Berneray Historical Society : Comunn Eachdraidh Bhearnaraigh

Background

Berneray Historical Society was re-formed on 27th November 2003. It aims to:

promote an interest in the history of Berneray and the nearby islands, and the northern part of North Uist.
collect, identify and preserve documents, artefacts and photographs and other materials of historical value to the community and visitors.

Achievements

In our first year of operation, we created a display in our visitor centre, located in the old Nurse's Cottage. For 2005, the display was extended to incorporate themes including:

Ancient monuments
Crofting
Fishing history
The Endeavour
Nurses and nursing
Community Hall development

Further displays followed in successive years.

We have produced a detailed guidebook, containing a map of Berneray and descriptions of over 40 places of interest on the island. We also administer fishing rights on Loch Bhrusda. Fishing permits are available from Ardmaree stores.

Project worker

Dileab Bhearnaraigh, meaning Berneray's Inheritance, is the Gaelic name for our project, which aims to source, organise and digitise a wealth of material relating to the island's history.

We have secured funding from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund to employ a project worker, Sue Wilson, on a full-time two-year fixed-term contract to carry out this work on behalf of the Comunn Eachdraigh (Historical Society).

Committee and meetings

We meet roughly every two months in the Nurse's Cottage, and are bound by a constitution. We receive a small per capita grant from the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and raise money by holding events in the Community Hall and by selling copies of the guide book.

Membership

Membership of the society is open to all who have an interest, on payment of an annual subscription of £5 (Membership renewal date is the 27th November). As of April 2005, the society had 16 members from Berneray. However, membership is open to anyone, not just Berneray residents; members with ancestoral connections with Berneray are particularly welcome.