Highland Museum of Childhood

The Highland Museum of Childhood in Strathpeffer is a warm, evocative museum that explores how childhood in the Highlands has changed over the past two centuries. Set inside the old Victorian railway station, it combines nostalgia with social history, offering a thoughtful look at toys, school life and family traditions. One of the most charming features is the extensive toy collection. You’ll find handmade dolls, tin toys, puzzles, board games and early mechanical novelties that show how children played long before plastic and electronics. Many items were crafted locally, revealing the creativity of rural families who made their own entertainment. The museum also delves into education. Old schoolbooks, slates, uniforms and photographs illustrate the strict routines of Highland classrooms, while personal letters and reports give insight into the challenges faced by pupils in remote communities. Domestic objects such as prams, clothing and feeding utensils highlight how childcare evolved through the Victorian and Edwardian eras. A standout element is the display dedicated to the Strathpeffer Spa, showing how visiting families shaped the village’s identity as a fashionable resort.