Historical Societies in the Western Isles
There are several Historical Societies in the Western Isles we have listed those with websites here.
1 North Tolsta Historical Society
North Tolsta Historical Society have amassed a wealth of heritage research. Now, we can share this archive knowledge of family, emigration, and Gaelic that was shaped by lives spent crofting, fishing, and of service in two Worlds Wars and the Merchant Navy.
2 Ness Historical Society
Ness Historical Society website offers a flavour of some of the thousands of documents, transcripts, photographs and audio-video recordings that we have within our archive.
3 West Side Historical Society
Comann Eachdraidh an Taobh Siar was constituted in 1981 and covers the geographical area from Arnol to Dalbeg on the west side of the Isle of Lewis.
4 Barvas & Brue Historical Society
Whether your roots trace back to Barvas and Brue soil or not, here you can delve into the history of this area of Lewis and its people.
5 Uig Historical Society (Facebook Page)
Fresh notes and old stories from Uig Historical Society.
6 Pairc Historical Society
The Society collects information about the villages of Lemreway, Gravir, Marvig, Cromore, Garyvard, Caversta, Kershader, Habost, Orinsay, Calbost and Steimreway.
7 Western Isles Transport Preservation Group
Dedicated to recording and preserving the rich and fascinating transport history of the Western Isles of Scotland.
8 Uig Historical Society Comann Eachdraidh Uig is the local historical society in the district of Uig, in the far south west of the Isle of Lewis.
9 Back Historical Society Comann Eachdraidh Sgire a’ Bhac is the local historical society for the Back, Gress and Coll districts in Lewis.
10 Bernera Historical Society Comann Eachdraidh Sgire Bhearnaraigh is the local historical society for the island of Great Bernera in Loch Roag, Isle of Lewis.
11 Kinloch Historical Society (Facebook page) Comunn Eachdraidh Cheann a Loch is the historical society for the villages of Keose, Laxay, Balallan, Soval, Sheildinish, Eisken and Aline.
12 North Lochs Historical Society (Facebook Page) Comunn Eachdraidh Cheann a Tuath nan Loch is the historical society for the villages of Grimshader, Ranish, Leurbost, Crossbost and Achmore.
13 South Harris Historical Society (Facebook Page) Comunn Eachdraidh Ceann a Deas na Hearadh is the historical society for the southern part of the Isle of Harris.
14 Berneray Historical Society Comunn Eachdraidh Bhearnaraigh is the historical society for the island of Berneray in the Sound of Harris, Western Isles.
15 North Uist Historical Society Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath is the historical society for the Isle of North Uist in the Western Isles of Scotland.
16 Benbecula Historical Society is the historical society for Isle of Benbecula in the Western Isles.
17 South Uist Historical Society (Facebook page) Comunn Eachdraidh Uibhist a Deas is the historical society for the Isle of South Uist.
18 Eriskay Historical Society (Facebook page) Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh is the historical society for the Isle of Eriskay, Western Isles.
19 Barra and Vatersay Historical Society is the community heritage organisation for the Isles of Barra and Vatersay at the southern end of the Western Isles archipelago.
Websites of Interest
2 Lewis Pipe Band (Facebook Page)
Stornoway is home of the Lewis Pipe Band.
3 An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway, Western Isles – a beacon for the Arts in the Highlands and Islands.
4 Visit Outer Hebrides on these pages you can find a complete guide to Hebrides tourism including accommodation, places to visit, food and drink, activities, information and events
5 Hebridean Connections
Here you will find over 40,000 records relating to the genealogy, history, traditions, culture and archaeology of the Western Isles, an island community off the west coast of Scotland.
6 Hebrides People
Emigration Database which details tens of thousands of records of families that left the islands is now available for searching and retrieval.
7 The Islands Book Trust Based on Lewis, we aim to further understanding of the history of Scottish islands in their wider Celtic and Nordic contexts.
8 Stornoway Gazette
Reporting news and events from the islands.
9 Stornoway Port Authority
The Port of Stornoway offers a range of facilities unmatched in the northwest of Scotland.
10 The Sinking of HMY Iolaire
Dedicated to the victims of the Iolaire Disaster, which occurred in the early hours of 1 January 1919.
11 Museum nan Eilean & Tasglann
The museum holds collections of objects, photographs, prints and paintings and archives illustrating the archaeology, social, domestic and economic history of the islands.
12 The Made-Up History of Stornoway
Amusing web blog by Iain Watson
13 The Sy Cove (Facebook Page)
Stornoway Characters, photos and news. Past and present.
14 Ui Church
St Columba’s (or Ui) Church is a 14th Century ruin sitting within its own Cemetery and located on a sandy isthmus near the main town of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the Scottish Outer Hebrides.
15 Stornoway Now and Then Facebook page featuring images and stories of Stornoway past and present. Private group page.
16. Kith and Kin Scottish Ancestry Genealogy service with special interest in Isle of Lewis ancestry.