The location that inspired Whisky Galore and the site of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s first Scottish landfall, the Isle of Eriskay has an incredibly rich and eclectic history. Affectionately known as ‘Eilean h- Òige’ (the isle of youth), Eriskay was only first populated after the Highland Clearances and has a relatively short history of inhabitants, but a history that could rival any of its neighbours.
Comann Eachdraidh Èirisgeidh (Eriskay Historical Society, CEE) was formed in 2010 by, and with help from, members of the Eriskay community to “identify, collect, preserve and display documents, artefacts, photographs, genealogy and other materials of historical value to both the Eriskay community and visitors”. In 2019, CEE were granted funding to purchase the former school building which was vacated in 2014. As one of only two civic buildings for a large part of the island’s history as with the church, the building has been a consistent backdrop to community
life. It hosted not only kids in classrooms but everything from weddings to ceilidhs. Today, the building is deteriorating. It hosts little more than memories and is a ghostly presence in its setting. However, with its distinctive
sculptural form, its position on the island, and the significance of its history, it merits its place as the protagonist of any future development.
life. It hosted not only kids in classrooms but everything from weddings to ceilidhs. Today, the building is deteriorating. It hosts little more than memories and is a ghostly presence in its setting. However, with its distinctive
sculptural form, its position on the island, and the significance of its history, it merits its place as the protagonist of any future development.
View from private road to St.
Michael’s Church showing the wellbeing
suites before the prominent gables of the
existing school
Michael’s Church showing the wellbeing
suites before the prominent gables of the
existing school
This Ionad Eilean h-Óige (Centre of the Isle of Youth) development, refined in collaboration with the client, the local community, and professional consultants, proposes to:
- Reinvigorate the former school site for community use.
- Ensure any proposals are economically self-sustainable and ecologically sensitive.
- Provide high quality display, storage and research areas for the Comann Eachdraidh as well as space for local
community groups and businesses.
- Provide new spaces for community engagement without competing with local businesses.
- Ensure any proposals are economically self-sustainable and ecologically sensitive.
- Provide high quality display, storage and research areas for the Comann Eachdraidh as well as space for local
community groups and businesses.
- Provide new spaces for community engagement without competing with local businesses.
The primary objective is the conservation and redevelopment of the existing school, upgrading it to meet the needs of the 21st century. The existing school is proposed to house the key museum spaces for the Comann Eachdraidh, displaying the rich history of the island and its people within spaces many of its visitors will hold memories of.
The North-South extension
to the rear extends out to form the main
entrance.
