Discover a community shaped by fishing, faith, trade, people, and the changing of society.
Since 1971, the Wick Society has strived to protect and promote Wick's history. Today the Wick Society has under its wing the Heritage Centre, Isabella Fortuna, Johnston Collection, and Wick Voices - an oral history project. Please come along and view our displays for an amazing look back into the past of this historic town.
Find out more about the society's most exciting projects.
The Johnston Collection represents the work of three generations of Caithness photographers who captured images of life in and around the area between 1863 and 1975. They are now held in trust by the Wick Society.
Portraits, objects, and people from the Caithness past
Wick Voices aims to record the history of Wick and its neighbouring villages straight from the mouths of those who have lived it. For the first time these recordings are available to the public exclusively through this website.
Memories and first hand accounts from the community
The Isabella Fortuna is a superbly restored example of a traditional Fifie fishing vessel, built by James Weir of Arbroath, and launched on 15th September 1890. The Wick Society bought the Isabella Fortuna from Hobson Rankin and Michael May, in 1997.
A fine example of our great maritime heritageTouch here to get directions through your mobile device, or use the options below to plan your journey.
Choose a starting point for information about your journey.
A veritable tardis of a museum! What a smashing introduction to daily life in this wonderful herring capital of the world. If you haven't seen this museum, you ain't seen Scotland.
It's amazing how much history and how many artifacts they have preserved. They span a range of time frames. Staff, mainly volunteers are great about explaining the history behind many of the exhibits. It's worth the entry cost.
Without a shadow of a doubt one of the best, small museums in Scotland. If you are in the area then you would be mad not to visit.
This museum is truly impressive. The volunteers here can guide you through the exhibits, giving you a much better sense of what you're seeing. They have an incredible selection of old photographs displayed throughout and a wide range of material items, ranging from small items like clothing and toys, to large pieces like a fishing boat.
The prints of photos from the collection were unbelievable making you wish some of these were relatives of yours. Everything from the history of the Wick fishing fleet and associated items, everyday things that make me feel old. The gardens were a bonus especially if you walk up to see the view from.
The Wick Society
18 - 27 Bank Row
Wick
Caithness
KW1 5EY
Wick Society
Wick Heritage Centre
Johnston Collection
Wick Voices