Kilmartin Glen is one of the densest and most important mainland archaeological landscapes in Scotland. Many of these ancient monuments are of national and international importance. More sites are being discovered every year, by chance, as part of our research initiatives, or other organisations' work. 

It was in the midst of this landscape that Kilmartin House Trust was founded in 1994.  The Trust aimed to create a centre which would raise awareness of the ecological richness and outstanding archaeological importance of the surrounding area and so to encourage its conservation and wise management.  The centre would provide a place where local knowledge and locally-found artefacts could be collected, preserved, interpreted and displayed.  Whilst protecting artefacts, this would also provide the local community with an opportunity to take their heritage as a focus from which to gain a sense of continuity, place and identity.  Visitors to the Glen could be oriented and informed what there was to see and do, which would enhance their enjoyment and control their impact.  The Trust also aimed to stimulate children’s interest in the local environment, as well as develop their sense of responsibility towards it.  We now also aim to carry out and support research into the archaeology and environmental history of the area and to ensure that the public have access to the results. (See our mission statement here).

Following several years of fund raising, and a great deal of unpaid voluntary work by the founders, David Clough and Rachel Butter, the Museum opened in 1997.  The Trust, which runs the Museum is a registered charity (SCO22744) and achieved full registration status under the The Museum Registration Scheme (now known as the Museum Accreditation Scheme) administered by the Scottish Museums Council.  Since the Museum’s opening, it has received much acclaim.  In 1998 it won both the Scottish Museum of the Year award and the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize for Museums and Galleries.  These are just two in a long list of awards.

The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, who are:

Mr Gordon Grey Stephens (Chair) - Director, Scottish Native Woods, AGWA Founding Member
Cllr. Alison Hay – Local Councillor
Mr Hugh Andrew – Managing Director, Birlinn Publishing
Mr Neal Ascherson - Journalist, Author, Editor of the Journal Public Archaeology & Lecturer at University College London
Dr Ewan Campbell – Lecturer, Department of Archaeology, University of Glasgow
Dr Deborah Long - Conservation Officer, Plantlife Scotland
Mr David Murrary - Church of Scotland Elde
Professor Allan Hamilton - retired lecturer Aberdeen University 

The Trustees employ Director and Curator Sharon Webb, Deputy Director Richard Adair, both full time and employs the following part time members of staff; Julia Hamilton and Kate Moody, Education Officers and Anne Smart, Administrator.  Julia and Kate are only part time with Kilmartin, because they also cover Campbeltown and Auchindrain Museums.  As with most Museums, we also rely on the support of volunteers.  Kilmartin House Trust also operates a trading company, Kilmartin House Trading Co. (SC166302 Scotland), which employs around 7 hard working full, part time and seasonal staff in the Museum shop, reception and in the café.  John Fisher manages the café, and Jude Hubble manages the shop and reception. 

Aside from creating the Museum gallery, collections store, audio visual show and opening the café and shop, we have, over the last 10 years provided an education service for local schools, as well as an events and workshop programme for people of all ages.  The Museum has been the venue for a number of temporary art exhibitions by local and non-local artists.  We have published books and completed a number of research projects as well as launching our first excavation at Barnlusgan Dun last year.  There is a publicly accessible library – created in honour of local antiquarian Marion Campbell.  In addition to the employment directly generated by the Museum it has been externally estimated that it generates an economic impact in the local area of around £1.5 million per year.  In 2005 the Museum was honoured by a visit from HRH Prince Charles, who was most impressed by the Museum and the area's impressive archaeology.  

None of this would have been possible without a great deal of hard work, much of it voluntary in the early days, as well as a huge amount of support from the local community, numerous volunteers, private trusts and charities, in addition to funding from local and national agencies.  

Finding enough funding to keep the place afloat has been difficult.  The Museum founders’ aim was that the centre would be a sustainable development with running costs covered by ticket sales, shop and café profits.  Much of the early work of the Trust, prior to opening, focused on raising finance for capital development through donations from private and public bodies.  After opening, a development phase (1997 – 2000) which saw the renovation of the upper part of the house, including the creation of volunteer accommodation, was funded by various sources, including the Heritage Lottery Fund.  In the period 2002 to 2003 various public bodies awarded grants to support the Trust as it attempted to move towards sustainability.  

It was recognised towards the end of 2003 however, that self sustainability was unachievable in the short term.  Although the financial contribution of the trading company has increased by more than 50% since 1998, this has proved insufficient to fully fund the work of the Trust.  Whilst it is relatively easy to bring in grants for projects, ‘core’ funding is a challenge for museums the world over.  Not a single one is able to survive without some kind of external support, (typically by local or national government, or an endowment) unless of course, they are wholly run by volunteers, and even then some income is necessary to pay bills, insurance, and so on.  Given the rural location and the seasonality of the tourist industry this is especially challenging at Kilmartin House Museum. 

Following a period of uncertainty and job losses, towards the end of 2004, AIE (the local Enterprise Company) commissioned a business review, which made recommendations on how the Trust might continue. A huge amount of public support to keep the Museum open was received in the form of a petition and letter writing campaign.  Subsequently, in early 2005 a three year funding package was agreed with Argyll and Bute Council, Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.  The Scottish Executive also made a contribution for two years, and the Trust has worked hard to achieve a realistic increase in self generated income.  Rather than being dependent on the Trust achieving complete financial self sufficiency, the current funding package was agreed on the basis of the cultural and interpretive services which Kilmartin House Museum provides on behalf of these national and regional agencies.  Initial discussions regarding extension of the package beyond 2008 are positive.  Indeed, an increase has been agreed with Argyll and Bute Council, as we are to take over the archaeological curatorship of Campbeltown Museum on their behalf.  We will be working in partnership with Auchindrain Museum, who will look after the later historical material at Campbeltown.  The future of Kilmartin House Museum now looks a great deal more secure.