Did you know
Since 1976.
The church became a museum in 1976, and the Highland Clearances are its main theme.
Sutherland
Strathnaver Museum
The story of the Highland Clearances, told in Bettyhill's white former parish church, with a Clan Mackay room upstairs and a carved Pictish stone in the graveyard.
Welcome
On a green slope above Farr Bay stands a plain white church, built in 1774 to hold 750 people.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
That so many once worshipped here tells its own story, because within fifty years Strathnaver, the valley behind it, had been emptied. Some 15,000 people were cleared from the estate to make way for sheep.
Since 1976 the church has been the Strathnaver Museum, and the Clearances are its heart, with the story of crofting life as it once was. There are modern displays on different levels, an annex with more exhibitions, and a small shop. Upstairs a room is given over to the Clan Mackay, whose country this was.
Do not leave without walking round the graveyard. By the west gable stands the Farr Stone, a Pictish cross-slab carved more than a thousand years ago, where the most recent chief of the Mackays was inaugurated.
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Before you go
Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and closed on Sundays; check the museum's own site before a winter visit.
- Where
- Bettyhill, by Farr Bay.
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
- Outside
- The Farr Stone, a carved Pictish cross-slab.
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Add your reviewDid you know
Did you know
A chief's stone.
The most recent chief of the Clan Mackay was inaugurated at the Farr Stone in the graveyard.
Hidden Scotland
From our guide to Sutherland
On a green slope above Farr Bay stands a plain white church, built in 1774 to hold 750 people. Within fifty years, the long valley of Strathnaver behind it had been emptied for sheep. Since 1976 the church has been the Strathnaver Museum, and the Clearances are at its heart, told alongside the story of crofting life. Upstairs, a room is given over to the Clan Mackay, whose country this was. Before you leave, walk round to the west gable to see the Farr Stone, a Pictish cross-slab carved more than a thousand years ago.
Read moreWhat is on
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New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on in SutherlandWhere it is
In the old Farr church at the east end of Bettyhill, above Farr Bay, off the A836.
Close byBettyhill.
The Store Bistro & BarUnder a mile 2 min by road
BettyhillThe village built for the cleared families.Under a mile 2 min by road
Bettyhill Tourist Information & CafeUnder a mile 2 min by road
Farr BeachThe sandy bay below the museum.2 miles 4 min by road
Torrisdale BeachThe wide sands across the Naver.9 miles 15 min by road
Torrisdale BayTorrisdale Bay is close to Bettyhill, and worth the trip on a good day.9 miles 16 min by road
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the museum, and when each is next free.
Lundies House- To stay
- In Tongue
- 8 miles from Strathnaver Museum
Kyle House- Sleeps 2
- In Tongue
- 12 miles from Strathnaver Museum
Keeper's Cottage- Sleeps 6
- In Hope
- 15 miles from Strathnaver Museum
Ferryman's Cottage- Sleeps 4
- In Hope
- 15 miles from Strathnaver Museum
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Read on
What we have written about it and more in Sutherland.
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Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
- Strathnaver MuseumThe museum's own site.strathnavermuseum.org.ukOfficial↗
- Strathnaver MuseumThe Mackay room and the Farr Stone.clanmackaysociety.co.ukClan Mackay Society↗
- BettyhillThe village and the Clearances.undiscoveredscotland.co.ukUndiscovered Scotland↗
- Highland Pictish TrailThe carved stones of the Highlands.highlandpictishtrail.co.ukHighland Pictish Trail↗