HIE invests £850,000 in Hebrides People Visitor Centre redevelopment in Harris

The project will transform the centre, strengthening its role as a key cultural and visitor destination in the Outer Hebrides.

Contractors are moving on site following years of planning and fundraising, with the project set to upgrade facilities, safeguard the internationally recognised genealogy archive and create new opportunities for the local community.

The full £8,254,746 funding package has been secured from four major funders: the Islands Growth Deal, the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Hebrides People has now signed a construction contract with Lewis Builders, supported by an island-based design team led by Tighean Innse Gall.

Funding package

• Islands Growth Deal – £4,340,000

• Regeneration Capital Grant Fund – £1,850,000

• The National Lottery Heritage Fund – £1,214,746

• Highlands and Islands Enterprise – £850,000

This investment will enable the transformation of the Northton centre into a modern, accessible heritage destination celebrating the people, stories, culture and genealogy of the Outer Hebrides.

Rebecca Hutton, Chair, Northton Heritage Trust, said: “Securing the complete funding package is an incredibly important milestone for Hebrides People and means that after years of planning and hard work, we can now move forward with this transformational project.

“We are enormously grateful to the Islands Growth Deal, the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Each has played a vital part in getting us to this point, and without their collective support this ambitious redevelopment simply would not be possible.

“We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our shareholders and community stakeholders, whose continued support has been instrumental in bringing this project to where it is today.

“This redevelopment is about much more than a building. It is about preserving and celebrating the stories of the people of the Outer Hebrides, creating opportunities for future generations and delivering a visitor attraction that will bring lasting cultural and economic benefits to Harris and the wider islands.”

Melanie Ward, UK Government Minister for Scotland, said: “Harris is home to some of the richest heritage anywhere in Scotland, and it’s fantastic to see this redevelopment moving forward.

“The UK government’s investment through the Islands Growth Deal is helping to unlock this vital project, working alongside our funding partners to secure a lasting future for Hebrides People and everything it does to celebrate the stories of the Outer Hebrides.”

Stephen Flynn, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, said: “I am delighted that Scottish Government has been able to support this transformative project through the Islands Growth Deal and the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. The investment will create jobs, boost tourism, and establish a vibrant cultural asset that celebrates the history and heritage of our islands.

“It is great to see that community involvement is central to the redevelopment with a focus on promoting the Gaelic language which is such an important part of island life. I look forward to seeing the progress on this project and to the local economic benefits and impacts it will achieve.”

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said: “Hebrides People offers huge potential for this unique archive of Gaelic heritage to make a real difference for locals and visitors alike. Deliver opportunities for people to get involved, to work and to learn. Supporting traditional skills, heritage careers and the wider visitor economy.

“Thanks to Good Causes funding raised by National Lottery players this redevelopment will draw visitors to the Outer Hebrides and protect and support local heritage and Gaelic culture.”

Natalie Campbell, HIE’s head of enterprise support in the Outer Hebrides, said: “Northton Heritage Trust has shown remarkable vision and determination in building on the success of its internationally recognised genealogy work to develop this project to build a world-class heritage and genealogy centre.

“By capturing and sharing the history and culture of St Kilda and the wider Outer Hebrides, the project will create a lasting legacy for communities and visitors alike. We have been delighted to work with and support the Trust over several years as this ambitious project has developed and becomes a reality.”

Funders’ support

Islands Growth Deal – £4.34 million

The Islands Growth Deal is providing £4,340,000 towards the redevelopment, representing the largest individual investment in the project and completing the funding package required for the development to proceed.

The Islands Growth Deal is a ten-year programme of investment designed to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. The Deal is jointly funded by the UK Government and Scottish Government and is being delivered in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council.  

Regeneration Capital Grant Fund – £1.85m

The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund has awarded £1,850,000 towards the redevelopment. This important investment supports the regeneration ambitions at the heart of the project, helping to create a high-quality, sustainable facility which will benefit the local community as well as visitors to Harris.  

The RCGF supports locally developed, place-based regeneration projects and is a Scottish Government fund delivered in partnership with COSLA and local authority. 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund – £1.21m

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is contributing £1,214,746 to the project, recognising the importance of preserving and sharing the unique heritage of the Outer Hebrides. The funding will help Hebrides People protect and interpret its important collections and archives, while creating new opportunities for people to discover and engage with the remarkable stories, genealogy and cultural heritage of the islands.

HIE – £850,000

HIE - have committed £850,000 to support the redevelopment project, alongside having provided an invaluable support service in the build up to the completion of the funding package. HIE’s investment recognises the projects potential to deliver lasting economic benefits, strengthening Harris as a visitor destination, and supporting local employment and businesses.  

The redevelopment will transform the existing Hebrides People Visitor Centre into a modern and accessible facility, with expanded exhibition and interpretation spaces, improved visitor amenities and enhanced facilities for research, learning and community engagement. It will provide Hebrides People with an attraction capable of welcoming visitors from around the world. 

Cllr Paul Steele, Leader, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “This is a significant investment in the future of Harris, and wider Outer Hebrides, and is the culmination of many years of commitment by Hebrides People.

“The enhancement of the Visitor Centre will protect an important part of our islands’ heritage whilst creating new opportunities for tourism, employment, learning and community engagement. We are proud to have championed this project throughout its journey, as this is exactly the type of transformational investment the Islands Growth Deal was designed to support, delivering both cultural and economic benefits for our islands.”

Next steps

The centre will close on Thursday 20^th August, with construction beginning soon after. Completion is expected in early 2028, and the redeveloped Hebrides People Visitor Centre is scheduled to open in April 2028.

A community farewell event will take place on Friday 28^th August, offering a final opportunity for everyone to come together and mark the closing of the current Hebrides People Visitor Centre before redevelopment begins.

The Co Leis Thu? genealogy service and online bookshop will continue throughout the redevelopment, supporting those tracing their roots to the Outer Hebrides.

To find out more about the work of Hebrides People, visit www.hebridespeople.com.