The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Founder is ready to hand over the reins
After more than three decades John Cameron is calling time on his role
One of Scotland’s most popular “wee museums”, Perthshire’s Atholl Country Life folklore museum is appealing for a helping hand.
After 35 successful years delighting visitors from around the world with its quirky displays, the search is on for someone to run the Blair Atholl museum as the founder John Cameron is retiring.
He started the enterprise with various items he had collected and it grew from there but he would now like to hand over the reins.
“The time is right for me to retire, I’m 78,” he said.
Situated in the Old School, Blair Atholl, it has a large collection of photographs complemented by a collection of local artefacts and stories, many donated by the community and from further afield.
Unique exhibits include the only stuffed Highland cow in Scotland, the 8ft high Caledonian Shield for Scottish rifle shooting and a letter from Canada in 1906, clearly written on birch bark by local emigrant D. McBeath to his relations in Killiecrankie.
A horse harness by local saddler and
The time is right for me to retire, I’m 78. JOHN CAMERON
shoemaker John Seaton, a wellpopulated wildlife corner, a railway display, Donald McBeath’s story and the reconstruction of Trinafour Post Office, are among other favourites with visitors.
The museum has been run as a charity on a voluntary basis since 2004 with 10 trustees, a group of volunteers and advice from a qualified mentor.
“This is a worthwhile, rewarding, voluntary position for someone interested in people and who can entertain and educate them in the museum on how life was lived in this Highland village and the surrounding glens,” said a spokesperson for the trustees.
A job description and application form are available from Meredith Farron meredith@bploffice.co.uk or for information contact the founder on 01796 481232. rburdge@thecourier.co.uk