THE MUSEUM

When it was built, this amazing Grade A listed building was the largest motor car factory in the world. Its marble and sandstone façade, reminiscent of an Edwardian town hall or railway station, is just part of a factory that originally covered 11 acres. After a six-million-pound restoration, the building now houses the Motoring Heritage Centre and 24 factory-outlet shops.

The Motoring Heritage Centre is owned by the Scottish Motor Museum Trust, run by a dedicated group of unpaid volunteers, and financed by admissions, donations and grant aid. It is graded by the Scottish Tourist Board as a ‘commended’ visitor attraction and chosen by Top Gear magazine as one of the top 50 Transport Museums in Britain.

When you visit the Centre, you will be enthralled by the story of Scotland’s motoring history, illustrated with fascinating cars, dioramas, archive film, interpretation panels and automobilia. Scottish-built cars including Argylls are on display, and you can even sit in our 1925 Model T Ford.

Sir David Steel (Speaker of the Scottish Parliament) narrates the story of our building, and Scottish motor-sport heroes are to be seen on our giant video-walls. Further videos show historic film of our cars in action.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, this plant was turning out more motor cars than any other factory in Europe. However, this was short lived: in 1910 only 452 were made – half of what was needed to keep the company profitable. Many fine Argyll motor cars found their way to the more prosperous south of England.

The Museum is run by volunteers and supports various local bodies including the Dunbartonshire Festival, Loch Lomond Enterprise and the Community Service Scheme. Volunteers are always required: do contact us if you can help