MATHER & Co is working with Peter Drummond Architects to redevelop Glencoe Folk Museum in the Scottish Highlands.
Housed in traditional 18th century heather-thatched cottages, Glencoe Folk Museum was founded in 1967 by Miss Barbara Fairweather MBE, Mrs Rae Grant, and friends.
The museum tells the story of Glencoe and its people, boasting a collection of over 3,000 artefacts chronicling life and work in the area between the 17th and 21st centuries, including costumes, household items, and even a ‘coffin boat’ used to transport bodies to the local burial island as well as objects relating to the Jacobite rebellion and Glencoe Massacre of 1692.
The redevelopment has been made possible due to grant funding of £74,000 awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Scotland.
Museum curator Catriona Davidson said, “As soon as we spoke to Mather we knew they shared our vision for unlocking the museum’s full potential. We all love their approach of taking our unique charm and everything special about our museum and bringing it to life in new fun, accessible ways. We can’t wait to see the designs!”
Mather & Co explained that the redeveloped museum will allow visitors to experience the story of Glencoe using their senses, through discovery, experimentation, hidden reveals, exploration, and play.
Malissa Geersing, project designer at Mather & Co, said, “We are excited to get started on this truly inspiring project at Glencoe Folk Museum. The museum will tell the incredible stories of the Glen and its turbulent history, experiences, and daily lives of the local communities.
“We are looking forward to bringing together the voices of the communities and history and landscape of Glencoe and the surrounding area, offering surprises, unexpected twists and turns, and inspiring moments.”
The museum redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2023.
