Eriskay Telephone Book Update

We're currently working on an update to the Eriskay Telephone Book, an important local resource that has been helping people stay connected on the island for over 25 years.

The first two editions were compiled by Donald John and Kirsty Rodgers, with a third produced by Eric Iacopi, and the most recent update carried out by Michael Cross. Since the first edition in 1998, the Eriskay phonebook has provided a valuable directory for residents and local businesses.

With more people now relying on mobile phones and fewer households using landlines, we’re refreshing the phonebook to reflect how people stay in touch today.

If you’re happy for your mobile or landline number (or your business number) to be included in the updated edition, please let us know by emailing us.

Let’s keep our community connected!

Heritage and Community Photography Project

CEE are working in collaboration with Rob Sara from the University of Cumbria on a 2 year-long photography project titled "In Footsteps” This initiative aims to document the rich culture, history, and community life of Eriskay during the renovation of the old school into a new Heritage Centre and community hub, Ionad Eilean na h-Òige

To make this project a success, along with Rob, CEE are conducting research and gathering valuable information from the Eriskay community. Our goal is to develop the photographic work into exhibitions, workshops, and potential publications that will benefit both residents and visitors alike.

Rob Sara’s inspiration for this project comes from a deeply personal place. His father, Michael Sara, visited Eriskay in 1958 at the age of 18 and conducted a social and geographical survey that involved visiting every home on the island. Michael recorded family names, lifestyles, and cultural practices of the time, and the document has been passed down to Rob, serving as a foundation for his current work. Rob plans to connect with the descendants of the families his father documented, as well as engage with more recent residents.

www.eriskayphotographicstudy.com

Heritage on a Plate: Recipes from Eriskay

Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh is working on a new community project: Heritage on a Plate: Recipes from Eriskay - a celebration of the island’s food, stories, and traditions.

We are gathering old family recipes, traditional cooking methods, and modern favourites from anyone with a connection to Eriskay. Whether it's a handed down soup recipe, memories of baking with older family members, stories of their life, or a dish that reminds you of home, we want to hear from you.

This isn’t just a cookbook – it’s a collection of the island’s heritage told through taste, memory, and storytelling. Alongside the recipes, we’ll include anecdotes, photos, Gaelic names for ingredients, and island traditions linked to food and hospitality.

We’re especially interested in:

• Dishes passed down through generations

• Recipes connected to fishing, crofting, or festive occasions

• Baking traditions and “wee treats” made for ceilidhs and gatherings

• Modern recipes with an Eriskay twist

• Stories and photos related to food and family life on the island

If you or your family have something to share – whether it’s a full recipe, a memory of how something was made, or even a voice recording of someone describing it – we’d love to include it.

We’ll also be hosting community drop-in sessions later this year where you can bring along recipes and stories in person. Keep an eye on this page and our social media for upcoming dates.