These are our favourite eight Scottish gems of museums

The Herald Scotland

7 hours ago

Church Street, Cromarty, 11am-4pm
In the town of Cromarty, on the Black Isle, history runs deep, in Hugh Miller's birthplace cottage the low roof and creaking floorboards create a sense of the weight of centuries passed. Tickets range from just £1 to £16 and provide access to both the Museum and the small, thatched cottage where Miller was born. Explore the interesting life of Hugh Miller and his varied career paths from folklorists to geologist while seeing fossils local to the north of Scotland and find out the story of mysterious ring See more at: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/hugh-millers-birthplace
The Scottish Witch Trial Museum, Leven
Mitchell Street, across from The Caledonian Hotel. Open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10am–4pm and weekends from 10:30am-4pm.
Britain's first museum to focus on the dark past of the Scottish witch trials has 17th and 18th century items, manuscripts and torture devices from the witch hunts. The museum focuses on 175 years of witch hunting with exhibits on Pittenweem, St Monans, Largo, North Berwick and Paisley. See https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Scottish-Witch-Trial-Museum-61564751710327/
The Leighton Library claims to be Scotland's first purpose-built private library (Image: free) The Leighton Library, Dunblane
The library stands at the cross, opposite the Dean's House and near Dunblane Cathedral. Open from the start of April to the start of October, from Monday to Saturday 11am-4pm
The creaking floorboards and impressive collection of original books lining the walls of the library make it feel as though, for a moment, you have stepped back in time. It has a small but impressive collection, with Captain Cook books and a first edition copy of Sir Walter Scott's The Lady of the Lake. The helpful volunteers are happy to share their knowledge. Scotland's first purpose built private library was founded to hold the collection of Minister Robert Leighton and provides a valuable insight into the tumultuous history of Scotland at the time of King Charles II. See more at: https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uk
St Fillan's Cave, Pittenweem
Cove Wynd, 10am-5pm everyday
Pittenweem embodies the cute coastal town vibe of the East Neuk of Fife and is home to the 1000-year-old St Fillian's Cave, getting its name from the 7th century Irish missionary St Fillian. To access the cave you can get the key from The Cocoa Tree Shop at £1 per person (plus a £10 deposit) which includes a descriptive leaflet. Once through the unassuming gate the cave stretches far back and has a stone altar, with modern day offerings from pennies to shortbread. In the still and peaceful atmosphere you can almost hear the lost prayers and murmurs of the past.
The police museum tells the dramatic story of the return of the Stone of Destiny to Scotland (Image: Isobel Scott) Glasgow Police Museum
First floor, 30 Bell Street, Glasgow. Monday-Saturday 10am-4.30pm and Sunday 12-4.30pm
Climb a flight of stairs and you will find the Glasgow police museum, small but packed full of history, with friendly staff. The independent museum provides a detailed history of Britain's first police force from 1779 to 1975. The museum displays this interesting history through artifacts, pictures, stories and cases with old uniforms, medals and weapons. It also has an impressive international room where it has uniforms and insignia from every police force in the world. See more at: https://www.policemuseum.org.uk
Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore
Aultlarie Croft, Kingussie Rd, Newtonmore, 10am-5pm
Just off the A9 you can step back in time to a Highland community through the ages and experience the lives of people through recreations of a school, homes, shops and more. Visitors are immersed in history from the smell of peat in the township cottages to dressed up actors. Unlike the others on our list, this is a huge 80-acre site and its beautiful setting allows for a walk through the pine forest to a highland township making it a great day out from history to nature. See https://www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum/
Abertaff is the oldest house in Inverness (Image: Isobel Scott) Abertaff house, Inverness
71 Church Street, Inverness, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm
The oldest house in Inverness gives a quick insight into the city in the 17th century. While much of the house is inaccessible, with two downstairs rooms open it is worth a visit if you are in the area, especially since admission is free. See https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/abertarff-house
Camera Obscura in Dumfries Museum, Dumfries
Rotchell Road, Dumfries, Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 2pm-5pm
The world's first camera obscura at the top of Dumfries museum's windmill tower was installed in 1836 and provides great views over Dumfries and surrounding countryside. One of Scotland's oldest museums it has a varied collection focusing on the land and people of the region, with artifacts dating back to pre-historic times. See more at: https://www.dgculture.co.uk/venue/dumfries-museum/