The Arctic Convoy Museum has welcomed HRH The Princess Royal to its Exhibition Centre in Aultbea. The museum is the only one in the UK solely dedicated to story of the WWII supply convoys that assembled at Loch Ewe for the perilous journey to the northern ports of the Soviet Union. The objects in its collection have all been entirely donated by Arctic Convoy veterans and their families and tell stories of bravery, hardship and tragedy.
The Princess Royal was visiting Wester Ross to find out more about volunteer led activities in the area. She was able to meet volunteers and staff, some of whom have been involved in running the museum since its inception in 2011. Her Royal Highness was given a tour of the museum’s new displays by curator Dr Karen Buchanan. Chairman Francis Russell introduced the trustees and the team of friendly and knowledgeable volunteers who welcome visitors to the museum and maintain the Arctic Convoy memorial at Cove.
Within the Exhibition Centre, The Princess Royal showed particular interest in the personal stories of Arctic Convoy veterans behind the objects on display. She questioned volunteers on their roles within the museum and their personal connections to the convoys. Towards the end of her visit, Her Royal Highness unveiled a commemorative plaque and was presented with a scarf in the Arctic Convoy tartan and a ship’s crest for HMS Helicon – the naval base at Aultbea during WWII.
Museum Chairman Francis Russell commented ‘I am so pleased that The Princess Royal was able to visit the museum, meet our volunteers and hear about the fantastic work they do keeping the museum going and providing a first-class visitor experience. Everyone involved with the museum is incredibly dedicated to our mission of preserving the memories of the Arctic Convoy veterans and maintaining a lasting memorial to their efforts.’
As well as its popular exhibition centre, the Arctic Convoy Museum maintains a Wartime Trail around Loch Ewe, which explains the WWII archaeology that survives around the loch. Through a map and interpretation panels, the trail gives visitors a vivid insight into the story, right where it took place.