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
Seachdain na Gàidhlig
Mar phàirt de thachartasan Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2026, chaidh Sgioba na Gàidhlig air sgrìob gu Comann Eachdraidh Sgìre a' Bhac madainn an-diugh. Bha an t-àite glè thrang 's e làn a-mach air a bhus le muinntir na sgìre.
A thuilleadh air a bhith a' deasbad mu sheann dhealbhan mar as àbhaist, bhruidhinn an Sgioba ris na bha an làthair mu luach na Gàidhlig san eaconamaidh le bhith feuchainn ceisteachan no quiz beag leotha.
Bha còmhradh glè inntinneach aca às dèidh làimh 's iad a' cuimhneachadh air facail agus abairtean èibhinn a bha an cunnart a dhol à bith. Cumaibh sùil air meadhanan na Comhairle a-màireach (Là Abairt na Gàidhlig) ach an cluinn sibh beagan de na h-abairtean is seanfhaclan a th' air bilean luchd-obrach na Comhairle!
As part of the busy schedule for Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) 2026, Sgioba na Gàidhlig (CNES Gaelic Team) visited Back History Society this morning. The place was bursting at the seams with folk from the local community.
In addition to discussing old photographs as usual, the Sgioba talked to those present about the value of Gaelic in the economy by testing them with a short quiz.
This was followed by a very interesting conversation about words and expressions that are at risk of going out of use. Keep an eye on the Comhairle's media channels tomorrow (Say a Gaelic Phrase Day) as you might hear some of the expressions and idioms that CNES staff are fond of!
A’ Seinn nan Sailm / Gaelic Psalmody
Have you ever wished you could join in with the singing when a Gaelic Psalm was being sung in the traditional way, but you didn't know how? Read more…
A’ Seinn nan Sailm / Gaelic Psalmody
Have you ever wished you could join in with the singing when a Gaelic Psalm was being sung in the traditional way, but you didn't know how?
Would you like to help keep alive the tradition of Gaelic psalm singing in our community?
The second class of our Gaelic Psalm Singing takes place on Tuesday the 17—there is no need to have attended the first class though, all are welcome! Please note it will now take place in the Hut and not the portacabin.
Information on the dates of each class, and the text of the psalms, is available on the dedicated section of our website: cebac.org/salm.
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.
Sgioba Gàidhlig CNES a' cèilidh air buidheann Dhiciadain / The CNES Gaelic team visiting our Wednesday morning group (25/02/26)
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