Highland Independent Museums Gather in Inverness

One of the largest gatherings in recent times of volunteers, board members and curators of Highland Independent Museums was recently held in Inverness (Wednesday 2nd September).

The day was organised by The Highland Council’s Independent Museums Support Officer with the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service. During the day 18 Highland Independent Museums supported by Highland Council had the opportunity to review their achievements over the last year. There were also sessions from Am Baile, The Highland Council’s History and Culture website, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and Museums Galleries Scotland.

Those at the meeting heard that over the last year, Highland Independent Museums have clocked up an impressive range of facts and figures including:

• 100, 000 visitors in person to Highland Independent Museums.
• 370,000 users which includes web research hits, outreach and educational visits.  Figures are up 39% from last year reflecting the major increase in research material which has been posted on museums’ websites.
• 330 volunteers are involved in running Highland independent museums.
• 130 board members govern Highland independent museums.
• 34 staff are employed directly by Highland independent museums.
• 17 museums have achieved a 3 Star VisitScotland grading or above with 7 gaining 4 Stars and Historylinks in Dornoch achieving 5 Stars.
• 6 museums are Accredited, others are in the process of applying and all aim to gain this National quality standard by the end of 2010.
• Over £750, 000 of external funding has been secured including:
o Groam House Museum, Collecting Cultures Fund (Heritage Lottery Fund) £99,000
o Tain Through Time, Collecting Cultures Fund (Heritage Lottery Fund) £98,000
o Highland Museum of Childhood £400,000 (major funder Heritage Lottery Fund)

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee said: “Together, Highland independent museums provide a diverse yet high quality service, working hard and accomplishing ever increasing standards to benefit the local community, schools, tourist visitors as well as supporting the local economy.”