This was championship belt was won by strong man Alexander Anthony Cameron (1877–1951). He was one of the all-time great strongmen and athletes from Dochanassie in Lochaber. He was sometimes known as the Mighty Mucomir and was the greatest heavy of his era. The belt is made from leather and rectangles of silver linked together and set with red, white and blue enamel discs. Inscribed "Won by A.A. Cameron, championship belt of the world". On the back is engraved “Drumblair 1903-1904-1905”.
This Ben Nevis race medal was won by Lucy Cameron. She won the women’s race in 1902 in the record time of 2 hours and 3 minutes. The first competitive Ben Nevis race was held in 1898. Up until the turn of the century women were banned from the race, but in 1902 Lucy Cameron of Glen Mallie made the attempt and achieved a time of 2 hours and 3 minutes. Just one year later the race was cancelled for the next 24 years. When races resumed women were not permitted to compete. In 1955 Kathleen Connochie, a local 16-year-old runner, entered the race. She was banned from competing, but after public outcry she was allowed to race, but only two minutes after the men’s race has started, and with a chaperone. Duncan MacIntyre, a previous race winner accompanied her.
This is one of the oldest medals in competitive shinty. Shinty, or camanachd as it is traditionally known in the Gaelic-speaking West Highlands, is an ancient game. Introduced to Scotland along with Christianity and the Gaelic language nearly two thousand years ago by Irish missionaries (St Columba is said to have arrived on these shores as a result of some shenanigans at an Irish hurling match). It is a team game played with 12 players per team and the use of a curved stick called a caman, the idea is to hit a small ball along the ground or through the air, using either side of the stick, until you score a goal in the net at the end of the field. This medal was awarded in 1897 to a Brae Lochaber player after the second ever Camanachd Cup Final. Brae Lochaber lost to Beauly 5-0 in Inverness. The photograph is the 1926 Spean Bridge (Lochaber) team.
This 18th century banner contains the Coat of Arms of MacDonald of Moidart. By tradition this is Clanranald’s Banner which was raised beside the Standard of Prince Charles Edward Stuart at Glenfinnan and was on the battlefield at Culloden. Although, its provenance has not been confirmed. Clan chief Donald MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart (born before 1705 – 1746) fought in the 1745 Rising and was executed at Carlisle in 1746. The banner was originally lodged in the church at Mingarrry in Moidart in the 1920s. It has been restored by the Scottish Conservation Studio and is on long term loan to the museum from the Diocese of Argyll & the Isles.
This an early modern shoulder-belt plate that was found in 2015 by metal detectorists in the deserted township of Alisary. It is very rare because it is engraved "Moidart Volunteers" and little evidence remains of their existence. By 1800 Inverness-Shire had raised 42 companies of infantry soldiers for the Napoleonic Wars whose contract meant they could only serve as part of a home defence force. One of those companies was the Moidart Volunteers. Their commanding officer was noted in 1797 as one Captain Alexander MacDonald who was probably a local landowner. It seems that the Moidart Company were incorporated into a battalion of Inverness-Shire Volunteers. The shoulder belt plate was worn to carry the sword and bayonet in the British Army from 1780s onwards. Two rivets and clip on the reverse attached the plate to the belt. The plate insignia would have been positioned in the chest area.
The iconic Lochaber axe has been included in the gallery because it is still an important symbol of the area today, even appearing on the West Highland Museum’s logo. The Lochaber axe is a long-handled battle-axe used by the Highland foot soldier. The design is a form of halberd. The first record of its use is around 1570 when Clan Cameron carried it during the Battle of Bun Garbhain between Clan Cameron and Clan Mackintosh. This pair of Lochaber axes originate from Taymouth Castle and were made for the visit of Queen Victoria to the castle in 1842. The Queen stayed at Taymouth for three days where she was treated to a lavish display of Highland culture.
Charms were an integral part of Highland culture for centuries. There are a good variety of charms in the museum, covering everything from preventing nightmares, encouraging rain, and warding away evil spirits. Many were collected by the Victorian folklorist Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912). Two charms have been selected for the gallery. The first is the charm of deliverance, a small round tan coloured nut, sea bean, or piece of polished wood that has been bound with metal bands. It is labelled "The Virgin's Charm of Deliverance" and was a charm a midwife placed in the hand of women in childbirth. The other charm stone is known as a witches' stone. It was deposited on the pivot stone of a gate and prevented witches from entering the croft or house.
Image of Charm stones - Charm of deliverance
Image of Charm stones - Charm of deliverance (tag)
This spinning wheel used for spinning thread or yarn from fibres was made in the French pattern, and was gifted to the West Highland Museum along with spindles, whorls, and a bobbin. The objects are exceptional because of they are said to have once belonged to Flora MacDonald (1722 – 1790), the heroine of the 1745 Rising and came from her home, Kingsburgh House, on Skye. This was the family home of Allan Macdonald, who married Flora Macdonald in 1750. After a brief emigration to America, the family returned to Kingsburgh House and Flora died there in March 1790. These are among the earliest objects to come into the museum’s collection in 1927.
Image of Flora MacDonald's Spinning wheel
Image of Governor’s room (include key 787, wine table L760 specs in wall L420)
Image of John Brown’s highland dress
Image of Jas whisky bottle & measures
This fine taxidermy specimen of a golden eagle came to the museum in 1940. There is no record as to when it was prepared, but our records show that the eagle was captured in a trap in Glencoe. By today’s standards this specimen was obtained unethically and the form of preservation seems old fashioned. However, the art of taxidermy is still practised today and according to the Natural History Museum “taxidermy is still bringing nature to life”.
This leather-bound stalker’s telescope has been selected because of its association with the Highlands. It is a typical example of equipment ghillies would use when deer stalking in the hills around the area. This telescope is particularly special as it was presented to Duncan McColl, head gamekeeper on the Mamore estate by King Edward VII in September 1909.