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Home > Archives > Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Elgin Hostel
Dunvegan Road
Portree
IV51 9EE
01478 614078
skyeandlochalsh.archives@highlifehighland.com
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Welcome to Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Located in Portree, the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre collects, preserves, and provides access to historical records relating to Skye and Lochalsh. 

Our archive collections span from the 17th century to the present day and are strongest from the mid 19th century. We also care for an extensive collection of local photographs, some of which are available to purchase. You can view a selection on the Am Baile website. 

To get a feel for what collections we hold in advance of your visit you can explore the archives held at the centre or browse our online catalogue.

Visiting us 

Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00–1:00pm and 2:00pm-5:00pm. Closed Wednesday. 

You’re welcome to drop in anytime, but if you’d like to make the most of your visit, you can pre-book a time and request specific documents in advance.

For details on how to book and what to expect on arrival, please see our visitor information page.

More information

Visitor information

Visitor information

All the information you need to plan your visit to Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

A collection of historical handwritten documents arranged on a white background. The centerpiece is an open ledger with neatly ruled columns and cursive entries, listing names and details. Surrounding it are several smaller papers and booklets, including one with a marbled cover labeled “Stock Book.” Other sheets feature dense cursive writing, indicating correspondence or records. The documents appear aged, with yellowed paper and ink in varying shades of brown.

Archives held at the centre

Discover historical records held at Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Illustrated comic-style image showing a character reclining outdoors on grassy terrain with mountains in the background. The character is wearing black boots and blue trousers, holding a glass in one hand and a bottle labeled “DEW OF DRAMBEG 100%” in the other. At the top, large red text reads “ANGUS OG” with smaller text underneath saying “by EWEN BAIN.”

Featured collection: The Ewen Bain Angus Og Collection

A screenshot of a website homepage for ‘CalmView’, a archival online collections database. The background features a collage of Highland Archie Service's archive centre buildings. In the centre of the foreground, a search box titled ‘Find a record’ indicates that this is a link to an searchable online archive catalogue.

Online catalogue

Discover the rich history of the Highlands through our online catalogue

A man with dark hair sits at a desk with three laptops, a desktop monitor displaying the Scotland's People website, a printer, and various office supplies. Shelves with files and papers are in the background, and a large chart with handwritten notes is pinned to the wall.

Can’t visit? We can help

Expert archival and family history research carried out for you by the Highland Archive Service

A close-up, slightly angled photograph of a printed family tree chart. The image shows connected boxes containing names, birth dates, and death dates. Visible entries include “John Trotter Ramage,” with dates “b. 8 Sep 1844 Wesruther” and “d. 23 Nov 1928 Denholm, shepherd,” and “Elizabeth Elliot,” with dates “b. 23 Nov 1852 Southdean” and “d. 5 Dec 1932 Crailing.” Lines link these individuals to others whose names and details appear partially out of focus. The overall document is printed in black text on white paper.

Family history at Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Highland Archive Service is here to help you research your family history

Two people sit at a desk across from an archivist who is working on a computer with dual monitors. The desk is covered with papers, folders, and printed documents, including a booklet with a crest on the cover. Behind the desk are bookshelves filled with books, and a large wall chart is partially visible.

One-to-one consultations and family trees

Get expert guidance on family history research, a personal consultation, or a fully researched family tree

Portrait photograph of three herring gutters c.1890 , taken by Johnston Photographers Wick. This photograph illustrates how the gutters would wrap their fingers in strips cut from flour sacks to protect them from cuts .

Online exhibitions

Explore Highland Archive Service's online exhibitions

A black-and-white photograph of a rural landscape featuring traditional stone cottages with thatched roofs, surrounded by low stone walls and dense vegetation. A dirt path leads toward the foreground cottage, which has a sloping roof and chimney. In the middle ground, additional cottages are visible among trees and open fields. The background shows a large, gently sloping mountain under a clear sky. The overall scene conveys a historic crofting settlement in a countryside setting.

Am Baile

Explore the Scottish Highlands and Islands through photographs, illustrations, maps, documents, audio and video

A light bright room with people looking at white tables covered with displays of historic documents.

Learning and outreach

Learning and outreach activities and opportunities from the Highland Archive Service

Our Blog

Stories from the archives - Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Blogs from Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

Read our blog
A sepia-toned photograph showing three people sitting outdoors on a stone structure in a garden. Two children are seated on the steps, and an adult is sitting beside them on the ground. Behind them is a large building with arched doorways and decorative architectural details, partially obscured by trees and tall flowering plants. A bare tree trunk stands prominently in the center of the image, adding contrast to the lush vegetation surrounding it. The overall scene suggests an early 20th-century setting in a landscaped garden.

Explore our
online shop

Visit our online shop to explore the products and services available from Highland Archive Service

Donate to Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre

The Archive Service preserves, conserves and makes accessible over 700 years of Highland history. There is no charge to visit our Archive Centres and access the collections we hold, but High Life Highland is a charity and we rely on your donations.

Opening times

  • mon
    10:00 - 13:00 14:00 - 16:30
  • tue
    10:00 - 13:00 14:00 - 16:30
  • wed
    Closed
  • thu
    10:00 - 13:00 14:00 - 16:30
  • fri
    10:00 - 13:00 14:00 - 16:30
  • sat
    Closed
  • sun
    Closed
Elgin Hostel, Dunvegan Road, Portree, IV51 9EE

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