The Isle of Skye, with its rich history, has long been home to families whose roots run deep in the rugged Highlands.
Whether you have ancestral ties to Skye through the historic MacLeod or MacDonald clans, or your family once lived in one of the island’s small crofting communities, tracing your lineage can be a fascinating journey.
I know that many people visit Skye due to family ties, and I’m often asked how to make the most of these connections. Here’s how you can start uncovering your family history on the Isle of Skye.
1. Start with Family Records
This might seem obvious, but begin your research by gathering as much information as possible from family members. There may be someone in your family who has already done some research into your family history.
Old photographs, letters, birth and marriage certificates, and even family stories can provide crucial clues. Try to collect names, dates, and places linked to your ancestors on Skye.
Start with your parents and grandparents, and make your way back. Consider creating a family tree to organise the information you collect and identify gaps that need further research. From here, you may need to start using official records to help you out.
2. Explore Online Genealogy Resources
Several online resources can help you trace your family history in Skye:
- ScotlandsPeople (www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk): This official government resource provides access to birth, marriage, and death records, census data, wills, and more.
- Ancestry (www.ancestry.com) and FindMyPast (www.findmypast.co.uk): Both offer searchable records, including Scottish census data and immigration records.
- Clan MacLeod and Clan MacDonald Societies: If you have ties to these clans, their societies often have genealogical information and member networks to assist with research.
- Scottish Archive Network (www.scan.org.uk): This online gateway provides access to historical records from across Scotland, including many relevant to Skye.
- Skye Gravestones (www.skyegravestones.co.uk): This is a great website to help with research, which you can then follow up on the ground.
3. Contact or Visit the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre
Located in Portree, the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre is a must-visit for anyone researching their family history on the island. The archive contains a treasure trove of historical documents, including:
- Census records
- Old parish registers
- Estate papers
- School records
- Maps and photographs
- Oral history recordings
Visiting in person allows you to access records that may not be available online and consult with knowledgeable staff who can help guide your search.
If you’re unable to visit, consider contacting the archive staff via email to inquire about available research services. They do offer some remote paid services.
It’s worth getting in touch before your visit to Skye so you can be prepared for what you’ll be able to explore when you arrive.
4. Explore Local Graveyards
Many of Skye’s cemeteries hold the final resting places of generations of islanders. Visiting these sites can provide valuable insights, as gravestones often record names, birth and death dates, and family relationships. Some key cemeteries to check include:
- Kilmuir Cemetery (includes the grave of Flora MacDonald)
- Sleat Churchyard
- Struan Cemetery
- Portree Cemetery
- Kilchrist Old Churchyard
If you’re unable to visit in person, some local genealogy groups and volunteers have documented gravestone inscriptions online. Websites such as FindAGrave and Gravestone Photographic Resource may have useful records, as well as Skye Gravestones, as mentioned above.
5. Discover the Impact of the Highland Clearances
Many families left Skye during the Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries, when tenants were forcibly removed from the land to make way for sheep farming.
If your ancestors emigrated from Skye, you may find records of their departure in passenger lists and emigration records, which are often available through the National Records of Scotland or online databases like Ancestry.
Check historical books and archives for personal accounts of families who left during this period. Some emigrant ships that carried Highlanders abroad have documented passenger lists that may contain details about your ancestors’ journey.
6. Connect with Local Historians and Genealogy Groups
Skye has a rich oral history tradition, and speaking with local historians or joining genealogy groups can uncover stories and connections that aren’t documented elsewhere.
Online forums and social media groups dedicated to Scottish ancestry research can also be valuable resources. Even if they are not specific to Skye, you may find them helpful.
In addition, local museums, such as the Skye Museum of Island Life, house artefacts and records that can provide insights into the daily lives of Skye’s past inhabitants. This can be an excellent insight into the sort of life your ancestors may have experienced, especially if you have no personal accounts to draw from.
Skye Food & Drink Guide
Get all of our top tips for eating out on the Isle of Skye, alongside our personal recommendations and an interactive map in our digital Isle of Skye Food & Drink Guide!
7. Walk in Your Ancestors’ Footsteps
Once you’ve gathered information about your family’s past, visiting the places they lived, worked, and worshipped can be an incredibly moving experience. Whether it’s a remote crofting village, a clan castle, or a historic church, standing where your ancestors once stood can bring history to life.
Take time to explore places like:
- Dunvegan Castle (home of the MacLeods)
- Armadale Castle (associated with Clan MacDonald)
- Boreraig and Suisnish (abandoned clearance villages)
- Anywhere specific related to your family, with permission if necessary, of course.
Tracing your family history in the Isle of Skye can be an exciting and emotional journey.
With a mix of online research, visits to local archives and cemeteries, and perhaps even a trip to the places your ancestors once called home, you can uncover a deeper connection to this breathtaking island.
Whether your search leads you to long-lost relatives or simply a deeper understanding of your roots, the experience can be very enriching.
Remember to document your discoveries, share stories with family members, and preserve your ancestors’ history for future generations, since you’ve gone to the trouble of finding out about them! Happy researching!
Sonja x
