Vanessa

Colour photograph of two ladies holding war medals. On the right is Tracy Anderson and blonde woman in her 30s and on the left her mother Maggie

Treasured World War II Medals with a Fascinating Story Gifted to the Museum

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The museum was delighted to be recently gifted military service awards that once belonged to Fort William soldier, Alexander Finlayson Beaton. The medals were donated by his daughter Maggie Hardy (nee Beaton) and granddaughter Tracy Anderson.  The World War II military service medals and badge were awarded to most servicing military personnel, but what makes […]

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black and white image of a man in military uniform wearing a kilt with his hands behind his back

Grandpa Beaton’s World War II Story

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In 2025 the museum were gifted Alexander Finlayson Beaton’s wartime medals by his daughter Maggie Hardy (nee Beaton) and granddaughter Tracy Anderson.  This fascinating account of Grandpa Beaton’s wartime experiences was written by his granddaughter and has also been gifted to the museum.  It is published here by kind permission of Tracy Anderson. Alexander Finlayson

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West Highland Museum appeals for public help with their Lochaber and the Mòd exhibition

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To mark the return of the Royal National Mòd to Fort William this October the West Highland Museum plans to hold an exhibition to celebrate the eight occasions in which Lochaber has previously hosted the event. The museum would like to invite anyone with memorabilia associated with these occasions which they would be willing to

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black and white portrait in profile of John Cameron

Military Stories: Colonel John Cameron of Fassefern (1771–1815)

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The museum has six objects in its collection that once belonged to Colonel John Cameron of Fassifern (or Fassiefern), these include a childhood toy, a love token, and objects associated with his military service. Cameron was a cousin of the Camerons of Lochiel and educated partly at the grammar school in Fort William, but also

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Black and white image of Kilmallie Shinty Team lined up with their shinty sticks and the Camanachd Cup

Shinty Memories: Kilmallie Shinty Club

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West Highland Museum is hosting its “Camanachd: Geama Aosda nan Gleann Abrach”  (Shinty: Ancient Game of the Lochaber Glens) exhibition this autumn.  In this third of a series of blogs, shinty expert and broadcaster Dr Hugh Dan MacLennnan explores the history of Kilmallie Shinty Club.  Kilmallie Shinty Club, currently based at Canal Parks, in Caol, was

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Shinty Memories: Lochaber Camanachd Club

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West Highland Museum is hosting its  “Camanachd: Geama Aosda nan Gleann Abrach”  (Shinty: Ancient Game of the Lochaber Glens) exhibition this autumn.  In this first of a series of blogs, local historian Kenny Mackintosh explores the history of the Lochaber Camanachd Club.    Lochaber Camanachd The present club play at Spean Bridge and are currently

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