1) Have you ever visited the Clan Macpherson Museum in Newtonmore, Scotland?

2) If NO, do you plan to visit the Clan Macpherson Museum in the relatively near future?

3) Have you ever visited the Macpherson Electronic Museum (MEM) online at www.clan-macpherson.org?

4) The Collection
The Museum collection consists largely of artefacts directly, although sometimes indirectly,
associated with the Clan Macpherson and its associated families, which accords strictly with
the Museum Trust Deed.

Is the collection relevant to the needs of modern visitors, whether Clan members or not?

5) The Collection - continued

Should the manner of display be altered in any major way?

6) The Collection - continued

If the answer to the preceding question was YES please suggest how we should do so.

7) The Collection - continued

Should the scope of the collection be widened to include items of more general interest, eg Scottish or Highland history?

8) The Collection - continued

Are the artifacts in the best possible condition?

9) The Collection - continued

Should we continue to develop the Library?

10) The Collection - continued

Should the Library remain a small research library?

11) The Collection - continued

Should we put the Library books on-line and tie in with some large shared-interest libraries?

12) The Collection - continued

In view of the current public interest in genealogy, is this an area into which we should now expand?

13) The Collection - continued

If the answer to the preceding question was YES please suggest how we should do so.

14) Space

The Museum comprises exhibition and limited storage space, a library and small archive room. Overall, it has grown enormously in size over the last fifty years and the methods of display have changed beyond recognition.

Are we using the existing available space to the best possible advantage?

15) Space - continued

Should we extend the existing display space within the confines of our existing
property?

16) Space - continued

Should we abandon and sell our existing site and build a new purpose-made
Museum elsewhere within the Clanlands?

17) Governance & Staffing

At present the Museum is the responsibility of its Trustees who act through the agency of the
Museum Advisory Committee (MAC), a body made up of Trustees with the addition of other
members who need not necessarily be Association members.

The Curator is non-salaried but has accommodation and services provided. Assistance and
relief is provided by paid party-time workers (including a designated Shop Manager).

Is the present system of governance suitable for the needs of today and tomorrow?

18) Governance & Staffing - continued

Should we have a full time salaried Curator and assistants?

19) Internal & External Relations

The Museum is at the heart of the Association and members are kept in touch by articles in
‘Creag Dhubh’ and Branch newsletters.

In the wider world, the Museum is fully registered, ie it has government approval and has
reached the status of being a ‘4 Star’ visitor attraction.

In some quarters the Museum may be looked on as a ‘closed shop’, of interest only to Clan
members and of little importance to the outside world.

How can we make the world aware that the Clan Museum is of importance in the
understanding of the history of Scotland in general and the Highlands in particular?

20) Internal and External Relations - continued

How can we integrate fully into the local community and prove that the Museum is
as much their heritage as it is ours?

21) Income and Expenditure

At present, the running costs of the Museum are met by voluntary donations by the visiting
public together with profits from the shop. Interest from the Guardians Fund, set up a few
years ago, is dedicated to fabric maintenance. The Lady Sheila Endowment Fund is designed
to accumulate to provide Curatorial support, education and training.
 
Capital expenditure is generally met from funds with the occasional grant from public
sources.

Deficits are made up with an injection of money from the Association.

This somewhat precarious financial situation presents the greatest challenge to the running of
the Museum in the future.

The argument that all visitors should be required to pay an entrance fee has been aired
several times in the past, the general conclusion being that an entrance fee might prejudice
numbers and donations. It is worth noting that all national-owned museums and galleries in
Scotland have free entry.

Innovative ideas are required to put the Museum on a firm financial footing, at
present it relies on visitor numbers and generosity of Association members.

Practical suggestions for innovations to assist profitability are welcomed.

22) The Shop

As indicated above, the Shop provides an important source of income to pay for the running
costs of the Museum, including the salaries of staff and the Shop Manager. By convention,
the shop does not compete with other shops in the village in terms of the materials it stocks;
by and large, Museum shop stock relates to the Clan Macpherson.

Should the shop remain the same size as it is now, or should it be expanded to carry
more items?

23) The Shop - continued

Should it remain where it is currently located?

24) The Shop - continued

Should the CMMT (Clan Macpherson Museum Trust) develop online shopping facilities, available to serve customers
throughout the year?

25) IT and Technology

At the moment the Clan Macpherson Museum is a ‘low tech’ one with traditional displays in
show cases and behind glass.

The museums world is moving on and amazing electronic displays are now available,
ranging from touch-screens and moving images to virtual exhibits which invite the visitor to
take a leading and active part in the displays.

Do you think the Museum should be re-organised to keep up with current/ future
technology or stay in its present mode?

26) Written Supplement

Respondents are invited to include a written supplement containing

• Suggestions
• Opinions
• Real-life examples from other such museums