Local History 

VIEW BY APPOINTMENT / TEMPORARY DISPLAYS

THE LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION RELATES TO THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN FORTROSE AND ROSEMARKIE.

Inside the Fortrose Aerated Water Works,
John Grant (left) and George Knight (centre) with their younger workers when the factory was owned by James Reid, 1890s or 1900

Rosemarkie High Street, probably 1900s

Rosemarkie High Street, probably 1900s

Our local history collection is small but precious to Rosemarkie, Fortrose and further afield. It gives glimpses on the work or lives of people who stayed here in the 1900s, including those of MacDonald’s coal merchants, brownie and guide leader Mrs Galloway, Fortrose town clerk and provost George MacDowall, plumber Dodo Young and MacFarlane’s garage.

As well as certificates and letters, receipts, booklets and objects, the collection has hundreds of photographs. Most are black & white. Some show soldiers preparing to go to the 1st World War, others are of the village streets with staff standing outside their shops, there are school photos and family albums. Many were passed to the museum with little information.  We are always looking for further details.

The collection also includes archaeological finds from the vicinity – they’re a treasure trove from prehistoric times to the 1800s. Found during excavations, field-walking or metal-detecting, they range from a Neolithic stone axe to a 17th century ‘posie’ ring, from an Iron Age pendant to a medieval seal matrix. Some objects tell of prehistoric settlement and land-use. Others reflect the significance of the Chanonry of Rosemarkie and Fortrose when the cathedral was at its prime.

The museum has numerous items that have stories to tell, if only we could unlock their past. Any information on, or possible donations to, the collections are welcome.

If you have any queries or would like to visit the collections that aren’t on display contact  curator@groamhouse.org.uk

DOORWAYS TO THE COLLECTION

STORIES FROM THE COLLECTION

SHARING OUR LOCAL HISTORY

SHARING OUR LOCAL HISTORY

Our local history collection is rich with photographs and a quirky range of objects and we want to know more about their hidden histories.