Benholm and Johnshaven Heritage Museum

Aberdeenshire

Located in the heart of the historic fishing village of Johnshaven, the Benholm and Johnshaven Heritage Hub Museum is housed within the former Lifeboat House, built in 1891. Run entirely by dedicated volunteers, the museum celebrates the rich history and heritage of Benholm Parish and offers visitors an engaging and hands-on insight into local life.

This year's exhibition, Land and Sea, explores how generations of local people lived between two worlds – the fertile farmland inland and the challenging waters of the North Sea. Many families combined farming and fishing, working the land while also earning a living from the sea. The exhibition highlights the skills, traditions and resilience that shaped a community whose identity was forged by both environments.

As part of European Heritage Days, the exhibition also explores heritage at risk in coastal communities, documenting local stories, dialect and traditions while examining the challenges facing rural and coastal areas today. Through the work of its volunteers, the museum demonstrates how local communities can preserve and share their own heritage for future generations.

The museum occupies a Category C listed building within the Johnshaven Conservation Area. Originally constructed to house the village lifeboats, the former Lifeboat House remains an important landmark on the harbour front and a key part of the village's architectural and maritime heritage.

Activities:

• Explore the Land and Sea exhibition
• Discover the history of farming and fishing communities in Benholm Parish
• Hands-on displays and heritage exhibits
• Children's area with toys and self-guided activities

 Visitor Information:

• No booking required
• Split-level building with ramps available; wheelchair access may be limited in some areas due to space restrictions
• On-street parking available around the harbour area

Facilities

• Disabled Access
• Disabled WC
• WC
• Events For Children
• Limited Access

Additional Access Information

• Wheelchair access is slightly limited for space and the building is split level but ramps make the building accessible
• There is on-street parking around the harbour area