Auchindrain, the sole surviving example of a Highland farm township, is at risk of closure following a funding cut.
Located south of Inveraray, the historic site which once welcomed Queen Victoria has stood the test of time, surviving the Highland Clearances that led to the abandonment of similar communities across Scotland more than 150 years ago.
For the past 60 years, Bail’ Ach’ an Droighinn, the Gaelic name, or Auchindrain has been operated as an open-air museum, showcasing the life of ordinary rural Highlanders. Its preservation has been overseen by the Auchindrain Trust, a charity dedicated to maintaining this unique cultural landmark.
However, the trust now warns that the 22-acre site may close permanently due to the withdrawal of funding from Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
The township, which has remained largely unchanged since at least the 18th century, relied heavily on financial support from HES. Over the past three years, HES has provided £600,000 in grants, accounting for about 90% of the museum’s operational budget. However, this funding is set to end in March 2025.
A statement from the Trustees revealed the grim reality: “The museum is now closed to visitors and is unlikely to reopen in its present form. All staff have been informed that they are at risk of redundancy. The cost of caring for such a large and complex historic site is far greater than the income that can be generated from visitors or in other ways, particularly in a rural location such as Mid Argyll.”
Bob Clark, curator and director of Auchindrain Township, emphasised its significance: “Auchindrain is as important to Scottish history as Skara Brae, Culloden, or Bannockburn. It is the Stirling Castle of ordinary people, a testament to the rural working class. Millions of people worldwide with Scottish ancestry are descended from those who lived and worked in townships like Auchindrain. Now, this last surviving example is in danger of being lost.”
Established as far back as the early 16th century, and with archaeological evidence suggesting habitation since 200 AD, Auchindrain offers a rare glimpse into a way of life that has vanished elsewhere. Queen Victoria herself visited the township in 1875, describing it as a “primitive village.”
HES acknowledged the difficulties, stating: “Despite significant efforts by the Trust, a sustainable business model has not been found. We remain ready to support future initiatives to secure Auchindrain’s future.”
Without urgent intervention, this Category A listed Conservation Area, a vital link to Scotland’s past, may face abandonment. Once drawing 20,000 visitors annually, Auchindrain’s fate now hangs in the balance, threatening to erase an irreplaceable piece of Highland heritage.
