Two of the region’s most significant museums – the Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore and Inverness Museum & Art Gallery – are coming together this autumn to celebrate their collections, inspire new research and honour the legacy of a much-missed colleague through a major conference in Inverness.
The Anniversary Collections Conference, organised by the High Life Highland museums team, is taking place on Friday 13 November 2026 at Inverness Town House. It brings together leading historians and researchers to explore how museum collections continue to shape our understanding of the past while informing the future.
Celebrating two milestones
The event marks two important milestones: 90 years since Isabel F. Grant founded the Highland Folk Museum and 201 years since the collections of Inverness Museum & Art Gallery were established by the Northern Institution for the Promotion of Science and Literature.
Helen Pickles, curator of collections at the Highland Folk Museum, said: “We have had tremendous support for our programme of events and activities at the Highland Folk Museum this season and the conference will make a great finale to our anniversary year.”
Supported by funding from Museums Galleries Scotland’s Small Grants Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, managed by the Museums Association, the conference will shine a spotlight on the extraordinary stories hidden within museum collections and the new research they continue to inspire.
In memory of Lorna Cruickshank
The conference will also be held in memory of Lorna Cruickshank, our Curatorial Manager, who passed away earlier this year. Her passion, expertise and commitment to the heritage sector spanned over three decades.
Securing support and funding for the conference was one of the last projects she brought to fruition, making the occasion a fitting tribute.
Meet the speakers
Hosted by well-known historian and heritage consultant Andrew Grant McKenzie, the day will feature a series of talks from respected experts whose work demonstrates the enduring value of collections in understanding Scotland’s cultural heritage.
Among the speakers is Inverness author Jennifer Morag Henderson, who will explore the fascinating stories of two influential collectors, gin heiress Emilie May Bowerbank and Hindu prince Frederick Duleep Singh, whose bequests helped establish the renowned Jacobite collection at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery.
Researcher Rhona Ramsay, who specialises in the material culture of Scotland’s Gypsy/Traveller communities, will discuss the importance of preserving and interpreting collections in ways that amplify community voices and experiences.
Historian and antiques specialist Lyndsay McGill will delve into the history of Inverness silver, revealing how local craftsmanship and design reflected wider Scottish traditions and influences.
Meanwhile, Nysa Loudon, a PhD researcher from the University of Glasgow, will share insights from her work on historic textiles and basketry. Drawing on examples from Highland Folk Museum collections, her research explores how traditional materials and techniques can help us better understand the past while offering lessons for environmental sustainability today.
As life becomes more virtual, the role of museums in looking after our shared material culture becomes more vital.
Curator of collections, Inverness Museum & Art Gallery
The next generation of museum professionals
The programme will also showcase the next generation of museum professionals. Members of our museums’ Young Curators Group will present their involvement in the Going Places project, a collaborative initiative with museums in Carmarthen and Lisburn that will culminate in a co-curated exhibition in 2027.
Discover both collections
Throughout the day, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the rich and diverse collections cared for by both the Highland Folk Museum and Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. Curators Helen Pickles and Kari Moodie will introduce the histories and significance of their respective collections.
Kari Moodie, curator of collections at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, said: “As life becomes more virtual, the role of museums in looking after our shared material culture becomes more vital. Our speakers will reflect on the research they have undertaken through the handling, examination and analysis of real artefacts and archives. This conference gives us a wonderful opportunity to share what they have learned and how their findings will inspire and inform our future collecting.”
Evening reception
Following the conference, guests are invited to an evening reception at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
You’ll be able to explore the exhibition Beyond the Bedspread: Quilts by Sheena Norquay, alongside a special display featuring objects from both museum collections connected to the themes explored by the conference speakers.
Tickets and booking
The conference begins at 10am, with registration from 9.30am, at Inverness Town House. Ticket prices include booking fee:
- In-person ticket: £30.94
- Reduced rate for students and those on low incomes: £15.74
- Digital access ticket: £11.25
In-person tickets include refreshments on arrival, a buffet lunch and admission to the evening reception.
The digital access ticket is for those unable to attend in person. It provides links to recordings of the talks, issued after the conference.
