The archive is a public facility that holds a large collection of historical material relating to the Parishes of Kildonan and Loth, as well as other neighboring districts and some overseas records.  The Timespan Archive will collect, preserve and promote the areas records and provide an educational resource that informs and inspires visitors to the area and its local community.

This spacious and welcoming facility has a public computer with internet access at a small charge.  The archive can be used by visitors to the museum who wish to learn more about the displays. The walls are lined with information folders covering a wide range of subjects including Clearances and Emigration, Folklore, Kildonan Gold Rush, Sea and River Fishing, Helmsdale Village and much more.  The comprehensive library collection is accessible to all visitors and loans can be made on special request.  It has graveyard records and information on the archaeology of the area.

A genealogical enquiry service is available and copies of census and old parish records can be browsed in the archive.  Please visit our genealogy pages for further information.

The digital archive contains thousands of old archival images including class photographs, people and places, streets and shops, fishing and crofting, soldiers and seamen etc.  It also has a collection of old maps of the area from the 1770s onwards.  A place name survey of the townships in the Strath of Kildonan can be viewed on Google Earth.

A display of military objects, medals and documents adorns the glass cabinet that can be viewed from the corridor outside the archive room.

The archive is staffed on a part-time basis and regularly on Tuesday afternoons from 2-5pm, where the public can obtain assistance with enquiries.

Highlight from the Archive

Highland Heroes of the Land Reform Movement
By Joseph MacLeod 1917

The Highland Land League Movement was initiated by crofters and their sons who believed in Land Reform and rights of tenure over the land they had farmed for generations.  This book was written by Joseph MacLeod, a land reformer from Gartymore, who, along with other local men from the area initiated the Sutherland Association, the Parent of the Highland Land League.  The Association was keen to secure Crofter candidate for Parliament and Mr Angus Sutherland was decided upon.  He stood for election in 1885 and was defeated, but instead of being downcast, they organised a rousing reception, escorting him through Helmsdale in torchlight precession.  In 1886, Mr Angus Sutherland returned by a majority of no less than 880 votes.  Joseph Macleod later went to Edinburgh where he became President of the Edinburgh Sutherland Association and then to Inverness to work for the Burgh Council.