West Highland Museum

The West Highland Museum is an independent museum in Fort William presenting eight exhibition rooms across three floors filled with artifacts from Scottish Highland and Island history. The rooms display a wide range of objects that document the life, events, and cultures of this region.

The museum was founded in 1922 by Victor Hodgson and began with exhibits in the Public Reading Room before moving to its current location in Cameron Square. This growth shows how the institution evolved from a small local effort into an established cultural venue.

The collections include Jacobite artifacts and traditional Highland bagpipes that connect visitors to Scotland's royal history and regional musical traditions. You can see personal items from significant historical figures that reflect how people in the Highlands lived and expressed their identity.

The museum is open on several days each week with hours that vary by season, offering longer opening times in warmer months and shorter hours in autumn and winter. It is useful to check current opening times beforehand since these can change depending on the time of year.

In the Governor's Room, visitors can see a historical birching table that was used by the Fort William town council until 1948. This object is a rare example of local judicial practices that are difficult to understand by today's standards.