[6][7] It was later expanded and used as a shooting lodge, and later a summer house by the Earls of Dalhousie, before falling into disuse.

[7] The museum's artefacts are arranged thematically into rooms, including spaces covering music and costume.

[8] The museum has a small collection of musical instruments, highlights of which include a trapezoidal Savart-style violin that was played for many years on the streets of Aberdeen by an itinerant musician, and a coach horn known to have been used locally as late as the 1930s on one of the last horse-drawn stagecoaches operating in the United Kingdom.

The Retreat also has conference facilities, a function room, a nature trail and a children's play area.

Regular craft workshops are run on-site, along with other events which have included music recitals and storytelling.