West Highland Museum
The West Highland Museum is one of the oldest museums in the Highlands. It was founded in 1922 by a group of local enthusiasts led by Victor Hodgson, who had neither a collection nor a building to display it in.
Victor Hodgson devoted many years to a detailed study of the history and archaeology of the Western Highlands, and In 1922 founded the West Highland Museum at Fort William of which he was secretary. It collected croft house furniture and other artefacts.
In 1925, after several temporary exhibitions and the acquisition of significant collections, the Museum launched a fundraising appeal and, in 1926 purchased the present building, a former branch of the British Linen Bank. Descendants of Victor Hodgson are still involved with the Museum today.
Map
This map shows the origin of items from the main themes of Jacobite and Highland Life. The map also has other items hidden which can be accessed when the map is full-screen.
Jacobite
The word Jacobite comes from Jacobus, the latin form of James, so literally meant a supporter of the line of James. James VI of Scotland, from the House of Stewart (or Stuart, the French spelling) was crowned King of England in 1603 and the Stuarts reigned over both Scotland and England until the death of Queen Anne in 1714.
Highland Life
The Scottish Highlands as a region is now world famous for its extraordinary landscape and its appeal for travellers as a place for fresh air, down-to-earth hospitality, and a wealth of outdoor pursuits – from hill-walking and golf to white-water rafting and mountain-biking.