Skip to content

Folk belief, healing and medicinal practice through the ages in Lochaber

Slàinte agus sunnd tro na Linntean ann an Loch Abar

Since the very earliest times in Lochaber, people have had particular beliefs about their health and wellbeing. In this topic, we look at some of these. We also consider the impact of advancements in medical knowledge, together with improvements in public health and sanitation.

So, let’s start with the basics!

What are the five basic necessities of life?

  • Fresh air
  • Clean water
  • Good food
  • Shelter
  • Warmth
Read More

Diseases/Health problems in different time eras: some examples

Read More

Want to learn more?

  • An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Faery Tales, book by Theresa Breslin
  • Horrible Science: Blood, bones and body bits, book by Nick Arnold
  • DK Eyewitness Guides: Medicine, by Steve Parker
  • Celtic Medical Treatments – Folk Medicine article by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/celtic-medical-treatments

What can I see in the museum?

  • A variety of charmstones are on display in a case in Room 3 of the museum.
  • A charm for good luck which belonged to Colonel John Cameron, from around 1810. It is a folded cloth wallet, made of silk Gordon tartan. It contains a letter and a small square of satin with pebbles, seeds and pieces of stalk sewn in, as well a tiny padlock. The charm was given to him to keep him safe in battle.
  • A Palmer Injector, located in the Highland Life gallery. This is an insulin injector gun invented in 1955 by Mr. Charles Palmer who lived at the Factor’s House, Torlundy. Mr Palmer had Type 1 diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes need to inject insulin several times a day to survive. Palmer’s device was designed to make it easier for people to inject themselves with insulin. The gun was not only used for insulin, but for giving injections to children in school clinics and hospitals. Nowadays, diabetic people have much more convenient pen injectors.

Interesting places to go

Out! Go outside for a walk, or with your wheelchair if you use one, where it is safe to do so. Perhaps organise a game or sport, it will make you healthier and happier!

Activity suggestions

  • Draw a plate showing a healthy balanced meal. The food can be from any cultural background.
  • Good or terrible? In groups or individually, write a list of things relating to health and wellbeing, which were worse in the past, and another of things which are worse now. Then do the same for ‘good’; list things which were better in the past, and things which are better now.
  • Write a story, choosing an era from past Lochaber, and imagine one day in your life. You can describe your home and living conditions, and what you ate and did throughout the day.

What did our partner schools do?

The pupils all took part in workshops delivered by the WHM learning team. We were also fortunate to have the expertise of retired GP Dr Chris Robinson, who has a vast knowledge of the history of medicine in the

Highlands. Dr Robinson, a Director of West Highland Museum, gave generously of his time to speak to pupils.

A box of objects was brought from the museum for the pupils to handle and observe. This included sea bean charms, a World War II first aid kit, a banana-shaped glass bottle for feeding babies, and a stethoscope provided by Dr Robinson. A stethoscope is used for a doctor to listen to people’s lungs and hearts.

Pupils took part in classroom discussions to consider the pros and cons of different times in history with regard to health and wellbeing.[/read]