The West Highland Museum proudly collects and preserves items with a special connection to the history and culture of the West Highlands.
As one of the oldest museums in the West Highlands, the museum is perfectly placed to document and champion the colourful history of the area. Home to a wealth of curious objects, the collections explore everything relating to the area, from life in the local town of Fort William, archaeology and military history to Victoriana.
Some highlights include salvage from the wreck of the Spanish Galleon dating back to the 1700s, a stunning pair of late-Bronze Age armlets that have a heart-warming backstory, and a remarkable collection of works relating to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite cause.
Lochaber, known as the ‘cradle’ of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, where the museum is located is intertwined with the story of the exiled prince and the unsuccessful attempts to restore his place on the throne. When events came to a head in 1746 the prince famously hid in the Highland lochs, birthing the legend of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Highland adventure.
The West Highland Museum are crowdfunding on Art Happens to bring Bonnie Prince Charlie home, bringing previously unseen portraits of the exiled Stuart dynasty back to Scotland for a major exhibition – follow their journey to raise £25,000 and find out more about the campaign.
