Gairloch Museum is housed in a stunning building - a former nuclear bunker in the centre of Gairloch. The Museum was winner of the Art Fund Museum of the Year Award in 2020. 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! The Museum shop stocks a specialist range of books and CDs of local interest and crafts by local makers. The in-house art gallery hosts a rotation of exhibitions. Am Bard (our new cafe) serves lunches, homebaking, coffees, teas and cold drinks - and has wonderful views across the loch to Skye. Visits to our archive and library can be arranged by appointment.
The best museum I've been to and I have a degree in museum studies. It is informative, beautiful, interesting, and comprehensive in its offerings. All staff were so friendly and helpful. The fact it's in an old bunker is so cool, makes you feel like you're touring history in a piece of history. This museum made me love the town. A MUST SEE stop on the 500
One of the most interesting, informative & friendly museums I have visited, amazing displays, sitting above the sea with an archaeological walk behind through the spring gorse & bluebell woods to ancient dwellings.
Exquisitely designed and curated museum with an exhibits certain to appeal to people of all ages and interests. We spent nearly two hours here on a rainy afternoon, wandering through, poking through small details of crofting life, especially. Friendly and welcoming staff, enjoyed a cuppa and bite in the cafe as well. Thanks, y'all!
What a wonderful collection of artefacts and memorabilia- including the fabulous prism of the old lighthouse! So interesting for all ages. The building itself is a great exhibit built in the 1940's as Gairloch's MOD nuclear fallout bunker constructed of thick concrete and solid steel. must visit! The cafe at the top is first class. Roasted veg / hummus with fresh salad on sourdough bread was delicious!! Great coffee too.
What do you do with a concrete monstrosity left over from the cold war? Answer: convert it into museum reflecting local life. What once was an operations room tracking soviet aircraft now house the largest Fresnel lens built for a lighthouse. Around it are exhibitions reflection local life and history. Don't miss the short film about the area's post WWII experience.
The staff and volunteers are amazingly helpful and enthusiastic. It makes all the difference to the visit to engage with them. Our family got some help on confirming genealogy from the museum's volunteer with an interest in genealogy. She was very knowledgeable and welcoming. There is a lot to see and take in. One of volunteers was a crofter and hearing first hand about that life was great. The cafe is amazing. With freshly baked goods and food. The cheese and seaweed scone, still warm from the oven were fabulous. A must for those interested in life in the Highlands - then and now.
On-site services
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Gender-neutral toilets
Restaurant
Toilets
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Good for kids
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The best museum I've been to and I have a degree in museum studies. It is informative, beautiful, interesting, and comprehensive in its offerings. All staff were so friendly and helpful. The fact it's in an old bunker is so cool, makes you feel like you're touring history in a piece of history. This museum made me love the town. A MUST SEE stop on the 500
One of the most interesting, informative & friendly museums I have visited, amazing displays, sitting above the sea with an archaeological walk behind through the spring gorse & bluebell woods to ancient dwellings.
Exquisitely designed and curated museum with an exhibits certain to appeal to people of all ages and interests. We spent nearly two hours here on a rainy afternoon, wandering through, poking through small details of crofting life, especially. Friendly and welcoming staff, enjoyed a cuppa and bite in the cafe as well. Thanks, y'all!
What a wonderful collection of artefacts and memorabilia- including the fabulous prism of the old lighthouse! So interesting for all ages. The building itself is a great exhibit built in the 1940's as Gairloch's MOD nuclear fallout bunker constructed of thick concrete and solid steel. must visit! The cafe at the top is first class. Roasted veg / hummus with fresh salad on sourdough bread was delicious!! Great coffee too.
What do you do with a concrete monstrosity left over from the cold war? Answer: convert it into museum reflecting local life. What once was an operations room tracking soviet aircraft now house the largest Fresnel lens built for a lighthouse. Around it are exhibitions reflection local life and history. Don't miss the short film about the area's post WWII experience.
The staff and volunteers are amazingly helpful and enthusiastic. It makes all the difference to the visit to engage with them. Our family got some help on confirming genealogy from the museum's volunteer with an interest in genealogy. She was very knowledgeable and welcoming. There is a lot to see and take in. One of volunteers was a crofter and hearing first hand about that life was great. The cafe is amazing. With freshly baked goods and food. The cheese and seaweed scone, still warm from the oven were fabulous. A must for those interested in life in the Highlands - then and now.
