It is that time of year when we look back on the year just gone and reflect on all that happened, especially the work that goes on behind-the-scenes to make the exhibitions, events, displays and other services we provide possible, and share some of that with you here.
2025 was a special year for us as we celebrated our 200th anniversary, making IMAG one of the oldest museums in the country. Although parts of our history are well-documented, there were several gaps that needed investigation. With the help of colleagues, in particular Feargus Murray from our front-of-house team and Lorna Steele-McGinn at the Highland Archives Service, we managed to discover new details. The Northern Institute, our founding organisation, opened the original museum on Inglis Street in 1885 – the ‘Harris Tweed’ shop now stands on the site but the original building has gone. We made a list of all the donations that were recorded in the local press at the time, totalling hundreds of items, and were able to match some of these to items that still exist in the collection. One of the earliest is a chair dated 1648, which had been used in the old Gaelic Church in Inverness. It was wonderful to be able to reunite such a special object with part of its history. In October, Feargus delivered a fascinating talk on the history of the collections, in particular the colonial connections of many of the original donors, showing how integrated Inverness was within the British Empire. Also to mark the anniversary, IMAG was featured in the latest edition of Inverness Remembered vol. 21, with a short foreword and some photos from our recent past – copies are still available to buy from our gift shop.
Throughout the year we had a special focus on new acquisitions in our Foyer Gallery, showing a wide range of objects and donors, including the beautiful Kirk of Pettie Communion Cup donated by Culloden & Ardersier Church of Scotland. A new donation of Christmas Cards from the Oriel Cottage Collection featured in our family trail and the Christmas display in Mrs Rollo’s Kitchen. Some notable acquisitions, which haven’t been displayed yet, include a magnificent collection of quilts donated by textile artist Sheena Norquay and a set of bells by the Toll project, commemorating experiences of Covid-19 in the Highlands. Watch out for more news on these during 2026.
The art galleries played host to a splendid programme of visual arts and crafts throughout 2025, including two Scottish art legends – a solo show by Ken Currie and a retrospective of William Gillies. In April, Ash Rise featured a range of beautiful ash furniture by the Scottish Furniture Makers Association and proved a real hit with our audiences. Much planning and preparation went into our summer exhibition, Spoonful: A Celebration of the Humble Spoon which was supported by Museums Galleries Scotland and featured over 300 spoons, mostly from our own collection and the Highland Folk Museum’s alongside a fantastic community outreach programme. The year was rounded off with Come As You Really Are, a joyful exhibition of hobbies curated by Hetain Patel and commissioned by Artangel, London. This exhibition is running until 4 February, so there is still time to catch it and get inspiration for those New Year’s resolutions!
December saw our neighbour, the Inverness Castle Experience, open its front doors to the public for the first time. Some of the IMAG team were lucky enough to get a preview of the new attraction during the period of staff training, while collections staff were also on hand to help install some of the loans – visitors to the Castle should look out for a special fiddle and some Highland minerals on loan from IMAG as well as an early curling stone on loan from the Highland Folk Museum.
During 2025 we said goodbye to some long-standing members of staff – Brenda French from our front-of-house team and Cathy Shankland, who co-ordinated the visual arts programme for 40 years, took well-deserved retirement, while Andrea Finlayson, our former Visitor Services Officer, moved to another section of High Life Highland to manage the new facilities at the Northern Meeting Park and Bught Park. Of course this means we have welcomed new colleagues to the team and, with other vacancies now filled, we are looking forward to a full and busy year ahead of things to see and do! Sign up to our mailing list and follow us on social media to keep up-to-date.
Remember you can support us for the year ahead by making a donation; purchasing from our gift shop, coffee shop or craft exhibits; sharing our social media posts; or simply by visiting us in person during 2026. We look forward to welcoming you!
