Museum of the Isles

Taigh-tasgaidh

Museum

Witness the clan’s changing fortunes, from mighty Lords of the Isles, through the tumult of Jacobite risings, to the hardship of clearance and emigration

Explore the history of the Highlands and Islands through the story of Clan Donald, Scotland’s largest clan and a major force in Highland history

Spanning 1,500 years of Highland history, from the time of the Picts to the rise of Clan Donald and the Jacobite era, the Museum of the Isles traces the clan’s story alongside the wider experiences of people living in the Highlands.

Each gallery is home to part of this story, you’ll find incredible artefacts from Viking boat timbers, broadswords and dirks to the everyday objects used by Skye’s crofters.  Most visitors spend between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours in the Museum.

Young visitors will enjoy exploring the Museum with our children’s trails, designed for different abilities and ages from pre-school upwards. There’s also an activity area with books, toys and dressing up.

Our Story

Tailored for you

The Museum of the Isles

Begin the exhibition exploring the history of the Lordship of the Isles, the impressive dynasty established by Somerled, the founder or progenitor of the Clan Donald. Continue the story through the tumultuous Jacobite period and the changing role of the Clan Chief in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Explore our crofting and emigration galleries to discover life and traditions in Skye and the Highlands. Learn about the hardships that led many to leave their homes and build new lives around the world.

The Collections

The Museum of the Isles is home to the collections owned and cared for by the Clan Donald Lands Trust. The Clan Donald Lands Trust is a Scottish Registered Charity, Number SC007862.

From stone carvings and portraits to a Jacobite targe, cannon balls, pistols, broadswords and bagpipes, the collection offers a rich variety of objects to explore.

We have worked with the Museum’s team to give a taster of our favourites here.

Welcoming Everyone

To help you make the most of your time at the Museum, there are lots of ways to connect with the exhibition. Audio Guides are available in: English, Gaelic, German, French, Spanish, Italian and English for the Visually Impaired and are included with your ticket.

Families love our children’s area with books, colouring, toys and dressing up outfits.

Relax and immerse yourself in the Museum’s story in the cinema room.

The Museum Giftshop

Our museum shop is full of heritage-inspired finds, from authentic tartan accessories to thoughtful gifts that carry the spirit of the Highlands.

You’ll find a range of items featuring the Clan Donald crest, including keepsakes, homeware, and jewellery. We also stock a beautiful selection of blankets, scarves, shawls, and jackets in the modern Clan Donald tartan, made using traditional Scottish wool and woven right here in Scotland.

Getting in Touch

General information for visitors to Armadale is available [here]. For enquiries about the Collection you can contact the Clan Donald Lands Trust at museum@clandonald.com

CDLT’s Library and Archive hold records of the historic Macdonald Estate on Skye and vast reference collection on Highland and Clan Donald’s history. For archive and genealogical enquiries contact the team at library@clandonald.com