Planning for the future to preserve the past

Glencoe Folk Museum has applied to Highland Council for planning permission to pursue its redevelopment project.

 

"attachment_774475" "" "300"] Rendering of the restored byre and new entrance/exhibition spaces. Courtesy of Peter Drummond Architects.

 

The plan is part of a £2million investment by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland and other bodies to upgrade the much-loved community asset and tourist attraction.

 

Founded by Barbara Fairweather, Rae Grant and friends in 1967, the museum houses an invaluable collection of artefacts and displays setting out the history of the community in Glencoe and Ballachulish.

 

The centrepieces are two listed early-19th century cottages, the only genuine surviving

 

buildings in the area with their original pattern wooden cruck-frame roofs and heather thatch and an important reminder of how our local communities used to live.

 

"attachment_774478" "" "300"] Preview of the museum’s new entrance. Courtesy of Peter Drummond Architects.

 

The project will sympathetically repair and enhance the cottages and byre. The current outdoor displays will be replaced with a new purpose-built reception and exhibition space, offering the museum its first toilet facilities and a transformation into a fully-accessible indoor attraction.

 

In keeping with local architectural styles the new building will be clad in Ballachulish slate and partially roofed in corrugated red tin. Solar panels and areas of green roof will help reduce the museum’s carbon footprint.

 

The project has been in the development stage since 2019 with extensive consultations among the community, local businesses, other museums and the local authorities.

 

Morag Watt, trustee of the museum, said: 'This is a transformative project for us - this massive investment will help us conserve our artefacts and keep the museum up-to-date with fresh local stories.

 

'We’ve developed our plans in consultation with the community. Being able to provide much-needed facilities for visitors, our volunteers and school visits is very important to us and will help ensure our sustainable future.'

 

Building work is anticipated to take place in 2023 with the upgraded museum reopening in 2024.

 

To learn more about Glencoe Folk Museum’s project visit glencoemuseum.com/redevelopment or contact David Rounce, project director, by emailing: redevelopment@glencoemuseum.com.