Doors open on 'Land fit for heroes' exhibition as milestone moment in Highland history comes under spotlight at Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre
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PRECIOUS memories drawing on archive collections come under the spotlight at an exhibition throwing light on a key moment in Highland history.
The Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre in Portree is hosting 'A land fit for heroes' to mark and celebrate the centenary of the repeopling of North Talisker.
As part of the Highland Archive Service, centre is responsible for archives relating to Skye and Lochalsh.
Drawing on various archive collections, the exhibition looks at early history of North Talisker up to the arrival of the settlers and development of the community over a 100-year period.
Catherine MacPhee, High Life Highland’s archivist at the facility, explained: “This exhibition is set to be an incredible in-depth exploration of North Talisker history.
“Families from Harris, Lewis, and some areas of Skye began arriving as part of the planned repopulation, taking possession of crofting tenancies on 68 new holdings created through the Land Resettlement Act Scotland 1919.
“This was the largest single repopulation undertaken in Scotland because of the ‘land for heroes’ initiative after the First World War. Hence, the name of the exhibition – ‘A land fit for heroes’ – is very much inspired by this fact.
“The families began arriving on the 20th of May 1923, with the last being placed on the newly created crofts by November 1924. The exhibition features audio, visual, and photographic contributions from the Minginish Centenary Project.
“100 years later, many of the first settlers’ descendants gathered at the Minginish Hall festivities to reminisce about their remarkable legacy. This exhibition will be an homage to all of these families: their descendants and their origins.
“But most of all, it will be a celebration of what life looked like for these families 100 years ago, and of how much change has occurred since the clearances.”
Steve Walsh, High Life Highland’s Chief Executive, concluded: “It is very special that High Life Highland will be exhibiting such a major point in Highland history at the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre.
“The exhibition will contain facts, but also preserve memories, which will no doubt remain in the hearts of members of the public who choose to visit.”
The new North Talisker exhibition ‘A land fit for heroes’ is open to members of the public until September 30 at the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre.
Opening times can be found on the High Life Highland website: https://www.highlifehighland.com/skye-and-lochalsh-archive-centre/
To contact the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre, please telephone 01478 614078, email skyeandlochalsh.archives@highlifehighland.com, or visit the centre in-person during its opening hours on Dunvegan Road, Portree.
