This is an unusual museum, well sign posted throughout the town, it has expanded into the next door ‘Thomas Telford designed’ properties as it grew.
After paying to enter, I was offered a ‘guide’. Thinking this meant ‘did I want to buy a guide book’ I said yes; only to find out that I’d been offered a personal ‘human’ guide to the museum.
I’m not one for guided tours but I heard the following visitors’ commentaries, very much a conversation rather than a set script. Perhaps it would have been a good idea to accept.
I did, however, enjoy a short introduction to the museum before being left to find my way around the varying exhibits. The town and its harbour, employment, life at home and the terraced garden were displayed and explained as I followed the signs around the maze of corridors and rooms.
The ‘Johnston Collection’ of black and white photographs occupied a whole gallery. Over 100 years of portraits, scenes and events giving a real insight into life in Wick and the surrounding communities. The photographs are stunning (not a word I often use) and I could have spent a lot longer in this gallery. They’re still trying to identify people in the photographs so if your family hails from Wick, they’re asking us to “search the collection online”:http://www.johnstoncollection.net/ and see if we can name anyone.
Parking is available on the Bank Row but I’d be inclined to walk to the museum from the harbour, if fit enough (steep hill).
“Museum website”:https://wickheritage.org/
I’m not sure about access for people with reduced mobility although I think I saw a sign about a lift? I’d probably ask first. Tel.01955 605393
