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Easdale Island Folk Museum
Add to tripEasdale Island Folk Museum
Situated on Easdale Island near Oban in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. The island gained in prominance during the 18th century with the rise of the slate industry after the Earl of Breadalbane set up the Marble and Slate Quarrying Company of Netherlorn to exploit the local Easdale Slate.
The folk museum has well designed displays explaining a range of topics from the slate industry, army volunteers, education, and public health to geology, boats, and entertainment. There are genealogical records for the Kilbrandon and Kilchattan parish as well as rent books, Masonic records, and a map of Easdale Island circa 1881 on hard copy.
Easdale Island Folk Museum was set up in 1980 by the island's
owner at that time, Chris Nicholson, and without his interest and
support the museum would not be here today. The original curator,
Jean Adams, was a direct descendant of a slate quarrier's family.
It was Jean who, with the assistance of local residents and
families associated with the island collected, collated and
arranged the displays of artefacts, all of which originated in the
locality. Jean, after 25 years sterling service, retired in
2006.
The museum today is now owned by the community under the auspices
of Eilean Eisdeal, the island charitable company who managed
to raise the necessary funding in conjunction with the Big Lottery
to purchase the museum in 2008
There is an extensive range of artifacts and photographs depicting all aspects the life and times of the slate quarriers. Lynn and her staff will be thrilled to help anyone researching their roots and are happy to help in any other way. Open Apr-Oct 11.00am-4.30pm.
16 miles south of Oban
Tel: 01852-300173
info@easdalemuseum.org