Monday 16th November 2026

'The Picts of the Inverness Region & Easter Ross'

by

Alastair Morton

Alastair Morton has a degree in archaeology, but spent his working years in legal and IT contexts for a UK bank.  He became a member of the Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie in the 1980s, and upon retiring to the Highlands, joined the Board in 2007.  

Since then Alastair has been a director, volunteer, administrative employee and trustee by turns, gaining a long and deep insight into the history, customs and practices of the museum. 

He also has a strong affinity for and admiration of George Bain, having started using his Celtic Art instruction booklets as a teenager.

Groam House was gifted to Fortrose Town Council in 1974 by Mario Pagliari of Rosemarkie.  A few years later the District Council took responsibility for the building to ensure that there would be a safe location for the Rosemarkie Pictish cross-slab, the iconic focus of the village and today's museum.

By 1981 the building had been completely altered and the cross-slab conserved and moved into the premises.  The following year, Better Marshall was employed to welcome visitors; Pictish sculpted stones were moved from Rosemarkie Church so they could be displayed alongside the the cross-slab.  Committed to a long-term future for the museum, local people started to donate objects and photographs relating to this part of the Black Isle.

Expansion followed in 1992 when the Council agreed to enlarge the display space.  A mezzanine floor was added and much of today's ground floor display was created.  Groam House became the Pictish Interpretation Centre for Ross & Cromarty.

Over the last 40 years the museum has developed three areas of collecting:

• Pictish stones from Rosemarkie and its evirons
• Prehistoric, historic and local history items from this part of the Black Isle
• The George Bain Collection and related Celtic Art items

The Museum aims to share its collections in imaginative ways with volunteers, members, visitors and a wider public via the engagement projects, exhibitions and digital media, while ensuring the long-term care of the collections.

Today, Groam House Museum continues to inspire people of all backgrounds and ages to enjoy and understand its collections and develop associated skills.  By working with others locally and nationally, the Museum strives to conserve and bring to life the objects and their stories through related activities, arts and crafts.

Nairn Community Centre 

King Street, Nairn

7.30 p.m.

Refreshments and a Warm Welcome Await!

Members Free, Guests £6.00 on the door