Highland Libraries Special Collections represent the unique collections of notable people, the rich culture and history of the Highlands, its places and traditions.
Inverness Reference Library
Charles Fraser-Mackintosh Collection
- Charles Fraser Mackintosh card catalogue pp.1-700 (PDF 7 MB)
- Charles Fraser Mackintosh card catalogue pp.701-1403 (PDF 4 MB)
Find out more about Charles Fraser Mackintosh on Am Baile Highland History website.
‘Meet the Books’!
This project explores the Fraser Mackintosh Collection of rare books at Inverness Library. It contains c. 5000 volumes collected by Charles Fraser-Mackintosh (1828-1901). It is run jointly between High Life Highland and academics from the University of the Highlands and Islands. Explore the ‘Meet the Books’ blog at: https://www.highlifehighland.com/meet-the-books/
More special collections at Inverness Library
- Cape Breton Collection (Book exchange with Cape Breton Public Library in Nova Scotia.)
- Highland Geological Society (PDF 721 KB)
- Inverness Gaelic Society (PDF 958 KB)
- Inverness Field Club (PDF 164 KB)
- Kirk Session (PDF 1.53 MB)
The Kirk Session Library has its roots in the early 18th century when the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland established a group of libraries in the Highlands.
- Loch Ness Monster Collection (PDF 62 KB)
- Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) (PDF 528 kB)
Dingwall Community Library
- North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NOSAS) (PDF 365 KB)
Dornoch Library
- Dornoch Collection (PDF 254 kB)
Portree Community Library
- Robert Macdonald Collection (PDF 628 KB)
Skye & Lochalsh Archive Centre
- Dualchas Collection (PDF 882 kB)
Thurso Library
- Miller Collection (PDF 1MB)
Wick Library
- John Mowat Collection (PDF 1 MB)
John Mowat’s own manuscripts also form part of the collection and these are currently in the care of North Highland Archives, also in Wick Library.
Online digitisation projects
Access a wide range of books and pamphlets about the Highlands which can be read online, and in many cases downloaded, free of charge.
- Am Baile Highland History website
- Free eBooks by Project Gutenberg
- Search full text Books on Google Books
- Access historical collections on The Internet Archive
