Nairn Museum

31/08/2026

Photograph of children at a water pump on Marine Road circa 1890. A lass gathers water as a lad stands nearby with a heuk/sickle and a handwoven wicker basket at his feet, indicating that they are both doing some kind of domestic or outdoor labour.
Most of the children wear hats, however they are almost all barefoot. Some of the bairns look directly at the photographer, as a camera out on the streets would've been a very unusual thing in 1890s Nairn!

What details do you notice in this photograph?
What do you think we can learn from it?

Visit Nairn Museum today to understand more about childhoods past!

31/08/2026

Here's a wonderful imaged of children using a water pump at Marine Road circa 1890s a lassie collecting water, while a lad is holding a heuk/sickle. The black and white original is in the comments.

❓How do you feel about museums using AI to make a black and white photograph into a coloured image?
At Nairn Museum, we avoid using AI in official museum interpretation however we've been experimenting in how we use it in other parts of museum work.

AI can offer fun ways of engaging with historic collections, but it also raises important ethical questions. We know this type of image is unlikely to be coloured in a way that's historically accurate. Does this change how we understand the original?

When, if ever, is it appropriate for museums to use AI to alter or enhance historic material? What responsibilities do we have around authenticity and transparency when it comes to showing local heritage? What about the environmental cost of using AI in this way, at a time when we are all conscious of consumption?

📸Let us know your thoughts!

28/08/2026

What can a photograph reveal about a place you thought you knew? 📷

For the past seven years, artist and photographer Fergus Heron has been exploring the watercourses and woodlands around Nairn, capturing the landscape through long-term observation and a deep curiosity about place.

Join Fergus as he shares the inspiration behind his work - from a 1904 painting in Nairn Museum to the writing of Nan Shepherd - and discover how he uses an analogue field camera, available light and colour darkroom printing to create his photographs.

Come and see Nairn through a different lens.

🎟 Sunday 30th August, 2PM @ Nairn Museum
https://www.ticketsource.com/nairn-book-and-arts-festival/fergus-heron-photography-ecology-and-place/e-ljrpma

28/08/2026

We're thrilled that this weekend, Sunday 30th Aug at 2pm, artist and photographer Fergus Heron will be doing a talk on his creative inspiration and processes at Nairn Museum. As his work focuses on the watercourses and woodlands of Nairnshire, it'll be a treat for anyone interested in thinking about the meeting points of art and environment. Part of Nairn Book and Arts Festival VisitNairn

For the last seven years, artist and photographer Fergus Heron has concentrated his camera on the watercourses and woodlands nearNairn. In this talk, Fergus shares his inspiration for the project, including W. Reid's painting River Nairn Looking Inland (1904) in the Nairn Museum collection, and the....

25/08/2026

☎️ A few of Nairn Museums volunteers have fond memories of these red telephone boxes when they were teenagers! We dare not ask any more questions.

However if you have any lovely memories of Nairn, such as your favourite scenic spots, or stories of the towns heritage then please pop into the museum and post them in our heritage trail postbox or record them on the telephone.

📸These photos were taken by Nairn stalwart John Lawson, whose books we still sell in the museum gift shop! Museum volunteers are having an amazing time going through them as we prepare to accession them (and experimented with a coloured version too!) Many thanks to the Lawson family for bringing these pictures to the museum. 💖

24/08/2026

🎉Nairn, we need you and your stories!

Did you know that our friends at VisitNairn have commissioned a wonderful heritage trail?

📝Currently at the museum, you can write a card or record a memory on our telephone: and all of these will feed into the design of a new heritage trail! We’re so excited but it won’t be the same unless you take part.

☎️Perhaps you have a fond memory of Fishertown, or know local hero that deserves more acclaim? Maybe you know hidden histories, unexpected folklore, or you just want to ensure your favourite landmark gets a mention?

😊Please come to Nairn Museum and let us know what you want in the heritage trail!

19/08/2026

🎨 Young folk having a lovely time playing in the old classroom at Nairn Museum, it’s almost always lovely to see what they have left on the blackboard.
🍎Come along to Nairn Museum for family fun, whether you want to play teacher or just express your appreciation of a beautiful bat named Betty! 🦇

15/08/2026

🪵Nairn Museum is closed today so we can toss all our support behind Nairn Highland Games!

🎉Wishing everyone a wonderful time today and we hope you enjoy the area on one of the funnest days of the year!
Thanks to everyone involved in making the Games special: performers, competitors, volunteers, visitors and the local community.
Slàinte mhath💖

14/08/2026

🎉Please visit Nairn Museum TODAY 14th August 2026 as we’re closed tomorrow to celebrate Nairn Highland Games on 15th August 2026.

🥁We thank the Games Committee and all volunteers for working so hard to make such a marvellous event for the town. The Games are brilliant for keeping traditional Highland culture and sports alive, and are a highlight of the summer. Good luck to all involved, competitors, and a big Highland welcome to all visitors and those returning home: ceud mìle fàilte!🥃

We enjoy the font used on the 1996 programme, what a nostalgic vibe.

We’ll be back to normal opening hours next week 🕶️

04/08/2026

🧈Butter believe it, this is no ordinary escape story!
Legend tells us that notorious Highland outlaw James Grant of Carron made a daring escape from Edinburgh Castle: using ropes smuggled to him in casks of butter by his wife.

🥛Our local Hugh Rose of Kilravock (12th Baron) was asked by the Privy Council of Scotland to help restore peace in the area, as the Grants were in the midst of a clan feud.

Discover the full, udderly fascinating tale in our Kilravock Stories Exhibition, on display at Nairn Museum until 25 September 2026.

Come along and churn up some Highland history as you explore the stories of Clan Rose, Kilravock Castle and the people who shaped the area.🐄