Pictish Stone fragments on display at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (also known as IMAG) is a museum, art gallery, café and gift shop. It is also home to a photographic archive, and hosts a wide range of exhibitions and events. Services, such as loan boxes and workshops, are available to schools and communities across the Highlands, and to visitors from outside the region.
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery is managed by High Life Highland on behalf of The Highland Council. The museum collections, and the building that houses IMAG, are owned by The Highland Council.
The Museum
The museum has two large galleries which explore the fascinating history of the Highlands and its people.
On the ground floor, you can discover how the unique Highland landscape was formed; the Picts and their beautiful carved stones; the world-wide links of medieval Inverness; and the importance of Gaelic language and culture. On the first floor, the story continues with the Jacobites and Bonnie Prince Charlie; Highland music; stunning Inverness silver; and ends with the modern city of Inverness.
As you follow the timeline around the galleries, there are lots of things to do – piece together our Bronze Age pot, feel the weight of a bronze Iron Age armlet, play the medieval games of Merells and Hnefetafl, learn how to say some Gaelic words, or have a go at wrapping yourself up in a kilt in the traditional manner!
You can find out more about the history of the museum and what’s in the museum collections, as well as our loan boxes and our conservation services on the relevant pages.
The Art Gallery
Clive Brandon talks about his work at the opening of the ‘Trace Ingredients’ Exhibition
We have a vibrant Art Gallery, which consists of three display areas. The Gallery hosts a programme of temporary and touring exhibitions, featuring local, national and international art and contemporary craft. Exhibitions are often accompanied by a programme of events and activities.
You can find out more about the art galleries here and the current exhibitions in our what’s on page.
Highland Photographic Archive
The Highland Photographic Archive, held within the museum, is responsible for preserving and cataloguing negatives and photographs from all over the Highlands and making them accessible to all. The archive is now home to over 100,000 negatives and prints! These cover most areas of the Highlands but the majority are from Inverness and the surrounding area.
You can find out more about the photographic archives here.
What else is there to see or do at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery?
The Museum Gift Shop
There is a Community Gallery for local groups to display work that has been made during projects and workshops, both in association with IMAG and independently. Visit the What’s On page to find out what is currently on display.
There is a gift shop selling books, jewellery, crafts, toys and other beautiful gifts not normally found on the high street.
There is a café for you to relax in and enjoy lunch or light refreshments. Enjoy views of the High Street and the newly restored Town House from our picture window.
For more information about our facilities, and to help to you plan your visit, please read our Accessibility page.
If you want to keep up to date with what’s happening at IMAG, follow us on social media using the links below.
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