Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre The Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre opened in the Elgin Hostel, Portree, in December 2009. Staff are available to do paid research on your behalf if required.

The Archive Centre is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
10:00-13:00 14:00-16:30

Local and family history resources – there is no charge for you to carry out your own research in the Archive Centre. High resolution copies of our images are available to purchase. Please contact us at [email protected] to check availability and charges. High Life Highland is a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland No. SC407011 and is a registered Scottish charity No. SC042593

We're looking for a Gaelic Archives Project Officer to join an exciting new project exploring, cataloguing and sharing G...
11/09/2026

We're looking for a Gaelic Archives Project Officer to join an exciting new project exploring, cataloguing and sharing Gaelic archive collections.

Based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre, you'll help unlock stories, voices and records that reflect the rich heritage of our communities.

Interested? We'd love to hear from you

11/09/2026

Hear the Dùdan call!

Skye has a brand new newspaper.

The Dùdan is the brainchild of designer Caitlin Ferguson of Sona Design.

The project was inspired by archive copies of The Clarion, a popular publication in Skye in the 1950s. It was edited and distributed by Alec W. Nicolson of Struan House, Bracadale.

Working in collaboration with ATLAS Arts and Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre, Caitlin has reimagined some of the articles and stories from the editions of yesteryear.

The result is an engaging, often satirical and often hard hitting selection of articles, poetry and design reflecting on what it is to live on Skye today.

The paper was launched at the Skye Gathering Hall on Thursday night with readings, refreshments and copies available for those in attendance.

Radio Skye's Jamie McDonald went along and spoke with Caitlin about her work.

📻 Tune into the Breakfast Show with Suzy on Friday morning to hear all about it.

Portnalong Weaver Ewen MacLeod shows a roll of his own tweed to Richard James, a frequent visitor to Skye from the late ...
11/09/2026

Portnalong Weaver Ewen MacLeod shows a roll of his own tweed to Richard James, a frequent visitor to Skye from the late 1960s through to the 1980s.
This photograph is from a collection of high quality Agfachrome slides by semi-professional photographer Olivia James who came to Skye between 1968 and 1989 and captured many wonderful images.

10/09/2026

Learn with Lorna 262 – Agriculture and farming
Part of a series of events to share the collections of the Highland Archive Service.
This livecast is being brought to you by High Life Highland at no cost to the viewer.
High Life Highland is a charity registered in Scotland.
This event does not require any payment or subscription but we welcome donations.
To donate please visit https://shop.highlifehighland.com/products/archives-choose-your-donation
All previous episodes can be seen at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyxasYGi8kIcL7OThf1QGsHAMACY_1DGE&si=1u6WUF-hBjP7iV1H

Margaret Macpherson was well known throughout the Highlands and Island as a Crofter, Politician, Author Peace Activist a...
10/09/2026

Margaret Macpherson was well known throughout the Highlands and Island as a Crofter, Politician, Author Peace Activist and a Chieftain of Skye Camanachd.
As well as all this she was a much-loved wife and mother, who left behind the city life to marry crofter Duncan Macpherson and set up home in Kraiknish on the Isle of Skye.
While her own children were small, Margaret sent wool to T M Hunters Woollen Mill, in Brora and they sent her Macpherson tartan, this she made into kilts for her children.
William, Neil, Alasdair, Lachlan playing on a ladder, May 1940

Did you come up to the Skye Woollen Mill in Portree to buy your jumpers? Or did you buy the wool and knit your own? We ...
09/09/2026

Did you come up to the Skye Woollen Mill in Portree to buy your jumpers?
Or did you buy the wool and knit your own?
We have a lovely collection of items that we were given just before the mill closed

Staff at the Portree Wool Mill, c.1922.
08/09/2026

Staff at the Portree Wool Mill, c.1922.

This is a great photograph of two unidentified gentlemen with the pony and cart, carting wool down to Uig Pier for onwar...
07/09/2026

This is a great photograph of two unidentified gentlemen with the pony and cart, carting wool down to Uig Pier for onward transport by boat

‘Landing Sheep, Aird Ferry’, with the ruins of Eilean Donan Castle in the background and the dog in charge of the herd. ...
05/09/2026

‘Landing Sheep, Aird Ferry’, with the ruins of Eilean Donan Castle in the background and the dog in charge of the herd. It must’ve made for an interesting crossing

From our Hilleary Collection, titled ‘Sheep for the Mainland’, Portree, 1928. This photograph gives us a great view dow...
04/09/2026

From our Hilleary Collection, titled ‘Sheep for the Mainland’, Portree, 1928.
This photograph gives us a great view down to the pier, I love the wee boy leaning against the shop, watching all the excitement. With the rails to protect the large windows from accidental damage by people or animals as they make their way down to the boats

Address

Elgin Hostel, Dunvegan Road
Portree
IV519EE

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 1pm
2pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 1pm
2pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 10am - 1pm
2pm - 4:30pm
Friday 10am - 1pm
2pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441478614078

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre:

Shortcuts

Share