Highland Museums Forum Survey On Independent Museums

22nd January 2013

HMF’s latest visitor survey demonstrates the value of Highland Independent Museums.

Nineteen members of the Highland Museums Forum receive each around £12,000 per annum through a Service Delivery Agreement with the Highland Council. This facilitates delivery of a range of high-quality and professional museum services throughout the length and breadth of the Highlands, serving communities and tourists alike.

The Highland Council’s core funding to the independent museums is greatly valued. As well as allowing the delivery of a high-level museums service across the Highlands, it allows each independent museum to remain embedded in its community and continue its Lifelong Learning work with schools, families, and older people. Each is in community ownership offering many volunteering opportunities. As well as being a principal tourist destination, each shares its historical collections with the public in a multitude of ways, including exhibitions, heritage and social events.

The independent museums in the Highlands are highly-developed not-for-profit organisations with a high-level of voluntary input and commercial effort. Despite this, core funding from The Highland Council is necessary to go some way towards meeting each museum’s ever-increasing fixed costs such as heating and lighting.

Web site - www.museumsinthehighlands.com