Remote Strathnaver Church wins funds to renovate Clearances museum

Then later, in 1883, tenants and crofters from across north Sutherland met within the church to give evidence to the Napier Commission: Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Condition of Crofters and Cottars in the Highlands and Islands.

The Napier Commission eventually led to providing security of tenure to crofters across the crofting counties.

Now the church’s present day role is as a museum with its main story being that of the Clearances, informing the public about the despicable treatment of tenants by landlords who used the land for ‘more profitable’ flocks of sheep.

Pulpit from where eviction notices were read

It also tells of the emergence of the Clan Mackay and of agricultural life in the region.

Strathnaver Museum, situated in Bettyhill in Caithness, has been successful in the latest round of grant awards announced by the Architectural Heritage Fund. The museum has secured £7,000 from the AHF’s Project Development Grant Scheme which will help to fund a Project Coordinator to develop the Strathnaver Museum Refurbishment Project.

The Architectural Heritage Fund made 13 new grant offers worth £78,400 to support historic building regeneration projects across the length of Britain.

The grants allow organisations to consider the viability of their project or support development costs in order to help secure funding from other sources.

Built in 1774 the former parish church is a category B listed building which signifies its regional importance.

In 1882 internal alterations saw the removal of a gallery and the insertion of some party walls.

Today you can still see this evolution in the building as a faint line runs around the main room and the rough construction of the party walls is clearly seen.

For many years the museum’s hardworking volunteers have been working to raise money to fund improvements to the building that would include some much need repairs and improvements to the facilities for visitors and staff.

READ MORE: The Highland Clearances

The Museum Trust aims to create an inviting, comfortable space for people to visit which would include improved interpretation, a larger reception area and easier access to their collection and research materials in the form of a dedicated research room.

Tommy Mackay, Strathnaver Museum Trust chairman, said “We are delighted to have been awarded funding by the Architectural Heritage Fund towards developing our vital refurbishment project.

“It will allow us to turn our vision for the future of the Strathnaver Museum into reality and help us to secure further funding from a range of partners.”

Gordon Barr, AHF support officer for Scotland, said “We’re delighted to be able to support Strathnaver Museum in its project to provide a better experience for its visitors and volunteers, making the collections more accessible and the whole museum sustainable for the long term”.

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