In reply to colinakmc:
I remember going round his collection when the weather was siling down. I had him as a guide, a long time ago, when my parents in law had a place between Fort William and Spean Bridge (1st home, not a 2nd). I had no-one to go with, and he taught me an awful lot.
I assume that the number of items has increased since that time, and it was pretty interesting back then, with things like the cable from the Eiger north face rescue, home made ice-axes etc.