Gairloch Museum

Gairloch Museum is located in a converted nuclear bunker with galleries showcasing the history, culture and natural heritage of this beautiful area of the North West Highlands. Displays include the original lens from Rubh Re lighthouse, a replica croft house showing how people used to live and an interactive gallery about our magnificent natural world, midges and all!

Our Doors Open Day programme responds to the theme Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine by exploring how heritage skills, stories and collections can be preserved, shared and reinterpreted for future generations. Behind-the-scenes collections tours will provide access to museum objects and archives that are not normally on display, highlighting the importance of caring for and preserving heritage collections so that they remain accessible to future generations. Guided walks of the Achtercairn Archaeology Trail will connect visitors with the remains of an Iron Age settlement, encouraging people to engage with and value an archaeological landscape that can be vulnerable to natural processes, development and loss of local knowledge over time. 

Live wool spinning demonstrations and have-a-go sessions with Overside Wool will showcase traditional textile skills that have played an important role in Highland life. By sharing knowledge of spinning and encouraging participation, the event supports the revival and continuation of heritage craft skills that might otherwise be lost. Together, these activities demonstrate how heritage can be protected, shared and reimagined through hands-on learning, community participation and access to collections, landscapes and traditional skills. 

Store Tours: 11am, 1pm and 3pm

Join us for a special behind-the-scenes tour of our object store – the place where we carefully preserve hundreds of items from the local area that aren’t currently on display. This is a unique opportunity to explore more of the collection and hear the stories behind objects you won’t see in the galleries. 

Led by a member of the museum team, the tour offers insight into how we look after the collection and why some pieces remain in store. From everyday tools and domestic objects to rare finds and local curiosities, the store is full of fascinating material that reflects the history and heritage of our community. 

There’ll be plenty of time to ask questions, and we’re always happy to hear your own memories or connections to what’s in the collection. 

• The tour will last approx 45 mins including time for questions and disucssion  

• Tours are limited to 6 people, please pre-book in advance 

• The store room is cold so bring a cardi or jacket 

Archaeology Walk: 1:30pm

Join volunteer Jeremy Fenton as he leads you round the Achtercairn Archaeology Trail.  

Step back in time on the Achtercairn Roundhouse Trail, where the remains of Iron Age roundhouses tell the story of early life in Gairloch. Discover how people built their homes, used the land, and adapted to their environment over 2,000 years ago. These guided walks bring archaeology to life, offering insights into the daily lives, traditions, and survival strategies of ancient Highland communities. 

• 1.5-2 hour walk with volunteer guide Jeremy.  

• The walk will begin and end at the Museum.  

• Jeremy will lead you round the trail, sharing details about some of our areas earliest settlers and the discoveries made during recent archaeological digs. 

• The walk is free but donations are greatly appreciated.  
• Pre-booking advised.

Joining instructions & accessibility 

• Please arrive 10min before the walk is due to start. 

• Carparking and bike racks are available in the museum carpark. 
• Please meet at the Museum welcome desk.  

• The route is along an uneven hill track, which is narrow, steep, rocky and muddy in places. 

• A reasonable level of fitness required for this walk. If you have any access needs you would like us to know about or are unsure whether this walk is right for you, please get in touch or let us know on booking.