Isle of Lewis Museum turns to IoT to protect history

THE Ravenspoint Centre Museum, a community landmark on the Isle of Lewis and home to the renowned Angus Macleod Archive, is harnessing Internet of Things (IoT) technology to safeguard its cultural legacy and enhance the visitor experience.

The volunteer-run attraction has partnered with CENSIS – Scotland’s innovation centre for sensing, imaging, and IoT technologies – and connectivity consultancy FarrPoint to expand its IoT system.

The new LoRaWAN network monitors humidity and temperature levels, as well as visitor numbers, in its exhibit areas.

This network adds to the existing infrastructure covering the museum’s storage facility.

Monitoring and controlling humidity levels, which can cause damage or deterioration, is critical to protecting historic items.

Access to real-time data from the new system will enable the museum to track visitor numbers and identify any damage to the building, ensuring environmental conditions are within the required thresholds to protect artefacts.

The system will automate data collection, previously performed manually by volunteers. Maintaining a clear record of this information is essential for the museum to retain its accreditation from Museums Galleries Scotland, which provides access to funding, advice, and training.

The initiative is part of CENSIS’s IoT Evolve programme, funded by the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to support the development and application of IoT technologies in the region.

Opened 15 years ago, Ravenspoint Museum and the Angus Macleod Archive provide a unique perspective on Scottish history, chronicling one man’s experience of life in the Gaelic-speaking village of Calbost through documents, videos, and voice recordings.

While some of the collection has been digitised, a substantial amount is only available in hard copy.

Researchers interested in island life, crofting, and Hebridean history rely on physically inspecting the archive’s items for their work.

Donnie Morrison, chairman of the Pairc Historical Society, which runs the museum, said: “The Ravenspoint Centre Museum and the Angus Macleod Archive are testament to our community’s commitment to preserving its heritage.

“With the technology we have installed, we can better protect the artifacts and ensure they are kept in the best shape possible for generations to learn from and enjoy.

“The Angus Macleod Archive provides a unique perspective on Scottish history and consistently attracts a lot of visitors and researchers.

“From this summer, we are expecting a surge of tourists due to the new deep water port in Stornoway, which is attracting more cruise ships.

“The people-counting technology will be a valuable asset during this time, supporting our continued accreditation and giving us a more accurate gauge of the museum’s popularity.”

Building on the success of the technology in the museum, the Ravenspoint Centre is considering deploying the same visitor tracking sensors in the onsite café.

This could provide an indication of resource availability and inform decisions about rotas and opening times.

Ally Longmuir, business development manager at CENSIS, added, “This project shows that no matter where you are based, you can take advantage of the benefits that IoT technologies offer.

“With access to live and historic data, the Pairc Historical Society will be in a better position to protect the Isle of Lewis’s, and Scotland’s, heritage; make better informed decisions about managing the museum and archive; and better cater to visitors’ needs.

“It was a pleasure to collaborate with the Pairc Historical Society and FarrPoint, and play a small role in safeguarding the legacy of Scotland’s rich history.”

Dr Andrew Muir, chief executive of FarrPoint, added: “With so many IoT initiatives running in big cities, it is very rewarding to help a remote Scottish museum lead the way in IoT adoption for a change.

“With further funding from CENSIS, this trial is now a proven IoT project, demonstrating it’s not just Ravenspoint museum that could benefit from this technology.

“I’m sure many other museums still performing these humidity and temperature checks manually should get in touch with the project team.

“There are so many important outcomes from this project to be shared.”