Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac
Recording and preserving the history of the Back area in Lewis.
Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac
A’ clàradh agus a’ gleidheil eachdraidh sgìre a’ Bhac ann an Leòdhas.
Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac
Recording and preserving the history of the Back area in Lewis.
Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac
A’ clàradh agus a’ gleidheil eachdraidh sgìre a’ Bhac ann an Leòdhas.
Naidheachdan News
Oifigear Leasachaidh Ùr / New Development Officer
Bha a' Chomann Eachdraidh duilidh soraidh a thoirt do Jane Davidson às a dreuchd mar Oifigear Leasachaidh bho chionn ghoirid, leis gun do ghluais Jane gu obair ùr san t-Samhain. Thuirt Jane (nighean Màiri a’ Phrem) gun do chòrd e rithe gu mòr a bhith ag obair aig a’ Chomann, a’ coinneachadh ri uidhir de dhaoine anns a’ choimhearsnachd, ag ionnsachadh mu eachdraidh na sgìre, agus a bhith an sàs ann an iomadach phròiseactan is thachartasan. Bidh i gu h-àraidh ag ionndrainn buidheann na Diciadaine, a bhios a' dèanamh gach coinneamh cho càirdeil 's cho làn de thoileachas. Gu fortanach, tha Jane fhathast an sàs ann an obair a’ Chomainn mar bhall den Chomataidh, agus tha i a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith a’ toirt taic do na pròiseactan agus a’ cumail suas a’ cheangail sin. Meall do naigheachd, Jane, agus a h-uile beannachd airson an obair ùr!
A’ tòiseachadh san dreuchd mar Oifigear Leasachaidh, pàirt-ùine, tha Caitriana NicNeacail (nighean Peigi Màiri Mhurchaidh a' Stal). Tha Caitriana air tilleadh dhan sgìre às dèidh dhi a bhith ag obair thall thairis, agus tha i a’ coimhead air adhart gu mòr ri bhith ag obair ann an raon dualchais is eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac, agus ri coinneachadh ris a’ choimhearsnachd ann an iomadach dòigh.
The Comann Eachdraidh will miss Jane Davidson in her role as Development Officer, as she moved on to a new position in November. Jane (nighean Mairi a’ Phrem) reports that she thoroughly enjoyed working with the Comann, meeting so many people, learning about the area’s history, and being involved in various projects and events. She will especially miss the Wednesday group, who made each session enjoyable and full of good company. Thankfully, it is not goodbye to Jane, as she will continue her involvement with the Comann as a member of the Committee. She looks forward to supporting ongoing projects and staying connected with the work of the Comann Eachdraidh.
Taking on the Development Office role on a part-time basis is Caitriana Nicholson (nighean Peigi Mairi Mhurchaidh a’ Stal). Caitriana has recently returned to the island after working abroad, and is very much looking forward to engaging more with the heritage and history of Back and connecting with the community through this role.
Student Placement
We were delighted to welcome back Seumas Smith from Ballantrushal, who joined us again this summer through Sgeama Greis Gnìomhachais nan Oileanach. Over the past ten weeks, Seumas provided valuable support to our archive and heritage projects. We’d like to thank him for all his hard work and contribution during his time with us. Read more…
Student Placement
We were delighted to welcome back Seumas Smith from Ballantrushal, who joined us again this summer through Sgeama Greis Gnìomhachais nan Oileanach. Over the past ten weeks, Seumas provided valuable support to our archive and heritage projects. We’d like to thank him for all his hard work and contribution during his time with us.
Call for old video film
Do you have any old 8mm video "cine" film of Back? Thanks to a kind volunteer we are now able to digitise your film (and make it available on our Youtube channel if we can). Old reel-to-reel audio tape can also be processed. Read more…
Call for old video film
Do you have any old 8mm video "cine" film of Back? Thanks to a kind volunteer we are now able to digitise your film (and make it available on our Youtube channel if we can). Old reel-to-reel audio tape can also be processed.
For full details on how to get your film to us, contact the comann via the usual channels at the bottom of the page.
Meeting agendas
Read the most recent PDF agenda from our monthly meetings (or dip in to the archive).
News archive
Goireasan Resources
As we digitise resources — text, images, video and audio — we aim to make as much as possible of them available here.
- Back in Time Album 2023 — edited by Iain Murray this gathers together lots of interesting history (and some legends too) about Back.
- Old History and Crofting of Gress (PDF) — a booklet published by the old Comunn Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac with a lot of interesting information.
- Back: Birth of a Village — another booklet published by the old Comunn Eachdraidh, with information about the crofts in Back village.
- Tobar an Dualchais — some of the recordings from this audio archive that are from, or about the Back area.
- Small pamphlet produced to mark the opening of the commemorative cairn at Upper Coll.
- The old comunn produced occassional newsletters, full of historical snippets:
- one undated, but probably from the late 1980s.
- a second, this time from March 1986.
- a third, this one dated June 1988.
- PDF form to record aspects of the social history of the area - consider filling it in!
- PDF membership forms (becoming a member is free and helps support the work of the society): (You may find it easier to sign up as a member using our online form.)
- Feasibility study looking at the options to create a permanent home for the comann.
- Feasibility study looking at the options to create a permanent home for the comann.
Gailearaidh Dheilbh Photo gallery
Some pictures from Comann events are in the gallery below.
The audience at the inaugural lecture (18/01/19)
The audience at the inaugural lecture (18/01/19)
At the inaugural lecture (18/01/19)
At the inaugural lecture (18/01/19)
At the inaugural lecture (18/01/19)
At the inaugural lecture (18/01/19)
Bill Lawson at the launch of his latest book, Vatisker Croft History (11/12/18)
At the Vatisker Croft History book launch (11/12/18)
At the Vatisker Croft History book launch (11/12/18)
Mu ar deidhinn About us
Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a’ Bhac (Back Historical Society) SCIO is a voluntary, non-profit organisation set up to preserve and share all aspects of the history, culture and traditions of the Back area, in the Isle of Lewis.
The Comann meets monthly to discuss projects and also organises local lectures and events in Gaelic and English.
We are a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), and our charity number is SC049033. Our constitution may be read here (PDF).
Consider becoming a member -- it is free, and helps support our work.
Current office-bearers (2025)
- Chair: Angus Maclennan*
- Vice chairs: Kenneth A Maciver* / Stewart Macleod*
- Treasurer: Angela MacIver*
- Secretary: Donald I Macdonald*
Current committee members (2025/26)
- Kathryn Graham*
- Mary Ann Graham*
- Anne MacArthur*
- James MacArthur*
- Eilidh Sìne Macdonald*
- Murdo Macleod*
- Kevin Murray
- Iain Murray*
- Ian Quigley
- Anne Ramsay*
- Coinneach Smith*
- Kenny Stewart
- Margaret Stewart*
* charity trustee