Groam House Museum

Groam House Museum is a small museum in Rosemarkie, a village on the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands, right next to Fortrose. It focuses on Celtic and Pictish art, and its greatest treasures are sculpted stones from the 8th century.

What can you see at Groam House Museum?

The heart of the collection is the Rosemarkie Stone, a cross-slab about 2.6 m tall. It dates from the 8th century and is carved with Pictish symbols and Christian crosses. It is counted among the major surviving examples of Pictish stone sculpture. According to the Canmore record, it was found in two pieces in the floor of the old church before that church was demolished and a new one built in 1821.

Alongside it is the group of Rosemarkie sculpture fragments: fourteen pieces of carved stone, the best known being Daniel's Stone. In total the collection holds roughly fifteen stones, all from Rosemarkie itself, which was an important centre of early Christianity.

Who was George Bain, and what is his collection?

The museum also hosts the George Bain Collection. Bain (1881-1968) was an art teacher regarded as the father of modern Celtic design. He spent many years working out the mathematical construction behind the intricate knotwork and spirals of Celtic art. His artwork and archive were donated by his family in 1998, and the collection is recognised as nationally significant.

How did the museum come about?

The museum occupies an 18th-century building, given to the community by local businessman Mario Pagliari. The district council later took responsibility for the building so the cross-slab would have a safe home. When an expansion was agreed in 1992, a mezzanine floor was added and much of today's ground-floor display was created.

Who is it for?

It suits anyone interested in Scottish history, archaeology, early medieval art and Celtic design. The museum is intimate, so an hour or two is usually enough.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Groam House Museum? In Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, in the Highland region of Scotland, next to Fortrose.

Is admission charged? Sources indicate entry is free, with the museum supported by donations. Check before you visit.

What are the opening hours? They vary by season, and the museum can be closed in winter. The museum's official website lists current times.

What is the most valuable item in the collection? The Rosemarkie Stone, an 8th-century Pictish cross-slab, and the George Bain Collection.

What are Pictish stones? They are carved stones left by the Picts, early inhabitants of northern Scotland. They are decorated with animal symbols, geometric designs and crosses.