Projects
Presently we are involved in the Clan Mackenzie/Seaforth Project with Clan Mackenzie, UHI, and the Royal Regiment of Scotland. This involves researching the history of the Mackenzie’s who came to Lewis in 1610 and shortly afterward established a stronghold in our locality at Loch Seaforth – and thereafter created the Seaforth Regiment.
To see projects we have already completed, please visit our Project Archive by clicking the button below.
Workforce for the Future
From January to March 2025 the Kinloch Historical Society worked with pupils from Sgoil nan Loch as part of Museums Galleries Scotland Workforce for the Future project.
This project connected museums and schools in lower Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation areas (SIMD). Pupils were supported by staff at KHS to deliver a digital resource for the museum. They also learned about the diverse job roles in the heritage sector and developed valuable employability skills.
The resource created was our Salmaidh video – a five minute documentary exploring the history of Gaelic Psalm singing and its cultural significance. Pupils not only developed a greater understanding of the heritage sector, they also gained an appreciation for an important aspect of Hebridean intangible cultural heritage. The documentary is viewable in the museum at the Community Hub, Balallan.
Clan Mackenzie / Seaforth Project
The project seeks to research, document, and highlight this important period in the area’s history and use the information to create a unique visitor attraction, in an area that is rurally isolated.
Gaelic Project
Kinloch Historical Society aims to preserve the history of the district for future generations.
The Society has embarked on a video project which tells the story of a generation which has seen more changes than any other previous generation.
Most of the videos, which will be seen over the coming months, are in the language of the people since the time of the Second World War, Gaelic.
They will tell the story of the different villages in Kinloch and people’s memories of a place that has seen considerable changes over the last 80 years.
Viewers will also hear how some travelled to many far off places as well as those whose home has always been in Kinloch.
The Kinloch of yesteryear, a repository of the district’s history, as spoken by the people of Kinloch.
This project is being undertaken with assistance from Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Other Services
- Dioghlum: We produce a bi-annual magazine - Dioghlum. This has been published continuously since 1993.
- Books: Our Society publishes books that are significant to the history, heritage & culture of the area.
- Exhibiting artifacts: The Society exhibits artifacts collected over the existence of the Historical Society, which depicts life as it was in Kinloch in the early 20th century.