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A Short History of Emigration from the Western Isles

A Short History of Emigration from the Western Isles

The Western Isles are among the most beautiful places in Scotland, but the various effects of climate, geography, and mistreatment by those in power, amongst other reasons, have meant that life here has often been difficult, and over the centuries many thousands of people have left the islands in search of a better life.

A Short Illustrated History of Rubh’ an Teampaill, Northton

A Short Illustrated History of Rubh’ an Teampaill, Northton

The shores around the chapel at Northton (called Rubh’ an Teampaill in Gaelic, meaning Headland of the Temple) are some of the earliest places we know of that people settled in the islands. In 2001, archaeologists found charred hazelnut shells deep beneath the ground that were dated to around 7,000 BC, meaning there were people […]

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Emigrant Stories

The first recorded emigrations from the islands took place in the mid-1700s. The first recorded emigrations from the islands took place in the mid-1700s in … Read more

Village Histories

These stories are excerpts taken from Bill Lawson’s Croft History books. There are now almost sixty Croft History books, all available in our shop. Many … Read more

Names of the Western Isles

It is probably only in the last two hundred years that the people of the Western Isles have used surnames. Previously, although people recognised that … Read more

Western Isles Genealogy

One of the major problems with family tracing in the Western Isles is the scarcity and poor quality of written records. The decennial census is … Read more

The People of the Western Isles

The history of modern people in the Outer Hebrides begins with the melting of the icesheets and the arrival of Mesolithic Man. The oldest site … Read more

Genealogical Services

The Hebrides People ‘Cò Leis Thu?’ genealogy service can help you trace your Western Isles ancestors. We specialise in producing family trees that show people’s … Read more

Oral Tradition

Oral tradition includes song, story, and preservation of family relationships. Written records are generally late and of variable quality in the Western Isles compared to … Read more

Name Standardisation

In using any written sources, it is essential to bear in mind that the people of the islands were overwhelmingly Gaelic speaking. These records were … Read more

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