A Visit to Creetown's Gemrock Museum Before It's Gone
The Creetown Gemrock Museum holds a special place in local folklore. For many visitors to Wigtownshire, it is a rite of passage. For me, I finally decided it was time to make that passage myself, and I wasn't disappointed.
On a Sunday afternoon, there are certainly worse ways to spend your time in Creetown.
I'd often heard stories about this place, its unique style and idiosyncrasies.
So I decided to do some 'digging' and 'mine' the museum. I am sorry my jokes appear to have hit rock bottom.
Arriving at the Gemrock Museum
As you arrive at the museum, you realise that it is built from granite, which gives it a great look and reminds me of Aberdeen, the Granite City.
The entrance and car park have a lovely feeling of 1990s adventure nostalgia, which, as a millennial, I appreciate.
Once inside, you realise that the museum is compact, full of collector's charm and split across several interesting sections: the main exhibition hall, the Professor's Study, the cave, the Prospector's Pantry and the shop.
Okay, five areas. I lost count. The beautiful, shiny stones will do that to a man.
The Main Hall
The main exhibition hall is full of wonderful and interesting gemstones, fossils, rocks and artwork.
Each cabinet has a theme, from gems from Africa, Asia and the Americas through to specific types of gemstones. For me, the Jade, Onyx and Obsidian cabinets had some amazing pieces that I am still thinking about two weeks later.
If you like shiny objects and are part magpie, this room will keep you entertained for eons.
My personal favourite part of this room was the cave bear fossil.
It is not often you can be so close to a fossil, and this fossil really gives you a sense that bears are big!
One of the many artifacts on display.
The Professor's Study
Eventually, we moved on to the Professor's Study. Inside, we were confronted with a lovely variety of leather couches that would be at home in a gentleman's club in Edinburgh and a wide range of reading materials about gems, mining and diamonds.
The room made me want to light a cigar and talk with Victorian gentlemen in top hats about their latest expeditions.
There is regularly a video shown that explains the science and history behind gemstones.
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The Cave & Workshop
Once you have had your fill pretending to be a Victorian explorer, the cave and workshop await.
The cave is a little cheesy, as it is trying to recreate a mining cave.
However, that aside, it is very good, and the fluorescent rocks in the dimly lit cave are a great sight. I had never seen rocks glow in the dark before, and it was something I could happily have spent far longer looking at.
Next to the entrance of the cave there is a workshop with windows so you can see everything that goes on in the preparation of rocks and gemstones before sale.
After visiting the depths of the mine, I was ready for some tasty scran, and the smell of cooking bacon and haggis from the Pantry was causing my tummy to rumble like an earthquake.
The Prospector's Pantry
It is clearly highly regarded locally. It was very busy with locals, and barely a table was available. The food was tasty, properly piping hot and delightfully moreish, and the staff were very friendly.
We visited on a Sunday and it was busy, but worth it.
I had a haggis roll, it was tasty and set me up ready to tackle the last part of the Gemrock Museum.
The Shop
After lunch, it is time to treat yourself at the gift shop. The gift shop has a delightful mix of jewellery, polished stones and objects of interest. From fossils to very expensive necklaces to polished stones. All of it well presented and very, very beautiful.
If you have kids, the 50p lucky dip is also worth a shout. You put a 50 pence piece down a mine shaft, and it rolls down like a minecart, I suppose. You can then pick out a lucky dip.
Each lucky dip includes a different rock.
A great way to entertain the kids and stop them pestering you for a very expensive Spinosaurus fossil.
Final Thoughts
The Gemrock Museum is closing its doors in October as the owners are retiring, so this was going to be one of my last chances to visit. It will be a real loss to the local community.
Let's hope someone swoops in and purchases it, preferably paying for the museum with uncut diamonds from a faraway land, dressed in khaki and being all mysterious about the source of the funds.
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Gemrock Museum FAQs
How do you get there?
Take the A75 from Dumfries and turn off at Creetown. Once in Creetown, follow the signposts to the museum.
Is the museum wheelchair friendly?
Yes.
How can I find out more about the museum?
You can visit the website: Gemrock Museum
Thank you for reading this article. I appreciate you taking the time to read my thoughts, especially in today's busy and hectic world.
Joseph "Home Working" Henry