West Highland Museum

The West Highland Museum stands in the centre of Fort William, a town in the Scottish Highlands. It occupies a listed building on Cameron Square, one of the oldest in town. The museum tells the story of the Highlands and Islands, covering history, archaeology and wildlife. Victor Hodgson founded it in 1922 after gathering exhibits and books in Monzie Square. In 1926 the British Linen Bank branch became part of the museum. An adjacent building was added in the 1960s, and the museum is now B listed. The museum holds eight rooms on three floors with notable collections. Its Jacobite exhibits include an 18th-century ‘secret portrait’ of Bonnie Prince Charlie, using anamorphosis to hide the image. A Governor’s Room displays the birching table used in Fort William until 1948. The museum also holds artefacts collected by Gaelic folklorist Alexander Carmichael. It acquired the painting *Autumn in Knoydart* in 2020 with grants from The Art Fund and the Scottish government. The Rough Guide calls the museum “splendidly idiosyncratic.” Visitors find a stairlift allowing access to both floors despite the building’s age. The museum’s collections span military history, royal regalia and Highland lore. A mahogany wine table is linked to Colonel John Hill, governor at the time of the Glencoe Massacre. The museum plans to expand into an adjacent shop and old barn for more space. Around forty volunteers support a small team of part-time staff in running the museum.