Tarbat Discovery Centre

03/09/2026

📣 Our next talk will be on 17th September, where Kenneth McElroy from the Caithness Broch Project will explain their vision to build a broch in Caithness - the first in over 2,000 years.

🔨 The Caithness Broch Project is a grass roots charity with a mission to build a full-scale broch using original techniques, shedding light on how these amazing structures were built and the lives of Iron Age people in Caithness.

Kenneth, director and co-founder of the Caithness Broch Project and avid amateur archaeologist, will explain why this has taken so long and what the Project have been doing over the past few years.

🎟️ Tickets available here: https://buytickets.at/tarbatdiscoverycentre/2378061

📅 Thursday 17th September 2026
⏰ 7:30pm
📍 Tarbat Discovery Centre

01/09/2026

🖼 Throughout September we are displaying these fantastic artworks by members of the East Sutherland Art Society Society, inspired by their tour of the Centre in June.

It's great to see so much variety from each artist in their unique creations. Be sure to pop in and have a look!

29/08/2026

We are taking part in Doors Open Days on Saturday 12th September with free entry from 10am-4pm.

Come along for guided tours of the museum from our friendly volunteers, an art exhibition by the East Sutherland Arts Society, and a storytelling session with Lynn at 2pm.

📅 Saturday 12th September 2026
⏰ Storytelling 2pm
🎟️ Free entry 10am-4pm

25/08/2026

#️⃣CollectionHighlight

We are never short of wonderful and often mysterious items at the discovery centre, this week, we thought we’d highlight one of our favourites - the dragon stone!

While we can’t be exactly sure the reason the stone was carved, we know that dragons have appeared in stories, art and symbolism for centuries, associated with everything from power and protection to danger and the unknown. But what this creature meant to the people who carved it here at Tarbat? That remains part of the mystery…

What do you think it represented? Have you seen it in person yet? 🐉

VisitScotland Highland Celtic Art The Pictish Arts Society Highland Pictish Trail

20/08/2026

It’s always wonderful when people leave reviews, but there’s a common theme in them all, our wonderful volunteers! Our volunteers are what makes the centre, and it’s lovely when all of their hard work and passion is reflected in the testimonials we receive!

Thank you to our team, the centre wouldn’t be the same without you! 💙

18/08/2026

🌟 We have some fantastic new stock in our gift shop supplied by local businesses, including Gold Moss candles and bespoke designs by Highland Celtic Art.

📚 Our bookshelves have also been re-stocked with familiar favourites and a few new titles to explore.

Remember our shop is free to enter, so pop in during our opening hours to have a browse!

⏰Monday - Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 1pm-4pm.

12/08/2026

If you’ve ever been into Tarbat Discovery Centre, chances are you’ve met our Sam! 👋

From welcoming visitors to keeping everything running behind the scenes, Sam does a spectacular job keeping the centre moving - and she’s actually been around for a wee while, first popping her nose in when she was wee! (And yes, we still have the sand pit 🪏)

Now she’s the one keeping the place going!

Pop in, have a blether, and discover a little piece of Tarbat’s incredible history for yourself.

📍 Tarbat Discovery Centre, Portmahomack

10/08/2026

There’s plenty to discover at Tarbat Discovery Centre this August!

📖 Discover our Book of the Month and delve a little deeper into the fascinating world of the Picts.

🪦 Join Jim Mackay on Thursday 13th August at 7.30pm for Tombstones of Tarbat – Part 2, uncovering more of the stories carved into the stones around us.

⛪ Or simply pop in and see us - explore the museum, step into the crypt and discover more than a thousand years of history right here in Portmahomack.

Whether you’re a history buff, visiting the area or just fancy finding out what’s on your doorstep, we’d love to welcome you.

See you at Tarbat this August! 💙

10/08/2026

There will be a 2nd archaeological dig at the Hilton of Cadboll Site coming up next month, this follows on from the first dig which uncovered artefacts confirming the site as a Pictish settlement, dating back to around the 8th century — and possibly as far back as the 6th century!

This is a great opportunity for local people to get involved and experience archaeology first-hand. As with the previous dig, there are also plans to involve Hilton School pupils and the wider local community.

📍 A presentation by AOC Archaeology is also planned here at the Seaboard Centre, either just before or during the dig. Date to be confirmed, so keep an eye out for details.

👉 Interested in taking part in this dig? Please register using the link on the poster.

10/08/2026