Crofters at Faing Loch Thairbeirt in North Tolsta in 1970. Amongst those in the picture are Alasdair Smith (Gibson), Benview; Kenneth Macdonald (Coinneach Mhurchaidh Bhuidhe), 51 North Tolsta; John Macdonald (Iain Choinnich), 51 North Tolsta; and Murdo Maciver (Blastan), 67 North Tolsta.
About North Tolsta Historical Society
(Comann Eachdraidh Tholastaidh Bho Thuath)
Tolsta is a crofting township some 14 miles from Stornoway, the main town on the Isle of Lewis, part of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides, off the north west coast of Scotland.
The village has a population of approximately 400. North Tolsta can be reached from Stornoway by following the B895.
North Tolsta Historical Society is a non-profit organisation, financed by grants, donations and fund raising activities, and supported by a volunteer committee.
Set up in the early 1980s, the society was formally re-established in October 1999 after some fifteen years in abeyance. The official relaunch took place at the Tolsta Community Centre, on 2nd June, 2000. The guest speakers were Alasdair Morrison, the then Member of the Scottish Parliament, and Annie Macsween, Head of the Gaelic Department at Lews Castle College, Stornoway.
Since 2001 we have also produced Seanchas, a part historical and contemporary publication, which has been well received by locals and exiles.
Local History
The Society has been researching a number of historical projects which are of interest both locally and further afield. A number of specific areas have been researched to date such as crofting, fisheries, cemetery, bàrdachd, genealogy, sport, and education. Efforts are on-going to create a comprehensive catalogue of work across many fields and preserve local knowledge for posterity.
Key projects completed, under development or planned are:-
- A book of local bàrdachd. This has been done in the form of Clachan Crìche.
- The development of a genealogy database which includes croft histories, stories and photographs is well underway as part of our work with Hebridean Connections
- Croft history books have been published through Bill Lawson. Bill worked with the Comann Eachdraidh
- At some time in the future we will look at the possibility of re-publishing The Tolsta Townships by Donald MacDonald, the noted scholar who also wrote The History of Lewis. The North Tolsta Community Association has the rights to the manuscript and there is demand for this book to be reprinted. There is also scope for further research to update the history from the period covered in the book.
- We are also involved with the Tolsta Cemetery Trust in the process of mapping the Tolsta cemetery.
The Environment
The society intends to establish a number of walks in and around Tolsta, which would be of interest to locals and visitors from a historical, environmental and wildlife perspective.
Many will be aware that there is an existing walk from Garry Bridge to Skigersta in Ness which is one of the Western Isles Walks, but a new series of component walks from Glen Tolsta to Giordail, Giordail Beach, Tolsta Head, and the Tràigh Mhòr (Tealair to Abhainn Lìdh) would effectively establish a walk from Glen Tolsta to Ness.
These walks have stunning coastal scenery with high cliffs and stacks, caves and natural arches, a blowhole, numerous small beaches and potential picnic areas. Tolsta Head in particular has a varied plant and wildlife with many species of birds. A unique geological site in Tolsta Head has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Scottish Natural Heritage.
The markers for the walk round Tolsta Head are now in place and the Historical Society recently published a pamphlet to accompany this walk.
Facts you may not know
- Tolsta, or Tolastadh in Scots Gaelic, is a Norse word meaning Tholf’s farm
- The first recorded mention of Tolsta was in 1590 when it appeared as Tolestaff
- The village was highlighted in Martin Martin’s book, A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland (1695)
- Tolsta is comprised of three villages: North Tolsta, New Tolsta and Glen Tolsta
- The placename Tolsta is also to be found in Sweden and Canada
- Tolsta cemetery is known as St Michael’s cemetery
- 134 men from North Tolsta fought in the First World War – of these were the seven sons of a Tolsta widow
- Eleven Tolsta men lost their lives in the Iolaire disaster
- There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at Tolsta Head (Geological)
- There is an SSSI at Garry (Biological)
- There is a ‘crannag’ at Loch Osabhat
- There’s a fortified stac called Caisteil a’Mhorair at Garry
Tolsta Historical Society FAQ's
What is the North Tolsta Historical Society?
North Tolsta Historical Society is a non-profit organisation, financed by grants, donations and fund raising activities, and supported by a volunteer committee.
Can I join the North Tolsta Historical Society, and how do I do it?
Yes. Membership is free. To sign up, email us. Or write to us with your name and address to our surface mail address
I have some Tolsta-related material you may be interested in, can I send it to you?
We are always pleased to receive Tolsta-related material
My ancestors were from Tolsta/Lewis/Western Isles, how can I trace my family tree?
Contact NTHS in the first instance and we will advise you from there