Scottish Tartans Museum — Attraction in Franklin

On Thursday, 15 October, my family took a day trip to North Carolina; Franklin, to be exact. What is the significance of Franklin, North Carolina to Celtic Culture? The answer is quite simple: This is the home of the Scottish Tartans Museum, and the location where a very strong population of Scottish immigrants began their journey to pass through the Cumberland Gap and thus gain access to easier trails and roads the led across the United States necessary for them to establish themselves, and create the Celtic footprint on this country. Many of the Scottish immigrants decided to stay in the area of the Appalachian Mountains, which resembled the beloved highlands that they left behind, making Franklin and surrounding areas have a very strong Scottish Influence over the course of time. Fast forward back to the present time: My small family left our home at 6:00 in the morning for the 2 ½ hours drive, arriving in Franklin a solid hour before they opened. This was by design, allowing us to enjoy a small breakfast at a local eatery prior to being the first visitors of the day to the museum. I was also able to get a parking spot directly in front of the museum, which brought quite a large smile to my face. Once the time arrived to go into the museum, I admittedly reverted to the excitement of a young child, dragging my wife by the hand excitedly as we took the very short walk from the restaurant to the front doors of the museum that I had been wanting to come to for a few years. Once inside the building, which is staffed completely by volunteers whose only payment is sharing Scottish history to whomever comes through their doors, I was immediately ready to tour the history within their walls. I was especially impressed that the gentleman remembered our encounter at a Highland games two years prior, bringing up aspects of our conversation, proving that he actually did remember me (he was paramount in helping me discover so much of my heritage and which clan my family were associated with). They discourage photography for the main following reason: theirs is a nonprofit business with a small inventory, so if photos are taken by visitors and posted to the interwebs, then others will feel like they have already seen everything, and feel no desire to visit the museum itself. A small fee will get you through the small door which hides a small corridor that makes a small “S” through the upstairs portion of the museum. Very interesting, indeed, but one can just feel that there is more (and better) material to be seen, once one descends into the basement of the building. You are not let down at all: once downstairs, the visitor is treated to a small area that is packed with links to the past, and before you can say “Haggis is the most misunderstood delicacy in the world,” you’ve completed the loop and must leave the reminder of days gone by and return to today… However, once you’ve completed this tour and are headed back up the stairs to the gift shop, you cannot help but to feel more Scottish, aye, you feel the pipes as they play Scotland the Brave in your head, and you feel your heritage coursing stronger through your veins (even if you are already wearing a kilt on that day). The gift shop is full of wonderful items for that hard to shop for Scot on your list, and they have the ability to research almost anything you may need to know about your Scottish roots. An amazing day spent with folks I love. If you’ve made it this far in my lengthy post, please consider visiting this establishment, they depend on revenue created by visitors to their shop/museum to survive, and like many small businesses this year, they have been hurt badly by...

I was completely blown away by the history and the thoughtful duration of the Scottish Tartans Museum. Daniel and Heidi were very helpful, passionate and knowledgeable about Scottish and Irish history and the gift shop was such a cool experience. I did not know what to expect but my time spent there was extremely rewarding and I will definitely have to return to purchase gifts and I recommend anyone in Western NC looking who find history and heritage intriguing to take the time to visit this gem of an attraction right in Downtown Franklin! The huge collection of tartan samples also did not disappoint. Great for the whole family and I feel I learned so much in a short amount time. It was a very enriching experience. I hope to also return to volunteer in the future and encourage others to look into visiting and perhaps even consider making volunteering a habit. It seems like such a cool and unique place to be...

The staff and owners are exceptionally knowledgeable, and their passion for Scottish heritage is evident, making for an enjoyable and enlightening experience.

What I appreciated most about the Tartan Museum was its commitment to authenticity and respect for our ancestors' legacy. Every item on display serves as a testament to the pride of Scottish heritage and the spirit of our forefathers.

The Tartan Museum is a must-visit for anyone seeking to learn more about the Scottish way of life and the history of our ancestors. The museum's reverence for tradition and its engaging exhibits make for an unforgettable experience.

If you're searching for a museum that is rich in knowledge, authenticity, and a deep respect for our ancestors' heritage, then the Tartan Museum is the perfect destination. I highly recommend visiting the Tartan Museum and experiencing Scottish culture's rich...