Located in the village of Dunvegan the Giant MacAskill Museum is a favourite place for visitors to Skye. Open Easter to October it is well worth a visit if you are passing through Dunvegan. Despite the museum being in an old thatched croft house there is plenty of space inside for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Location of the Giant MacAskill Museum
The museum is relatively easy to find. Simply head to the village of Dunvegan, the main street running through is the A863. If arriving from Sligachan the museum is on your right just after the public car park. If arriving from Portree the museum is on your left just after the Fasgadh Stores. There are a couple of parking spaces in front of the museum, if these are full simply park in the public car park opposite. This is also where you will find public toilets, including a RADAR key operated Disabled Toilet.
Inside the Giant MacAskill Museum
Entry to the museum at our time of visiting was £2. If there is no one at the museum just follow the instructions on the hatch. Nobody came when we buzzed so we left our entrance money in the honesty box and signed in.
The museum is a fascinating insight into Giant Angus MacAskill who stood at a whopping 7feet 9 inches tall, 2.36 metres! There is a replica of his bed and some of his clothing, both of which are huge! Look how Sarah’s hand compares to the foot of his sock in the photograph. There are information boards around the edge of the museum charting his life. They give quite the insight into his life and some of the mischief he got up to.
Hung around the walls of the croft house are antique utensils, tools and items from his era. It is a small but fascinating place to visit. We probably stayed about half an hour but it was half an hour well spent. For Melanie it brought back memories of living in Market Weighton which was home to Giant Bradley who was Britain’s tallest man. He also stood at 7 feet 9 inches but he predated MacAskill. William Bradley toured with Barnum’s circus as a side show freak, whereas Giant MacAskill lived a more normalised life.
Danny MacAskill
As you enter the museum you may spot a very modern BMX style bike. Propped against the wall with little fanfare this a street trails bike belonging to Skye legend Danny MacAskill an ancestor of the giant. He is known for something very different though, take a moment to watch the video and appreciate his cycling skills, they are really something else! We often joke that Sarah’s wheels could do with being “a bit more Danny”, and this is what we mean!!