Welcome to Stornoway Historical Society

An Archive Tour of Stornoway

Written by Willie Foulger | 19 December 2011

The next lecture in our winter series will take place on Monday 30th January 2012 at 7.00 pm in the Council Chambers, Sandwick Road. Our guest speaker is David Powell from Tasglann nan Eilean Siar.

'An Archive Tour of Stornoway' will take a journey around the town telling stories drawn from the written history preserved in archives held by its public and private bodies, businesses and individuals. David will also recall stories relating to education, commercial ventures, the poor and land ownership from the Mackenzies through to the present day. Some examples of archive material held by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar will also be on display.

An Historical Overview

The Norse domination of the Hebrides lasted from about 800 to 1266 AD. The old castle of Stornoway, whose ruins were finally demolished in 1882, was originally built around 1300 by the Nicolsons who were themselves of Norse origin.

The Name Stornoway

The name Stornoway (Scottish Gaelic-'Steornabhagh') derives from 'Sjornavagr', the Old Norse for 'steering bay'. Stornoway has been settled since at least Viking times although there is archaeological evidence of Neolithic activity in the near vicinity of the town.