SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN HERITAGE COLLECTION – is Open now in Glen Roy – Roy bridge. From 1st – 16 Oct 2016.

Mick Tighe

A Highland mountain guide and former rescuer has revealed plans to open a museum dedicated to his love of the hills.

Michael Tighe, who was a member of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team for nearly 30 years, has gathered together what is believed to be the largest collection of mountain artefacts, equipment, literature, photographs and other mountain memorabilia in the UK.

The 66-year-old recently donated them to a newly formed charity, the Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection, of which he is a trustee.

The First Ascent Ian Clough on Hoy Photo H. MacInness.

The collection, depicting much of the rich history of mountaineering in Scotland and around the world, has been catalogued and photographed and can be viewed in the trust’s virtual museum at http://www.smhc.co.uk

Joss and some of the gear use in 1951

You may be aware that the Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection is a charitable trust dedicated to the collection of mountaineering and miscellaneous outdoor gear. It is housed principally in the barn and other outbuildings at Bohuntin, in Glen Roy, just north of Fort William. The collection comprises of over two-thousand items of mountaineering memorabilia from Scotland and around the world constituting what we believe to be the only mountaineering museum in the United Kingdom, though unfortunately, not yet on permanent display. There are lots of fascinating Scottish items including Tom Weir’s bonnet, camera and ice-axe, Tom Patey’s surgery desk and piton hammer, Harold Raeburn’s altimeter, the full range of Hamish McInnes’s legendary ice-axes and hammers plus a unique selection of ‘home-made’ items created in the living rooms, garden sheds and shipyards of Scotland.

From further afield we have Everest oxygen sets, Antarctic Anoraks, Whillan’s Whammers and loads of Alpine axes. Our ski collection is also probably the best in the UK, over one-hundred pairs of wooden skis, with some dating way back to the 1890s, all stored and displayed in our custom built ski hut. To compliment all this we have a wonderful selection of vintage clothing coupled with a unique archive of photographic material from around Scotland and the UK which gives a story to the tale. The collection is not generally open to the public, but is viewable on-line at http://www.smhc.co.uk. However, we were recently asked to participate in the Highland Archaeology Festival 2016 which takes place in early October.

Scott – photo The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection.

As a result we have agreed to open our ‘Collection’ to the general public here at: 7 BOHUNTIN, GLEN ROY for the period SATURDAY OCTOBER 1ST to SUNDAY OCTOBER 16TH (inclusive) on a daily basis from 10am to 4pm Anyone interested in the great outdoors is welcome to attend, entry is free (though donations would be most welcome!).

Space and parking is somewhat limited so whilst school groups and larger parties will be happily received please give us a call in advance to discuss arrangements – 01397 712356.

 

We look forward to seeing you in October. Mick Tighe Chairman SMHC