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Our hard-working staff and volunteers need and deserve some time off!  But we know that you might want to visit our Museum too so here is the plan for the rest of December and into January:Monday 23rd  – open 10am till 4pmTuesday 24th – open  10am till 3pmChristmas Day, 25th – closedThursday 26th –  open 10am till 4pmFriday 27th – open 10am till 4pmSaturday 28th – open 10am till 4pmSunday 29th – closedMonday 30th – open 10am till 4pmTuesday 31st – open 10am till 3pmNew Year’s Day – closedThursday 2nd January – open 10am till 4pmFriday 3rd January – open 10am till 4pmSaturday 4th January – open 10am till 4pmSunday 5th January – closedMonday 6th January  – back to normal winter hours of 10am till 4pmNollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ùr Dhuibh!A Merry Christmas and a Good New Year to You!

We are very pleased to advise that this new acquisition for our world renowned Jacobite Collection has recently been purchased at auction.Hidden portrait snuff boxes are among the most iconic Jacobite works of art.  A Jacobite host could give his friends a pinch of snuff, and depending on the company, could reveal the hidden portrait.Decorated with enamel, the hinged cover opens to a plain interior.The hidden double lid opens to reveal an enamelled portrait of Prince Charles Edward Stuart.  The portrait is a variant of the famous Sir Robert Strange example and dates this piece to circa 1750.We were able to acquire this with the support of the National Fund for Acquisitions, the Art Fund and a private donor.

While our Jacobite Collection is already internationally-recognised, we are now delighted to have items from the prestigious Drambuie Collection on long term loan to us, with the kind permission of William Grant & Sons.The additional items include a selection of rare and fascinating glassware that illustrate some of the secret symbols that Jacobites used to reveal themselves to their friends and to hide their allegiance to the Stuarts from their enemies.One of the highlights of this beautiful collection is an extremely rare enamelled portrait glass of Prince Charles Edward Stuart.  The only other one known to exist is at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.There is also a selection of unique relics on display including an enamel snuff box with a hidden portrait of Prince Charles and piece of the mast of the boat in which the Prince crossed from Skye to Loch Nevis in July 1746.So if you haven’t visited us for some time please do so and also see the many other changes that have taken place over the past few years.

Over the busy Summer months of July and August, the Museum will be open from 11am till 3pm each Sunday. We’re not only one of the best independent Museums in the country but we have an excellent bookshop and gift-shop too, which you’ll find of interest!

Monday 26th March marked the end of Fiona Marwick’s term as Curator.  Fiona first started as Secretary and Curator in 1986 and served until 2007, leaving to bring up family and then returning part-time in 2012.  She brought much experience to the Museum and was its first qualified curator.  For 30 years her name has been synonymous with the Museum and she brought it to its present highly-regarded position.The Museum Trust also welcomes Vanessa Martin, Spean Bridge, as the next Curator who will have Fiona as mentor for a period.  Vanessa has had much voluntary experience of museums elsewhere and has carried out several tasks for the West Highland Museum over the past 7 years, particularly helping gain accreditation from Museum Galleries Scotland.Colleen Barker will remain as Manager.Marking the changes, John Hutchison, Chairman said, “Past and present trustees are very grateful for Fiona’s professionalism and dedication to the Museum and we wish her well in her other interests.  We are also delighted to welcome Vanessa Martin who joins our strong team.”