Double windfall for Strathnaver Museum
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Managers of Strathnaver Museum at Bettyhill are celebrating after receiving two substantial funding awards in quick succession.
The National Lottery announced on Wednesday it was awarding its maximum £650,000 Heritage Fund grant to the rural history museum which also this week picked up £113,157 from Museum Galleries Scotland’s Recovery and Resilience Fund.
The grant aid means the museum, based in a 1750s former parish church, is well on the way towards launching its long standing plan to renovate the building and create a world class visitor attraction and community heritage hub.
So far the facility, which tells the story of the Highland Clearances and the history of the Clan Mackay, has secured some £1.7 million of the £1.9 million capital funding costs of the ambitious project.
It is good news for managers who last year launched a crowdfunder amid concerns that the B-listed building could deteriorate to the point it would have to close with the collection it contains removed and put into storage.
Lockdown has also hit the facility hard, with 76 percent of the museum’s income coming from admission and retail sales. The museum attracted more than 6000 visitors through its doors in 2019.
Essential repairs will be undertaken before the property is converted into a modern museum. Plans include a new agricultural annexe and layout to improve the visitor experience along with up-to-date interpretation to tell the stories of the artefacts.
A new archive is also to be created so that the museum can develop a genealogy service.
And there will also be a range of new activities to help address isolation and mental health including courses in traditional craft skills, the opportunity to help build a traditional fishing boat and research a digital Highland Clearances trail.
Museum development manager Fiona Mackenzie said: “We are delighted to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players which will enable us to save our important historic building and the collection it contains for future generations.
“After a very challenging year this funding has made a huge difference to our organisation as we look to the future with an exciting programme of activities for our communities over the next three years and beyond.”
Ms Mackenzie added managers were also grateful for the recovery and resilience funding from Museum Galleries Scotland.
“The funding from Museum Galleries Scotland will enable us to undertake crucial survey work to progress refurbishment and repair plans,” she said.
Strathnaver Museum was one of three heritage sites to receive grant aid in the latest round of lottery funding, Braemar Castle received £555,900 to renew harling and make the building watertight and Trees for Life was awarded £702,300 to establish the world’s first rewilding centre at Dundreggan, Glenmoriston.
National Lottery Heritage Fund director Scotland Caroline Clark said: “We are pleased to be able to support the rural economies that we have funded today (Wednesday). We applaud the hard work and commitment of the communities involved, particularly given the challenges they have had to face over the last year and hope it will allow them to look ahead with renewed optimism.”
Museum Galleries Scotland chief executive Lucy Casot said: “Strathnaver Museum has faced severe difficulties caused by the pandemic but nonetheless have continued their exciting plans for a substantial refurbishment programme to become a heritage hub for north west Sutherland.
“We are delighted that this fund will support the museum to continue its development as an important hub for regional heritage and an asset for its rural community.”
