10 Museums in Caithness and Sutherland That You Shouldn't Miss

Lyth Arts Centre, deep in the Caithness countryside, is housed in a beautiful old building surrounded by trees and aged stone walls. From the outside it retains the character of a Victorian village school but the interior has been imaginatively converted to a dynamic multi-purpose arts centre. The programme of events includes live music, theatre, art exhibitions and other events. Office Hours are Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Exhibition Opening times are from 1st July - 31st Aug. 12pm - 5pm Every Day

A small but perfectly formed exhibition exploring the 3000 million years of geology of the far north west of Scotland. We also offer a wide range of geology tours tailored to all age ranges and prior knolwedge levels, led by geologist Bjorn Hardarsson. The tours range in duration from 2 to 5 hours and times are flexible to suit your availability. Drop in to the exhibition and book with Bjorn directly or give us a call on 0191 511 411.

Welcome to my jewellery and art studio in Thurso. My workbench is situated here and you can see me work on my creations Tuesday to Saturday. I graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with 1st class honours in jewellery and silversmithing. I offer beginner jewellery making workshops where you will learn real silversmithing techniques and at the end of the class take home your own piece of sterling silver jewellery that you have designed and made yourself. A perfect thing to do on a rainy day! Happy to take families (aged over 12, can be younger if an adult is present and they feel the child is capable) friends, couples or individuals looking to do something unique. My new premises in Brabster street is a wonderful place to visit, you will also be able to buy from a specially curated collection of local and scottish craft and ever changing artwork. My scratchboard artwork can be bought in a number of different products including prints, bags and mugs

VisitScotland 5 star rated Museum attraction. Our vision is to Keep the Dornoch Story Alive. We do this by preserving our local heritage and making it available for everyone to enjoy. The museum is open from 10.30am to 4pm five days a week (closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays unless pre-booked online at least 48 hours beforehand) until April 2021. We have a small admission fee for adults but discount for concessions and accompanied children are free. There is an option to book the Museum for an exclusive tour for your family group (up to 8 members) from 4pm each day. Tours start at £30 per group (see website for booking details).

Timespan is a cultural centre that contains a museum telling a story from the harbour to the hills. It has the only contemporary art gallery in the county which has six exhibitions a year which follow the organisations annual themes. The archive contains more than eleven thousand items donated by the local community and contains genealogy information of many of the local families. The River Cafe offers home baking and light lunches with some outdoor seating by the river enabling you to watch the wildlife close up. The gift shop has a wide variety from childrens' toys to local pottery.

Please note we are open seasonally from 1st April to 31st October. Strathnaver Museum is situated on the north coast of Scotland in the former Parish Church of St Columba in the picturesque village of Bettyhill. Its main theme is the tragic story of the Highland Clearances, it has a room dedicated to the Clan Mackay and also tells the story of crofting life. The ancient Pictish Farr Stone is situated nearby. The Museum contains a treasure trove of unusual objects and gripping stories all presented by a friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteer staff. Serving Mackay Country the Museum is also home to a wonderful collection of Mackay memorabilia belonging to the Clan Mackay Society, making it a must see for anyone of Mackay descent or interested in Clan Mackay. Located in the ancient province of Strathnaver, scene of some of the most brutal acts of the Highland Clearances, it is unsurprising that this is the main story told by the Museum. In fact it was from the very pulpit which dominates the centre of the Museum that the Rev. David Mackenzie was obliged to read out the eviction notices to his congregation. The building's association with the Highland Clearances did not end in 1819, as it was within the church that the Napier Commission heard evidence from the people of north Sutherland in 1883. The Napier Commission resulted in significant improvements to the lives of crofters and other small tenants.