The Highland Folk Museum was established in 1935. It was Britain's first open air museum and is called Am Fasgadh, which means The Shelter. The museum offers the visitor a glimpse of lifestyle now past.
The Museum Store displays in excess of 1,500 objects. The unique collection includes everyday domestic objects and antique furniture. Amongst the major exhibits to be enjoyed is a reconstructed Black House.
A black house is a traditional type of house which used to be common in Highland Scotland. It was usually built with double wall dry-stane walls packed with earth. Wooden rafters were covered with a turf roof, though
occasionally reed thatch was used as the roofing material.
The floor was usually packed earth or flagstones and there was a central hearth for the fire. The smoke escaped through the roof, as there was no chimney.
People and livestock lived in the same black house. There was a partition which allowed the people to stay on one side of the house, and the livestock on the other.
The Highland Folk museum holds several enactments, where you may watch and learn about some of the craft work and skills used by the Highlanders during their lifetime.
The sights to see and enjoy include a working 1930’s farm with livestock, a church, school, sawmill, joiner’s shop, post office and a shepherd’s bothy. There is a café, shop and children’s play area available for visitors.
