If you’re planning a great day out with the kids whilst staying at our boutique hotel, a visit to the Highland Folk Open Air Museum is an interactive outdoor adventure the whole family can enjoy.
The mile-long path takes you along a route past a traditional school, houses, and shops plus so much more. There’s even a model cow for the kids to milk.
The setting takes you through life as it was in the Scottish Highlands from the 17th century right through to the modern era.
Attraction Information
300 years of history recreated in a thriving, traditional township as it was in the 1700s.
You’ll see heather thatched houses made out of turf with traditional peat fires. Plus, there’s a working croft with ducks, horses, cattle, hand pumps, tractors and vintage farm machinery. There’s even a teacher in the old Highland school that’s made out of tin.
The open-air museum has it all, a water-powered sawmill to a clockmaker’s workshop and a 1950s summer house.
Children can have fun in the playground and they can learn all about life in the Scottish Highlands in times long past!
A wide range of facilities
There are lots of facilities on-site which include a café, toilets and baby changing facilities at the main reception area and at the Croft and Township.
The café is open seven days a week from 10.15am to 16.45pm offering a take-away menu. There’s a limited amount of indoor seating available too. But you’ll find picnic benches strategically dotted around the museum.
There’s also a ‘caterpod’ which is open at weekends and school holidays found in the covered picnic area.
A gift shop selling souvenirs and gifts
You’ll find a gift shop at the entrance that offers souvenirs, local crafts, toys and so much more. You can also buy refreshments, ice cream and clothing for sale in the gift shop.
Kirk’s Sweetie Shop
Kids love Kirk’s Sweetie Shop, which is open at the weekends and during school holidays.
There’s a great selection of traditional sweets lining the shelves. Plus, you can visit the Croft House’s recreation of a 1930s living room.
The brilliant Highland Folk Museum Collections
There’s so much to see and do at the Highland Folk Museum. It includes their brilliant ‘Collections’ which we’ve listed below.
The Agricultural Collection
With several thousand things to see, there’s something of interest for everyone. There are farm implements from times past to modern farming implements on display.
The Domestic Collection
With two thousand items in the collection that range from cooking utensils to lighting, heating and laundry to traditional furniture and house fittings.
All are wonderfully displayed for maximum enjoyment and education.
Crafts, Trades and Industries
There are also superb exhibits of traditional crafts which include a mason, shoemaker, joiner, smithy and wheelwright.
Plus, there are shops and market exhibits showing traditional industries that include fishing, forestry and textiles.
Traditional Buildings
There are traditional buildings which include a smokehouse, school, clockmaker’s workshop, church, post office, croft house, joiner’s shop and railway halt to explore.
Applied Arts
There’s a lovely collection of applied arts all created by cairds which include items made of silver, jewellery and fascinating horn work.
Textiles and Costumes
There’s a great selection of Highland flat textiles on display at the museum. From tartan items to traditional hand-woven blankets.
Plus, you’ll find some lovely examples of linen which is all locally produced.
Sports and Pastimes
The sports area has a brilliant collection of curling stones and many other shinty artefacts and memorabilia.
There’s a great collection of game shooting material and an important collection of vintage sporting guns.
More information
Assistance dogs are welcome at the open-air museum. Plus, there’s an enclosure for other dogs which provides shelter and water for your four-legged friends.
There’s also wheelchair access to toilet facilities, café and Audio Visual.
Admission to the Open Air Museum is free and there’s a large car park next to the entrance. Cycle racks are also available.
Parking charges:
- £2 for cars for up to 7 hours
- £4 for motorhomes/minibuses
- £9 for coaches
Plus, the payment machines accept cards and coins.
Planning your stay in the Highlands
If you’re travelling to the Highlands this July, why not come and visit us at Dunalastair Hotel Suites.
Our Boutique hotel offers 5-star comfort and luxury to guarantee a wonderful time in the Highlands in a beautiful, tranquil setting surrounded by nature.
Come and enjoy a warm welcome. We will ensure your stay in the Highlands is a wonderful experience.