Strathnaver Folk Museum

Strathnaver Museum is a locally run museum which first opened to the public in 1976. It is housed in what was at the eastern end of Bettyhill on the north coast of Sutherland. Head east along the coast for a visit to Strathnaver Museum, run by dedicated local volunteers and home to a fascinating collection of local artefacts and archive material.

April 2009

Taigh-tasgaidh Srath Nabhair Strathnaver Museum takes part in Show Scotland 2009

Show Scotland, the museums and galleries big events weekend is back, this year taking place 1– 4 May 2009 with lots more creative and unusual events for all the family. Throughout the Show Scotland weekend museums and galleries across the country will open their doors to a fantastic range of events including late night openings with live entertainment, fun family activities and specially created arts performances. 

Strathnaver Museum has organised ‘Clan Mackay goes Global’ on May 2nd especially for the Show Scotland 2009 weekend.

Background

Strathnaver Museum is at the heart of the community in North Sutherland; sustaining and preserving the traditions and history that the people of ‘Duthaich Mhic Aoidh’ Mackay Country are proud of and wish to safeguard for future generations. The museum represents the history of the communities of the ancient province of Strathnaver; which comprises the parishes of Tongue, Melness, Farr and Melvich . Strathnaver was the ancient homeland of The Clan Mackay and as such The Clan Mackay are an intrinsic part of North Sutherland’s history and is therefore rightfully represented within the museum.

The Mackay Room is the only exhibition space dedicated to the Clan Mackay in Scotland. Artefacts and memorabilia are on show to all who visit the museum of Mackay Country, in Bettyhill, Sutherland in the far North of Scotland.

Strathnaver Museum, in this the year of Homecoming, would like to develop this area of the museum further. This work will be contribute to the future refurbishment of the museum; which if funding is secured, will be the most significant project ever undertaken in the museum’s history.

Working together with the Clan Mackay os an essential aspect of this and the museum was most pleased when The Honourable Elizabeth Fairbairn, Honorary President of the Clan Mackay Society, recently agreed to be patron of this cause.

Frances Gunn Museum Director said

’ The museum wishes to develop stronger links with Mackays all over the county, country and the world with the aim of bringing together this dispersed group of people with common ancestral links to create a focal point for all within the museum. It is hoped the Mackay Room will , in due course, become a vibrant representation of the Clan Mackay containing both historical and contemporary information and we hope the event on May 2nd will be a great starting point’.

Clan Mackay goes Global for Homecoming 2009

In order to try to reach out to as many Mackay’s,Mackay descendents ,people with a connection and/or interest in the Clan Mckay as possible; an exciting and ambitious project had been devised. Clan Mackay Goes Global. Thanks to funding from Museums and Galleries Scotland augmenting the museums own budget, Strathnaver is to host a launch event within the museum on May the 2nd as part of ‘Show Scotland’ activities.

 The 2 main aspects of The Global Clan Reunion are:

1.    Mackays, of all ages, will be encouraged to come to the museum, dress in their own or provided Clan attire and be photographed in the museum to create a ‘Mackay Gallery’. Visit the exhibitions and enjoy music and hospitality.

2.    As we hope there will be hundreds of people who may wish to take part but are too far away to visit; Clan Societies and individuals from around the world will be invited to supply their own photos and then send the images by e-mail or on disc to be added to the Mackay library.

The images collected will be exhibited within the museum in 2009 ‘The Year of Homecoming’ and will also be used to create a virtual gallery on the museum website.  The genealogy information gathered will be used to initiate a Strathnaver Museum Mackay database.

Strathnaver Museum needs the Clan Mackay to make this a reality.

Are you a Mackay and want the chance to participate in this important Homecoming 2009 Mackay project? We will look forward to hearing from you soon. Please register your interest with the museum by e-mail or phone. Bookings are being taken for photographs, by April 25th please.Please e-mail: strathnavermus@ukonline.co.uk Or call 01641521418. If no answer, please leave a message. Please also see www.strathnavermus.org.uk for more information about the museum. For details of all Show Scotland events taking place across the country visit www.showscotland.com.  Show Scotland is coordinated by Museums Galleries Scotland and has been running since 2006. For further information please contact: Rachel Skene rachel.skene@btinternet.com / 07545572167

"... journey with us from the mystical past of prehistory to the emergence of the Clan Mackay.."

The Museum of Mackay Country

The Museum is located in the former church of St Columba, built in 1700, on a spectacular stretch of northern coastline at Clachan, Bettyhill. If you are young or old, or somewhere in between, you can be sure of a welcome from the friendly and enthusiastic staff. Come and explore our traditional museum, join us for a workshop or event, search our archives and collection for the stories and clues to our Highland past, and find a few surprises along the way. The Museum Archives and Library provide an excellent resource base for those interested in researching the archaeology, history or genealogy of Strathnaver. The plans for our museum refurbishment will create a new library area to enable easier access to this information. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact the Museum if you require any assistance with research. Material for research can also be viewed at the Museum by appointment.
Strathnaver Folk Museum