Take 5

Religion and Beliefs from Highlands Past

How people thought and the beliefs they held in the past can often be difficult to access. Museum of the Highlands showcases a wide selection of objects to help us move closer to the thinking of the past.

1) The Highlands is famous for its Pictish stones and there are lots of examples for your students to explore.
Explore | Museum of the Highlands

A few not to be missed are the Rosemarkie Stone from Groam House Museum, the Calf Stone from Tarbat Discovery Centre and the Eagle and Salmon-designed stone at Gairloch Museum.
The Rosemarkie Stone | Museum of the Highlands
The Calf Stone | Museum of the Highlands
Pictish Stone with Eagle and Salmon | Museum of the Highlands

2. Next, watch the short introduction to the Pictish Trail in the Highland Explorer series on the website.
The Pictish Trail | Museum of the Highlands

3) We get a great insight into Prehistoric customs around death and burial from the world of archaeology. The incredible Chealamy beaker from Strathnaver Museum is likely an example of ‘grave goods’.
Chealamy Beaker | Museum of the Highlands

You can find out more about Bronze age beakers from the mouth of an archaeologist too. Find out from Lynne Mckeggie how archaeology has changed through this incredible example.
What is archaeology and how has is changed? | Museum of the Highlands

4) If you want to explore more about the different ways that people have worshipped in modern times, you can also find a range of objects.

Discover a Telford Church which is now the building where you’ll find Ullapool Museum.
A Telford Church in Ullapool | Museum of the Highlands

Or discover how religious beliefs and practices have changed.

A harmonium from the Tarbat Discovery Centre gives us an insight into times when music was banned from churches.
Harmonium | Museum of the Highlands

Next, communion tokens from Cromarty Courthouse Museum take us back to Presbyterian Churches of Scotland.
Communion Token | Museum of the Highlands

5) Finally, discover how Highlanders have spread their beliefs across the globe, with the incredible story of John Ross from the Seaboard Centre.

Explore his bible, translated into Korean, debate how the work of missionaries is remembered today in ‘The Big Question’, and find out if your students could survive life in that role with our fun interactive quiz ‘Could You Survive?’.
Korean Bible | Museum of the Highlands
How should we remember the work of Christian missionaries? | Museum of the Highlands
As a Missionary | Museum of the Highlands