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Welcome! / Faìlte!

Welcome to everyone interested in the history and culture of Scottish islands

Based in the Hebridean island of Lewis, we aim to further understanding of the history of Scottish islands in their wider Celtic and Nordic contexts through:

events including talks, visits, and conferences
publications
research and education

Fàilte air a h-uile duine aig a bheil ùidh ann an eachdraidh agus cultar eileanan na h-Alba.

Suidhichte ann an Leòdhas, tha Urras Leabhraichean nan Eilean ag amas air ar n-eòlas air eachdraidh eileanan na h-Alba, taobh a-staigh saoghal nan Ceilteach agus saoghal nan Lochlannach, a leudachadh le:

tachartasan, a’ gabhail a-steach òraidean, chuairtean agus cho-labhairtean
foillseachain
rannsachadh agus foghlam

Special Offers

St Kilda - Church...

St Kilda - Church, Visitors And 'Natives'

Described as the most thoroughly researched book ever written on St Kilda, a detailed and dispassionate account written by Michael Robson, of the history of the island using hitherto unused records.

The new book, which contains over 750 pages of text and many early photographs and illustrations, challenges many of the myths which have arisen in earlier writings.

For example, Michael Robson queries popular views about the detrimental role played by the Free Church in the 19th...

An Isle Called...

An Isle Called Hirte

A classic and vivid overview of the history and culture of St Kilda up to the time of the evacuation in 1930. Includes detailed treatment of the population and families, their homes, shielings, bothies and storehouses, domestic life, pastoral and arable farming, fowling and fishing, customs and beliefs, stories and songs, religion, education and health, and communications. 338pp hardback, including many diagrams and illustrations.

Travels in the...

Travels in the Western Hebrides from 1782 to 1790

In 1793, the Reverend Buchanan published a searchingly full and controversial account of his time spent in Harris and other parts of the Outer Hebrides, including St Kilda, as Missionary Minister. Including many first-hand descriptions of the fauna and flora, perhaps his most interesting observations are on the people, their housing, social behaviour and customs, their talents, religious and educational prospects, and their harsh experiences in making a livelihood in an unfavourable...

Expeditions to...

Expeditions to the Hebrides by George Clayton Atkinson in 1831 and 1833

Edited by David Quine, this is a lavishly illustrated and beautifully produced book including extensive extracts from the journals of the naturalist George Clayton Atkinson, covering his explorations of the Western Isles and St Kilda, and his subsequent expedition to Skye, the Shiants and Lewis. An intriguing insight into both the natural and human history of these islands at a crucial stage in their transition from traditional societies to the modern world. Including many colour...