Inverness Museum and Art Gallery is one of two museums I’ve visited in Inverness. It is a small but lovely museum. I picked some highlights to show, things that I found interesting.
This wolf stone was carved around 1600 years ago. It was found in 1903 built into an old wall. It is amazing how accurate it looks and how well it was preserved. It is a Pictish stone.
These are some of the Pictish stones on display at the Inverness Museum. I was quite curious about the Picts and I will share pictures from a museum dedicated to them, only 30 minutes away from Inverness.
This root shows evidence of Bronze Age forest clearance. We think of deforestation for agriculture and farming as something we are doing today, but it is a very old practice. The axe is what would they use to cut the trees down.
This is a Bullet mould, for Muskets. I had no idea how the bullets were made, never thought about this, and it was interesting to see this mould.
How powerful is this message in the Diorama. Since I was a child I’ve seen lots of Dioramas with stuffed animals and birds, but now there is a deeper message, as curators add these items that now make part of the natural life: our garbage, soda cans and bullet shells, fishing ropes and bits of plastics. I like seeing this more and more, because it raises awareness.
These are Quaichs, something specific to the Highlands. It is a “cup of welcome”, usually whisky. Early models were wooden and were used as wedding presents as well. As a wedding present, the couple’s initials were engraved on a button, set in the base.
The last items I’m going to talk about are this coat and waistcoat, that might have belonged to Prince Charles Edward Stuart. The style is called habit à la française and it was popular in the 18th century. While there isn’t evidence that it belonged to Bonnie Prince Charlie, it might have.
The Inverness Museum and Art Gallery is free to visit and it is close to the city centre, just beside the Inverness castle. It is a must see if you are visiting Inverness.
Lovely little museum with some historical gems. The wolf stone is stunning, such a fabulous modern-looking design.
Bonnie Prince Charlie’s coat is a wonder too.
The Pictish art is so intriguing! It’s so beautifully preserved, it’s amazing. I’d love to know more!
Julia x
This looks like a very interesting museum and I’m especially drawn to those carved stones. (and the people who carved them)
What a diverse collection of the fascinating and beautiful! I’d like this one!
Museums with life history like this intrigue me the most. It is fascinating to imagine living in other times.