Heritage North
Share page on FacebookMarch 2007 Heritage Feature: Giant Macaskill Museum
| Any trip to Dunvegan is not complete without visiting the Giant Macaskill Museum on the Isle of Skye. Ask any resident on the island what to see and the museum will usually be in the top three things mentioned. It’s presence on the island is undoubtedly a huge asset as it draws tourists from all over, not just the eager Canadians who have adopted Angus Macaskill as heartedly, if not more so, as the Islanders of Skye. |
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| A history of Giant Macaskill is not necessary, the internet has been more than generous and a plethora of information exists about the giant both in his native Outer Hebrides and in Cape Breton. For those not yet familiar with the amazing story of the 7 foot 9 inches giant, the tallest non-pathological human in the world, have a look at the memorial plaque below and also click on the links at the foot of the page. |
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| In the village of Dunvegan is the Giant Angus MacAskill Museum, housed in a thatched, whitewashed cottage, which relates the life story of the tallest ever Scotsman, Angus MacAskill, who grew to 7 ft and 9 ins tall. He was born and grew up in Borve, Berneray and emigrated to Novia Scotia and toured the United States with the midget General Tom Thumb, who is said to have danced on his outstretched hand. According to the Travel Scotland website, "...more interesting than the museum, though, are the stories of its owner, Peter MacAskill, in particular the one about the replica coffin, which is worth the admission fee alone." Peter is a descendent of Angus and also runs the museum at Colbost. The Museum opened in June 1989 after twenty years of planning. “It all started from a leaflet I was given from the Gaelic cottage on the subject and it quickly turned into an obsession” said Peter. |
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| The Museum itself holds several fascinating artifacts all larger than life. The scale model of the Giant and his touring partner, Tom Thumb, is a great way to experience at first hand the height of the man. There is also an enormous chair that children are allowed to sit on – if they can get up that high! The bed in the corner is home to a giant pair of stockings and around it are several antiques to explore. Perhaps the most unique artifact that draws gasps from the tourists is the replica size coffin that Giant Macaskill was buried in after succumbing to brain fever. This was made locally and is one of the most unusual items in the museum. The most impressive part however is the level of interaction that is offered by the owner. Children are encouraged to have a seat on the giant chair and try on his sweater. |
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The most often asked question, according to the owner, is whether the giant was married or not. In fact, Peter recalls a time when a bus tour of thirty ladies left him with a red face after asking some “very personal questions” about his ancestor. Further afield, in Canada, The Cape Breton MacAskill museum contains artifacts that once belonged to the giant who lived in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in the 1800s. The relationship between the museums could not be stronger. Peter’s wife, Anne, is in regular contact with the owners of the Cape Breton Museum. In 1988 Peter and Anne went to Englishtown to visit the giant’s adopted homeland and stayed three weeks. “Unfortunately the place was dry, which I think Anne was very happy about, although you could get a drink in the house”, said Peter. |
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This museum (operated by "The Giant MacAskill Heirs Association”) contains many items that once belonged to him, including clothes, bed, chair and walking sticks. There are also many other artifacts from the area in the 1800s to be found at this museum. |
