Projects and Events
Some of our past and present activities which highlight the history of the island and engage the interest and involvement of the community.
Alison Dix, chair Comunn Eachdraidh Bheàrnaraigh, Peter Kerr, project worker, and Sue Wilson, project manager
Dùthchas
Since 2023 we have been privileged to show this hour long documentary film at the Nurse's Cottage during opening hours. Dùthchas, or Home, features previously unseen archive film of everyday life in Berneray in the 1960s and 70s, intercut with present day interviews with people from the island. The film shows repeated scenes of departure from Berneray and is an emotive exploration both of what departure means to the people who leave and the effect of their departure on the community left behind. Through its use of haunting Gaelic songs and melodies, the soundtrack is an effective, emotive accompaniment to the film.
Open Evening with talk by Peigi MacKillop
On 6 March 2024 the Society held a well attended Open Evening in the Nurse's Cottage for the community. Everyone was welcome to look round the museum and the exhibits and enjoy tea and coffee. Peigi MacKillop then gave an interesting talk about "Heritage Research", enjoyed by all present.
Book Launch and Ceilidh
The launch of Susanne Barding's book "Beàrnaraigh na Hearadh" took place on 29 September 2023. Arranged by Berneray Historical Society and the Islands Book Trust, this event saw a large audience from Berneray, Uist and beyond gathered in Berneray Community Hall to enjoy a memorable evening. Susanne Barding, attending from the Faroes, talked about the genesis of her book and her connection with Berneray. Her fascinating talk was followed by a book signing and refreshments. A traditional community ceilidh brought an excellent event to a close.
In-House Productions -details on the Bookshop page
Since 2018 a Historical Society newsletter has been produced twice each year.
2020 The Place Names of Berneray. Completely revised from the original 2008 edition.
2018 The Island of Berneray and its History by Alick Morrison. Completely revised from the original 1989 edition.
2015 Bèarnaraigh tro na Linntean / Berneray through the Ages
Book Launch
April 2013 Songs by Hector MacKinnon - the Berneray Bard
This well-attended event took place in the Community Hall. It was jointly organised by Acair, the Gaelic book publisher, and Berneray Historical Society.
Book Launch Event
December 2012 saw the launch at the Nurse's Cottage of The Story of Emigration from Berneray, Harris written by Peter Kerr. This was the culmination of the Society's project, 'A' tilleadh ar n-eachdraidh dhachaigh (Bringing Our History Home). The project sought to explore the impact of emigrations from Berneray by establishing who went where, when, how and why. It discovered aspects of Berneray’s Gaelic island culture that the emigrants took with them and which have been maintained in their new lands by their descendants. The project also included a conference held in the Community Hall in August.
The Gaelic version of the book is available online as a free download.
A' tilleadh ar n-eachdraidh dhachaigh was part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community LEADER Innse Gall 2007-2013 programme.
Since 2023 we have been privileged to show this hour long documentary film at the Nurse's Cottage during opening hours. Dùthchas, or Home, features previously unseen archive film of everyday life in Berneray in the 1960s and 70s, intercut with present day interviews with people from the island. The film shows repeated scenes of departure from Berneray and is an emotive exploration both of what departure means to the people who leave and the effect of their departure on the community left behind. Through its use of haunting Gaelic songs and melodies, the soundtrack is an effective, emotive accompaniment to the film.
Open Evening with talk by Peigi MacKillop
On 6 March 2024 the Society held a well attended Open Evening in the Nurse's Cottage for the community. Everyone was welcome to look round the museum and the exhibits and enjoy tea and coffee. Peigi MacKillop then gave an interesting talk about "Heritage Research", enjoyed by all present.
Book Launch and Ceilidh
The launch of Susanne Barding's book "Beàrnaraigh na Hearadh" took place on 29 September 2023. Arranged by Berneray Historical Society and the Islands Book Trust, this event saw a large audience from Berneray, Uist and beyond gathered in Berneray Community Hall to enjoy a memorable evening. Susanne Barding, attending from the Faroes, talked about the genesis of her book and her connection with Berneray. Her fascinating talk was followed by a book signing and refreshments. A traditional community ceilidh brought an excellent event to a close.
In-House Productions -details on the Bookshop page
Since 2018 a Historical Society newsletter has been produced twice each year.
2020 The Place Names of Berneray. Completely revised from the original 2008 edition.
2018 The Island of Berneray and its History by Alick Morrison. Completely revised from the original 1989 edition.
2015 Bèarnaraigh tro na Linntean / Berneray through the Ages
Book Launch
April 2013 Songs by Hector MacKinnon - the Berneray Bard
This well-attended event took place in the Community Hall. It was jointly organised by Acair, the Gaelic book publisher, and Berneray Historical Society.
Book Launch Event
December 2012 saw the launch at the Nurse's Cottage of The Story of Emigration from Berneray, Harris written by Peter Kerr. This was the culmination of the Society's project, 'A' tilleadh ar n-eachdraidh dhachaigh (Bringing Our History Home). The project sought to explore the impact of emigrations from Berneray by establishing who went where, when, how and why. It discovered aspects of Berneray’s Gaelic island culture that the emigrants took with them and which have been maintained in their new lands by their descendants. The project also included a conference held in the Community Hall in August.
The Gaelic version of the book is available online as a free download.
A' tilleadh ar n-eachdraidh dhachaigh was part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community LEADER Innse Gall 2007-2013 programme.
