Comunn Eachdraidh Nis (English: Ness Historical Society) is our local museum, archive and tearoom with a variety of in-depth and informative exhibitions. An experience in the Comunn Eachdraidh Nis is truly bilingual, with panel content explained in both English and Scottish Gaelic. Gaelic is also spoken freely between staff members, volunteers and customers.
Photo credit: Fiona Rennie, Sradag Creative
Housed within an impressive, newly-renovated facility, permanent interpretation in the free-to-visit museum details a variety of subjects, including local businesses, crofting, fishing, weaving, schools, and World War I impact. The archive, visitable by appointment, has been maintained and compiled for over 40 years by locals and a dedicated group of volunteers.
Photo credit: Comunn Eachdraidh Nis
The café, which has also been recently renovated and hosts portraits donated by local families, offers a variety of fresh, local produce on its menu. This includes bread from Blackhouse Bakery and eggs from Air an Lot, which supports local businesses and sustainability. If you are looking for a freshly prepared lunch of soup, sandwiches, paninis, or a wrap, and possibly finishing it off with irresistible home-baking, then look no further. The café is an ideal location for hosting private functions, conferences, and small wedding receptions, as well as a fantastic place to stop and have a break from touring and discovering north Lewis.
Photo credit: Comunn Eachdraidh Nis
Comunn Eachdraidh’s gift shop, also housed within the facility, sells a wide range of locally-made items from across the Isle of Lewis, including Ishga skincare, Harris Tweed merchandise and Anthony Barber artwork. Comunn Eachdraidh Nis also stock their own exclusive candle and diffuser ‘Soirée’, whose orange scent is inspired by a local story, found inside each box. Also available is an ever-increasing range of Comunn Eachdraidh Nis in-house publications on local history, as well as a wide selection of Gaelic books for both adults and children.
Comunn Eachdraidh Nis recently launched Archive Experiences, which consist of bronze, silver and gold packages. Working closely with Derek, a local tour operator from ‘Heb360’, archive tour experiences focus on in-depth historical research of your connection to the area and, dependent upon the package selected, can include a local tour, possible contact with living relatives and lunch in the café.
Photo credit: Comunn Eachdraidh Nis
Comunn Eachdraidh Nis provides a welcome pit-stop for tourists, and is also popular with local people. To support a local business, find out about our local history, and hear Gaelic spoken, look no further than Ness Historical Society.
Photo credit: Comunn Eachdraidh Nis
To find out more, visit: https://www.cenonline.org/, or find Comunn Eachdraidh Nis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NessHistorical