Isle of Tiree

'From the moment you touch down or step ashore on Tiree you know you have arrived at a very special place. Whether it is the coast that attracts you, with its sweeping white sand beaches and views across to the mountains of Mull, or the gentle pastures, a mass of colour from May through July, you are filled with a joyful sense of space and freedom. Exploring the measureless boundary of the shore, you will attract the curiosity of basking seals as you marvel at rock pools teeming with life. The air is filled with the vigorous sound of birdsong and the roar or thrash of the breakers contrasts with the tranquil cove on the lee-side of the island where the morning catch of mackerel and lobster was brought ashore.'

Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum

The Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum was the first of the Trust's projects and it remains an attraction at the centre of the Trust's continuing commitment to develop a modern self-sustaining Hebridean community at Hynish, on the Isle of Tiree. In 1984, the old Signal Tower was restored by the Trust and turned into the Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum. This small museum records the remarkable story of the design and construction of the Skerryvore Lighthouse by Alan Stevenson (uncle of Robert Louis Stevenson). The museum, which maintains a unique piece of industrial archaeology at the centre of a living community, was opened in 1987.

Find out about ways to help the Hebridean Trust - perhaps you can contribute towards the maintenance of these historic buildings.

Upper Square, Hynish

The Hebridean Trust was offered the Signal Tower at Hynish by The Northern Lighthouse Board. In the mid 1980s this was repaired and converted into the Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum (see above) dedicated to the building of the Skerryvore lighthouse.

The reconstruction and conversion of the Lighthouse Keepers' Cottages at Upper Square, purchased in 1997 provides homes for four island families at affordable rents. These wonderful and unique buildings (listed category A) have been conserved to the highest standard which can be enjoyed by all who visit Hynish as well as those who live there. The work on Upper Square completed the award-winning work of building conservation begun at Lower Square. The renovation project began in summer 2001 with funding from Argyll and Bute Council, Historic Scotland, The National Heritage Memorial Fund and grant-making trusts.

Lower Square, Hynish

In the late 1980s the Trust was then offered the remainder of the Lower Square complex by Argyll Estates for a relatively nominal price.

The harbour, originally built to service the Skerryvore Lighthouse, has also been restored and is now used by both local and visiting fishing and pleasure boats. The harbour is complete with a freshwater flushing system, including a reservoir and aqueduct, to keep the harbour clear of sand.

The old pierhead store has been renovated and has now become the Hynish Centre providing facilities for children's holidays, business courses, university teaching courses and local functions. Restoration of a derelict cottage has created accommodation for the Warden and also the Tiree Information Office.

Various buildings, including the Old Barracks, have now been converted into accommodation for local residents. The Old Smithy and Workshops have been restored to provide accommodation for the disabled, a large studio exhibition space, along with shower and WC facilities for surfborders and sailors. Other buildings have also been converted into general storage facilities for the Hynish Centre and for the local residents.