Tarbat Discovery Centre

Found in the picturesque village of Portmahomack, the Tarbat Discovery Centre is a captivating museum that delves into nearly five centuries of Pictish heritage on the Tarbat Peninsula. This site offers visitors a remarkable glimpse into the lives and artistry of the Picts and showcases an array of nationally and internationally significant discoveries.

At the heart of the museum lies the "Pictish Treasury," a treasure trove of artefacts unearthed during a 20-year archaeological endeavour that has dramatically reshaped our understanding of Pictish culture.

Tarbat Old Parish Church

The centre is located within the historic St Colman's Church, a building with roots in the late medieval period, later transformed in the 18th century, and featuring a rare, well-preserved medieval crypt. Beyond the Treasury, visitors can explore St Colman's Gallery, which hosts rotating local exhibitions, a gift shop, and an interactive activity space.

The Tarbat Discovery Centre is perhaps most renowned for its extensive collection of artefacts and sculptures from the early Christian monastery that once thrived on this site. Established in the late 7th century on land granted to the Picts, this monastery was a beacon of spiritual and cultural life until its tragic destruction by fire, likely during a Viking raid around AD 820. Among the most notable remnants are the intricate sculptural masterpieces, deliberately damaged in the raid, which the Centre carefully preserves and displays.

The "Pictish Treasury" is rich with sculptural fragments and complete pieces, including a striking array of animals, mythical creatures, and complex geometric designs typical of Pictish art. Notably, the Treasury also houses tools from Europe's only known vellum workshop, which was once dedicated to creating pages for illuminated manuscripts. Additionally, the Centre showcases tools and artefacts used to craft ecclesiastical items from metal, glass, and enamel. Visitors can also view replicas of a Viking hoard, including silver armlets and coins, buried in the churchyard around AD 1000.

The Tarbat Discovery Centre is an integral part of the Highland Pictish Trail, offering a deep dive into the rich cultural tapestry of Scotland's ancient past.

Our Visit to Tarbat Discovery Centre

My family and I arrived just before noon on a lovely sunny day in July. The museum has a good-sized car park, and information boards explain the settlement layout that used to exist there. Parking was free.

Walking on the path from the car park, you will see information boards and a nifty "Pictish Queen" statue. Before you enter the main Kirkyard, a short path meanders up to the museum's main entrance.

 

Reception / Gift Shop

We were warmly greeted by a friendly staff member who was genuinely interested in hearing about our journey to the Centre. Kids got in free, and adults were only £5 each, a bargain price. The gift shop had some very cool items, including miniature Pictish stone replicas.

First Floor

From the reception, we were advised to start our visit by heading up the stairs directly behind us. These took us to the first floor, which contained an area for arts and crafts, old photo books, and a fun dress-up area. Lauren traced with crayons first while I looked through some old photo books. Olivia and Lauren then dressed up as medieval characters, they found it great fun.

 

 

 

 

We continued along the set route, reading many interesting wall panels about the hundreds of skeletons found here, including a strange six-headed burial.

Laird's Loft Lecture Theatre - Audio / Visual Display

The next stop was a cosy projector room where a continuous video presentation offered fascinating insights into the church and its surrounding area. It was a great primer into the museum, and we could see many of the mentioned artefacts when we made our way downstairs.

 

Vellum Workshop

Heading right to the back of the church, we came to a half-level area dedicated to the art of creating manuscripts. There is a rack showing the stretching of animal skins for use in the creation of the "paper" sheets and the tools used to develop the fine illuminated manuscripts. My daughter Ellie found this area interesting, as she's very artistic herself.

 

 

The Treasury

The Treasury was the highlight of my visit! This area is brimming with extraordinary artefacts, including intricately carved Pictish stones, Viking ring-money, and coins dating back to the 9th century. On the floor in the central area is a deep shaft with a grill over it. Peering down, you can see a skeleton. I wasn't sure if this was a replica or a real skeleton!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Crypt

Our journey culminated in the crypt, accessed via a steep staircase leading down to an atmospheric underground chamber with a vaulted ceiling. There's nothing scary here, i.e., no skeletons, but there are a few features to look out for, which can be found by reading the informational boards. I didn't like to linger here, as I remembered the receptionist telling me over 100 skeletons had been excavated from this area. Creepy.

 

The Grounds

Outside of the church building is an expansive graveyard with many old graves.

 

 

FAQs on Tarbat Discovery Centre

Is the centre suitable for children?

Yes, there are many fun areas for children, including:

• A tracings/art area.

• A costume area where you can dress up as a Viking or a Pict.

• A treasure hunt to find number symbols located all over the museum.

There is a skeleton which may scare some children.

Are there toilets and a cafe at Tarbat Discovery Centre?

There are toilets but no cafe.

What can I visit before or after the museum?

The small town of Portmohomock is lovely, and further north is Tarbat Ness Lighthouse, which is great for a short road trip. To the south, you can see another fantastic Pictish stone - The Shandwick Stone.

Is the centre suitable for disabled visitors?

Yes, wheelchair users can see the entire museum; there is even a dedicated lift to the upper levels.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

1 March – 31 March
Monday – Saturday, 1 pm – 4 pm 

1 April – 31 October
Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm 
Sunday, 1 pm – 4 pm

Admission

Under 16 years – FREE
Concessions (16-17 years and 65+) – £4.00
Adult – £5.00

Free admission for Members of the Tarbat Historic Trust.

Website:
tarbat-discovery.co.uk

Phone: 01862 871351
Email: admin@tarbat-discovery.co.uk

Key Information

• Tarbat Discovery Centre is a museum in Portmohomock in the Easter Ross Peninsula in north Scotland.

• The museum is dedicated to the area's history, particularly the medieval church and the Pictish monks.

• There is a dedicated car park, gift shop and toilets, but no cafe.

• There are fun things for the kids to do, including engravings, treasure hunts, and costume dress-ups.

Conclusion

Visiting the Tarbat Discovery Centre was a truly memorable experience. It's filled with fascinating exhibits and offers a wealth of information about the rich history of the Tarbat Peninsula. I highly recommend this museum for families.