Scottish Geology Festival at Hugh Miller’s Birthplace
Born in 1802 in a thatched cottage in Cromarty, Hugh Miller would become a pioneer in geology and one of the most famous fossil hunters in Britain. During his life he advocated for making geology accessible to audiences across the country.
Now, over 200 years since his birth, we are once again taking part in the annual Scottish Geology Festival (organised by the Scottish Geology Trust) with a series of amazing exhibitions and events – and this year we are gearing up for our biggest offering yet!
The festival will run from 1 September until 12 October 2025.
Running throughout the festival will be our temporary exhibition inside Miller House: ‘Stories in Stone: Fossils and their folklore’.
Tying into the 190th anniversary of the publication of Miller’s book Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland, it encourages visitors to traverse the boundary between fact and folklore as we delve into the tall tales used to explain the origins of fossils long before the science of geology was created. From ammonite snakestones to devil’s toenails, we explore local legends as well as stories from the far-flung reaches of the world. Plus, get the chance to see brand new and never-before-displayed fossils from our behind-the-scenes collection!
- Admission is included with museum entry.
If you’re up for a time-travelling adventure, then our ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’ geology tour is just the thing for you!
Get ready to explore a billion years of Earth’s history and explore the geological forces that have shaped the coastline around Cromarty in this new special introductory tour to geology. From the earliest days of the Precambrian period to the recent (geologically speaking!) frozen wastes of the Ice Age, explore how Earth’s mighty forces have created the country we call home.
- This special tour will take place on Tuesday 16 September from 2–3.30pm.
Unable to make the special tour above?
Our much-loved Fossil Walks will also be taking place on Fridays and Saturdays (tide dependent) throughout the festival. Travel back 385 million years to take part in ongoing scientific research and meet those who lived in Scotland long before the first dinosaurs walked the Earth!
All of these events lead up to the most important event in our calendar: Hugh Miller’s Big Birthday Weekend. Taking place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October, join us in celebrating Hugh Miller’s 223rd birthday with a family-oriented weekend filled with story-telling, Living History, fossil hunts and science experiments.
We are thrilled to announce that Living Historian Andy Newton will attend both days, to take visitors back to the early 19th century and explore what life was like for children during the Victorian period. Storyteller Lizzie McDougall will also join us as part of the Big Scottish Story Ripple, to share folklore stories inside the birthplace cottage – just like the ones that captivated a young Hugh when he lived here over 200 years ago.
All activities during the birthday weekend event (with the exception of our Fossil Walks) are included with entry into the museum.
Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage & Museum will be open over the festival from Wednesdays to Sundays, 11am–4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Stay updated on everything happening at the museum and over the Scottish Geology Festival by following the museum on Facebook or by keeping an eye on our website!
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