The museum is housed in what was once the caretaker's cottage for the collegiate church and churchyard in Tain. It was built in the 1880s following the restoration of the collegiate church. The building opened as the town's museum in 1966 to coincide with the celebration of the 900th anniversary of the town's first charter. Tain and District Museum exists to preserve, exhibit, interpret, make accessible and augment its collection for the benefit of all sectors of society. In so doing it hopes to promote an interest in the history of Tain and the surrounding area, and provide visitors with a high quality experience. Of particular note is the collection of silver made in Tain in the 18th and 19th centuries.