiscoverycentre/2446956

This talk has been arranged for Black History Month which runs throughout October, aiming to shine a light on the key role Black and minority ethnic communities and individuals have played in influencing Scotland’s past and present. Events have been organised across Scotland and you can access the full programme here: https://www.blackhistorymonthscotland.org/

🗓 Thursday 22nd October
⏰ 7:30pm
📍 Tarbat Discovery Centre

14/10/2026

Reminder that tomorrow we will have a Halloween Crafternoon!

🎃 Come along to make some decorations and learn about Scottish Halloween traditions. We will also show the short film 'Room on the Broom'. All ages welcome and materials will be provided.

08/10/2026

📣 Our next talk will be given by Dr David Alston, author of 'Slaves and Highlanders: Silenced Histories of Scotland and the Caribbean', on Thursday 22nd October.

In his talk, titled 'The Rosses of Cadboll and Berbice (Guyana): Kindred Spirits?' David will discuss the Ross family of nearby Cadboll estate and their involvement in plantations on Guyana, and reveal the lives of their mixed race children.

🎟 Tickets available here: https://buytickets.at/tarbatdiscoverycentre/2446956

This talk has been arranged for Black History Month which runs throughout October, aiming to shine a light on the key role Black and minority ethnic communities and individuals have played in influencing Scotland’s past and present. Events have been organised across Scotland and you can access the full programme here: https://www.blackhistorymonthscotland.org/

🗓 Thursday 22nd October
⏰ 7:30pm
📍 Tarbat Discovery Centre

07/10/2026

Things are getting spooky at the Discovery Centre during the October holidays...

There is plenty going on to keep our younger audiences entertained!

🎃 Come along on Thursday 15th October to learn about Scottish Halloween traditions and make some decorations. We will also show the short film 'Room on the Broom'. All ages welcome and materials will be provided.

👻 On 31st October the Discovery Centre will be open from 6pm-7pm for a spooky hour. Dressing up is encouraged, and we will have the ever-popular 'Pin the Nose on the Witch' game and Halloween treats available. Are you brave enough to enter?

05/10/2026

What does managing a heritage centre in the Highlands have in common with a week in Valletta?

Quite a lot, as it turns out!

For Heritage Careers Week, we’re sharing a little glimpse into the opportunities a career in heritage can bring. Our manager Sam recently swapped the Highlands for Malta after being selected as one of just 10 European heritage professionals to take part in Europa Nostra’s Inclusive Heritage Residency!

From exchanging ideas with heritage professionals across Europe to exploring how we can make heritage more inclusive, sustainable and community-led, Sam has shared the story of her whirlwind trip in our latest newsletter.

📩 Sign up to the Tarbat Discovery Centre newsletter to keep up to date! https://www.tarbat-discovery.co.uk

Read about what Sam got up to in this months edition: https://sh1.sendinblue.com/mk/sc/ElAjRrJy8wWI0jv5y5NBIqIgn2leNVSAdFEcNiK3VfN6JPbMP8bxxPsgslbFISwf0iTblDLgYrytloNugJEpdVIK0HDDpw?t=1790669766176&fbclid=IwdGRjcAUwU1dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUPvhuZPXRhw2fPLZh0JMwa8NgsYxd3NydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7zoXWk4fSJhA2xv8y0JL1LBpc5jd-LvcXySZKIaLWta-KFX3KnE6PzGzjklw_aem_AzZ_MT1yepQIZJnPhcCSpQ

Museums and Heritage Highland Europa Nostra

03/10/2026

🏛️ Happy Scottish Museums Day!

2,000 years of stories, all tucked away in our wee corner of the Highlands.

Here at Tarbat Discovery Centre, every stone, carving and discovery helps us piece together the story of the people who called Tarbat home before us.

From the remarkable Pictish monastery at Portmahomack and beautifully carved stones uncovered during archaeological excavations, to the medieval church that now houses our museum - there’s a lot of history beneath our feet!

But a museum is about more than the objects inside it. It’s about the people who uncover them, research them, care for them, volunteer their time and, of course, everyone who comes through our doors curious to discover a little more.

So, this , we’re celebrating the stories we’ve uncovered, the ones we’re still piecing together, and everyone who helps us keep them alive.

If you haven’t visited us yet, perhaps today is the perfect excuse. 👀

01/10/2026

Did you know we have a monthly newsletter?

Keep up to date with all things Tarbat Discovery Centre and sign up today! With stories from the graveyard, to updates on events, it’s a great way to see what’s going on and support the centre no matter where you are!

Sign up today! 👉 https://sh1.sendinblue.com/mk/sc/ElAjRrJy8wWI0jv5y5NBIqIgn2leNVSAdFEcNiK3VfN6JPbMP8bxxPsgslbFISwf0iTblDLgYrytloNugJEpdVIK0HDDpw?t=1790669766176

01/10/2026

Can you believe October is here already?

We’ve got some incredible stories lined up for this month - think clan arguments, witchcraft and folklore throughout the ages

Stay tuned, share with a friend, and make sure you are following us to learn more! 👻

25/09/2026

are back!

We love our wee centre, but we aren’t the only ones! Pop in and see it for yourself!

VisitScotland The Pictish Arts Society Highland Pictish Trail

24/09/2026

Let the commence!

We are competing to find the best star object this month, and if we say so ourselves, we’ve got a pretty good one.

Representing Tarbat Discovery Centre, we’re sending the Calf Stone into battle!

Dating back to the 8th century, it was discovered right here at Portmahomack during archaeological excavations and is now one of the most popular objects in our Treasury.

Unlike many Pictish carvings, there are no Pictish or Christian symbols. Instead, it shows a calf between two cattle, with two mysterious creatures above.

And there could be more to those cattle than meets the eye. 📖🐄 Around 185 calf skins were used to create the vellum pages of the Book of Kells. Illustrated manuscripts were also produced here at Portmahomack, meaning cattle could have played an important role in both agriculture and manuscript production.

More than 1,000 years later, cattle are still a familiar sight across Tarbat Ness and we wonder what the stone meant to the people who carved it!

We challenge Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre next - let’s see what you’ve got!

Museums and Heritage Highland