Cash backing for museums project

A PROJECT to help secure the future of museums throughout the Highlands has received £ 50,000.

‘Our Collective Future’, being led by The Highland Museums Forum, received £ 54,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

It is hoped the 18-month project will help 19 independent museums which have suffered from drastic funding cuts by Highland Council.

The money will help pay for a range of training opportunities for museum staff and volunteers. Museums will work together, sharing skills and knowledge and creating even better experiences for visitors and more opportunities for local people to become involved.

Mallaig Museum, West Highland Museum (Fort William) Glenfinnan Station Museum and Glencoe Museum are involved in the partnership and will benefit from an individual business review and fundraising advice.

Hege Hernes from Glenfinnan Station Museum told the Lochaber Times: ‘I see the project as a coming together to find ways of coping with a new and adverse financial situation for the independent museums in the Highlands. Without funding from the council many will be unable to provide job security for staff which, in turn, may have devastating consequences for the way we look after our heritage in this part of the world.

‘The forum will now be able to commission a business consultant who will scrutinise each museum’s operation and identify potential savings as well as potential revenue sources.’

The project, which has also received money from Museums Galleries Scotland, is due to finish in October 2018.

Commenting on the award, Alison Boyle, chairwoman of Highland Museums Forum, said: ‘ We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are confident the project will secure an exciting and resilient future for independent museums in the Highlands.’