The West Highland Museum () tells the story of the Scottish Highlands and the Islands. It aims to cover every aspect of West Highland history, including that of Fort William, where it is located in a listed building in the centre of the town. It also hosts other exhibits for archaeology and wildlife. The museum, which has always been independent, is a member of Museums Galleries Scotland. History The West Highland Museum was founded in 1922 by Victor Hodgson (1875-1929), who gathered exhibits and books and displayed them in the Public Reading Room in Monzie Square. In 1925 funds were raised and the following year part of the present premises in Cameron Square, the British Linen Bank, was purchased. After more fund raising in the 1960s, an adjacent building to the south was purchased. The Museum is B listed and one of the oldest buildings in town. In response to declining visitor numbers, the museum ceased charging for entry in 2011. In 2010 the museum had 9152 visitors. This rose to 31315 the following year on abolition of entry charges and has increased annually to 60806 in 2019. The museum recorded a million visitors between 1979 and 2014. It now has three part-time paid staff who operate with the support of approximately 40 volunteers. Collection The museum has eight rooms on three floors, with an extensive collection of exhibits relating to the Jacobites, including the 18th century "secret portrait" of Bonnie Prince Charlie which Victor Hodgson found in a London junk shop. Apparently random marks on the base were focused by the cylindrical mirror to show the Prince's image, a painting technique known as anamorphosis. The mirror would be removed when the owners needed to hide their loyalty. Later royalty is represented by a collection of Victoriana, including the regalia gifted by Queen Victoria to her favourite servant, John Brown. The museum covers military history, with a focus on the Commando Basic Training Centre, set up during the Second World War at Achnacarry Castle near Spean Bridge. In 1936, during the demolition of the fort, the museum was gifted the pine panelling of the governor's room, which it used to create its own Governor's Room. This room also contains the birching table belonging to the burgh (i.e. the town council) of Fort William, used to restrain people subject to judicial corporal punishment; birching was last used to chastise an offending