About Eriskay
A Bit of Background on Eriskay
The Isle of Eriskay is a small island, (3 miles by 2 miles) situated between the Isle of Barra and the Isle of South Uist which are part of the chain of islands known as the Outer Hebrides (Western Isles) of Scotland.
The Outer Hebrides have a population of approximately 23,000 and Eriskay has a population of 134 (2021)
Gaelic is still spoken naturally as a first language amongst the older generation. There was a reluctance amongst the following generations to speak Gaelic for several years, but we are pleased that our younger islanders have taken a more positive approach, mainly due to the Gaelic Medium education in schools.
Eriskay has a phenomenal amount of heritage for such a small island. The name Eriskay itself derives from an old Norse name, Eiriksey which translates as “Eric’s Isle” named after the King?Clan Chief (Eric the Red) suggesting a Viking influence.
Timeline
June 2025 - April 2026
July 2024 - May 2025
January 2023 - June 2024
This is a Job Description. Briefly describe your specific position, including details about important achievements and milestones. Make sure to include relevant skills and highlights, and don't forget to adjust the timeframe in the subtitle.
This is a Job Description. Briefly describe your specific position, including details about important achievements and milestones. Make sure to include relevant skills and highlights, and don't forget to adjust the timeframe in the subtitle.
This is a Job Description. Briefly describe your specific position, including details about important achievements and milestones. Make sure to include relevant skills and highlights, and don't forget to adjust the timeframe in the subtitle.
The Formation of Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
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Here at Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh, we are driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the islands a better place for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh was one the last Comann Eachdraidh (Historical Societies) to form in the Outer Hebrides as all other islands in the chain were already up and running, some forming as early as the 1970’s.
A group of islanders met in 2009 to discuss the option of starting a Comann Eachdraidh for the island as Eriskay is so alive with heritage and culture and there was a great danger this valuable information would be lost.
As a result, a constituted group was formed on 17th March 2010.
The islanders were so enthusiastic about a constituted body preserving our heritage that they donated photographs, artefacts and more importantly their stories, customs and traditions to the Comann Eachdraidh to a point that we had gathered a large amount of local information. This however meant that it was increasingly difficult to store and archive the information without a base, therefore, in 2017 we decided to take on the rental of the community office in the Eriskay Community Hall. By having this base we had the facilities to arrange our exhibitions much easier which have been very popular. This year (2021), we have taken on the ownership of the former Eriskay School and Schoolhouse which we plan to convert to a Heritage Centre, Tearoom and an office base for Comann Each nan Eilean – The Original Eriskay Pony Society with a view to expand in consultation with the community of Eriskay.