Glencoe Folk Museum
"Huggable" - Rick Steves, Travel Writer
Meet the Team
Here at Glencoe Folk Museum, we aim to be a Museum of the people, by the people and for the people. The Museum is run by a small but dedicated team who are passionate about Glencoe's history, stories and culture.
We aspire to be the heart of our community, inspiring our local and global visitors to connect with the past by sharing our love of the unique history and culture of our corner of the Highlands.
If you have ever wondered who is behind what we do then, without further ado, please meet our team!
Catriona Davidson
Curator
About the position:
My job is very varied! As well as the usual curatorial work like creating exhibitions, dealing with donations and cataloguing objects I also manage most other aspects of the museum: recruiting and training volunteers, working on the front desk, running our social media channels, updating our website, writing blogs, ordering gift shop stock, answering enquiries, writing funding applications, cleaning up cobwebs, weeding…I’ve even spoken to TV crews and once hosted a wedding!
What is your favourite part of the position?
I love that my role isn’t confined to one part of museum work – I get to do a little bit of everything!
What is your favourite object?
Robert Campbell’s Boot – the fact that it links to one of the most infamous events in Glencoe’s history is amazing. But I also love our more unassuming objects too, the ones that tell really personal stories of local people - like a wedding dress that was donated recently.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
The mountains! Exploring on foot with my dog and getting to know all the local trails and hills and experiencing them in different seasons…it’s always different but it’s always beautiful.
Contact via email at curator@glencoemuseum.com
David Rounce
Project Director
About the position:
As it says on the tin, I direct the project – meaning it’s my responsibility to make the Museum’s vision of its future become reality, working from the brief given to me by the Museum’s Board of Trustees. On any given day this involves updating the project timetables and budgets, looking for new sources of funding, giving feedback on architect and exhibition designs, writing briefs and getting quotes for contract work, and drinking a lot of coffee! Probably the most important part of the job is communicating with key stakeholders – from staff and volunteers to local businesses, Highland Council, Historic Environment Scotland and key funders like the National Lottery Heritage Fund. And coffee – I mentioned coffee, right?
What is your favourite part of the position?
Working to turn everyone’s ideas and dreams for the future of the Museum into reality.
What is your favourite object?
This hat.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
The sunsets!
Contact via email at redevelopment@glencoemuseum.com
Parris Joyce
Learning and Engagement Officer
About the position:
Whenever people ask me what it is I do, I always say I’m like a teacher but for a museum. I educate and engage with people of all ages – from nursery aged kids to teenagers to intergenerational families to international tourists to elderly members of the community. This could be onsite at the museum itself, around the village of Glencoe or going out into the wider community visiting schools, community groups and local businesses. I could be delivering a presentation, doing an object handling session or even facilitating a writing workshop or arts and crafts event. When I’m not delivering learning programmes and events, I am developing and evaluating them behind the scenes, completing my admin tasks, doing social media posts, attending meetings and completing training. It is a really fun and interesting job where I get to continuously learn, develop myself, tell the history and stories of the Museum and speak and listen to people from all walks of life.
What is your favourite part of the position?
I like that I can be creative and have fun, that I can work with people of all ages and abilities, that I get to go out into the community and visit diverse groups at various sites, and that each day is different.
What is your favourite object?
The Ballachulish Goddess statue is a very interesting object with a great story behind it. I like the old skiing objects too but I also love all the random decorations scattered about the displays, making it seem like an old grannies attic has been emptied.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
The views of the mountains, I'll never get tired of them.
Contact via email at learning@glencoemuseum.com
Emma Halford-Forbes
Trustee (Acting Chair)
How long have you been a Trustee?
10+ years.
What is your favourite part of the position?
The people are what make volunteering for the Museum such a joy! The other board members, staff and volunteers are amazing – so kind, enthusiastic and welcoming.
What is your favourite object?
My favourite object is a kit trunk belonging to Agnes McGibbon, who served in India as a member of the Queen Alexandra Imperial Nursing Service during the Second World War. I was lucky enough to be volunteering with the curator when it was rediscovered.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
Its enduring ability to look epic – come rain, shine or snow, it looks beautiful. It really draws you in.
Ainize Moschynski
Trustee (Treasurer)
How long have you been a Trustee?
I've been a Trustee since July 2020.
What is your favourite part of the position?
My favourite part of the position is working together with the Board and our amazing staff in sorting out the everyday challenges of running the Museum.
What is your favourite object?
My favourite object is the Spitalfields Silk Dress. I have a 'thing' for historical costume and this dress from the 1740s features on some of our museum merchandise and was beautifully photographed by Jim Dunn in 2020 for the 'Highland Threads' online exhibition - I never get bored of looking at it!
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
My favourite thing about Glencoe, apart from the Museum (obviously) is the friendly village atmosphere and the stunning landscape surrounding it. I try to get away as much as I can to go hiking around Glencoe; there's nothing better that spending a day walking in the hills and finishing it off with a wee dram at the pub.
Alison Clark
Trustee (Deputy Chair)
How long have you been a Trustee?
Since the end of 2013.
What is your favourite part of the position?
The connection to the community I grew up in and contributing to the longevity of the museum.
What is your favourite object?
Tricky one! Its between the swords and the Ballachulish Goddess replica. The Coffin boat might be a close third, though.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
Watching the seasons change.
Lizzie Hazlehurst
Trustee
How long have you been a Trustee?
Since the start of 2021.
What is your favourite part of the position?
Being part of a team that is energetic and passionate about the museum and its future.
What is your favourite object?
The Wally Cats! I now live in Stoke on Trent where they were made.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
The fact that it's a tiny place but is loved by so many people all over the world.
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Rhona Paterson
Trustee (Secretary)
How long have you been a Trustee?
Since January 2015, although I have been involved with the Museum in a voluntary basis for over 50 years.
What is your favourite part of the position?
I enjoy being a Trustee and sharing my enthusiasm for preserving the history of the Glen and the surrounding area through the buildings and collections in the Museum.
What is your favourite object?
The wonderful collection of costumes are my favourite items in the Museum, they tell so much about the lives of the people who wore them, and is full of surprises.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
My favourite thing about Glencoe is the scenery, the hills and lochs are so dramatic - whatever the weather.
Morag Watt
Trustee
How long have you been a Trustee?
I have been involved with the museum since it began.
What is your favourite part of the position?
Working with the team, heritage professionals and volunteers alike, especially during the redevelopment project.
What is your favourite object?
Probably the Spitalfields Dress because I remember the excitement when it was donated via a dressing up box and a washing machine! It was clear that this was a very special donation to the new Museum from a local Jacobite family.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
Glencoe is always stunning… Beautiful lochs, majestic ancient mountains. I like that every day is different – the colours and sounds constantly change with the weather.
Claire Young
Trustee
How long have you been a Trustee?
Since 2020.
What is your favourite part of the position?
My favourite part about being trustee was getting to work with our curator and other trustees to help develop and plan new retail products and seeing then seeing excitement from everyone as the new products arrived. I also love what friendly and welcoming team it is.
What is your favourite object?
The Ballachulish Goddess replica is my favourite item in the collection. I have a big interest in archaeology and prehistory items so this was one of the first items that grabbed my attention and also it was one of the first items that I really learned about when working on retail products with our Curator. My Ballachulish Goddess keyring has pride of place on my desk at work.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
My favourite thing about Glencoe is all the walks that I can do from there and how they vary throughout the seasons. It is such an inspiring place to visit.
Laura MacCalman
Trustee
How long have you been a Trustee?
Since September 2023.
What is your favourite part of the position?
The opportunity to be involved in the museum re-development to ensure the stories continue to be told in new engaging and accessible ways has been very exciting, as has working with such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of staff and trustees.
What is your favourite object?
I have a love for historic costume that began when I curated an exhibition that included examples of period dress, so the Spitalfields Dress must be on the list for its beauty and opulence, but also because its reuse over many years means that the object itself documents changing fashions. I also developed a keen interest in the practices and rituals around death when I was studying and working as an archaeologist, so I find the coffin boat a fascinating object in itself, but also a great starting point to explore peoples’ stories and the local traditions that are in decline.
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
Its dramatic scenery and how it changes with the seasons.
Eleanor Matthews
Trustee
How long have you been a Trustee?
Since October 2023.
What is your favourite part of the position?
I'm really looking forward to being part of the amazing redevelopment of the museum and working with a fantastic and friendly team.
What is your favourite object?
Katherine Clayson MacFarlane's leather hiking boots. As a keen hillwalker and hopeful future Munroist, it's incredible for me to think that these boots could have been the ones which were worn when the first recorded Munro round was completed (by her husband Rev. Archibald Robertson). Katherine accompanied him to the summit of Meall Dearg in (where else) Glencoe, where Robertson apparently kissed the cairn first, and then his wife!
What is your favourite thing about Glencoe?
The landscape, the scenery, the views, the high mountains. Living in England, for me driving north along the A82 and into Glencoe is always such an exciting feeling, as it means that adventure awaits!