KLHS Newsletters

The Kyleakin Local History Society was formally established in October 2010 following a well-received summer exhibition of old photographs and artefacts. This record includes early committee activity, the first public talk on the Port Napier, and efforts to gather community contributions for preserving local history.

This issue documents the early momentum of the Kyleakin Local History Society, with reports on three well-attended talks, a detailed account of the January 2011 Burns Supper, and further developments in collecting, displaying, and preserving village history. It includes a full historical summary of H.M.S. Port Napier and appeals for community memories and materials.

This issue records the Society’s growing membership, the May exhibition in the former Cameron’s shop, the successful recovery of the Kyleakin Highland Games minute book, and two personal recollections from wartime evacuees who spent their childhood in the village.

This issue marks the Society’s first anniversary, records the launch of its website and logo, reports on the Gala exhibition and archive development, and includes plans for a royal-themed exhibition and a second Burns Supper.

This issue includes a photographic feature on Kyleakin shops before 1960, updates on the Joan Wilcock collection and Ring Net Fishing talk, and ongoing efforts to build a historical archive, including transcriptions, wedding photos, and “Now and Then” views.

This issue covers the AGM, confirms committee continuity, and highlights the permanent display, growing archive, and planned winter talks. It includes a composition by the late local bard Helen MacRae and features a school photograph from the early 1970s.

Includes updates on wedding photo collections, class photo identifications, and historical notes on buildings and families. Features community memories of wartime life, a poem marking a golden wedding, and an appeal for help with archiving tasks.

Summarises the 2013 AGM, reports on recent talks, notes ongoing work on the Kyleakin archive and website, and features a historical account of the White Heather Café along with wartime memories from Polish soldier Wacek Sikorski.

Records the winter 2013–14 talks, announces a summer exhibition on Kyleakin shops, features the story of the Binnie sisters’ 1930 rescue, and includes a tribute to Ena Sikorski and poetry by Helen MacRae.

Highlights the AGM, a successful summer exhibition on Kyleakin shops, and a local WWI memorial project. Includes a history of the ferry service and stories from villagers about wartime and shopkeeping in Kyleakin.

Features local memories of a Kyleakin wedding, a royal visit by King George V in 1912, family stories, early photographs of the village, and an appeal for “Then and Now” pictures of village houses.

Focuses on the history of Eilean Bàn, lighthouse life, Gavin Maxwell’s time on the island, and the evolution of the Kyleakin lighthouse community, with Society updates and remembrances.

Covers local history from Norse and clan times to post-war fishing, with features on the Arctic Convoys, winter talks and growing up in Kyleakin.

Shares community memories, house and shop histories, archive project updates, AGM notes, and a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the newsletter.

Introduces the official Kyleakin Tartan, shares findings about the village’s name, and includes archive discoveries, early maps, ferry recollections, and AGM highlights.