Shop Publications

Abandoned Buildings of the Evelix Valley

About twenty years ago there was an exhibition in the Dornoch Library which depicted the prehistory and history of the communities along the River Evelix, with a detailed mix of text, maps and illustrations. The exhibition encapsulated the extensive surveys and work of the late Jimmy Bell, founding President of the Dornoch Heritage Society, and Dr Struan Robertson. When the exhibition was dismantled it was incorporated in the archives of Historylinks and reassembled and converted into electronic data over a period of years.

In 2008 Dr Robertson and Dr Graham Park co-operated to produce a scientific account of the Evelix Valley, based mainly on the material from the original exhibition. The 'Abandoned Buildings of the Evelix Valley, SE Sutherland - symptoms of the social and economic decline of a Highland Valley' by S J T Robertson and R G Park was launched at a Heritage Society meeting on 16 April 2009. The text is supported by drawings by Struan Robertson, plans with dimensions of sites, hut circles and buildings, panoramic views based on sketches by Struan Robertson, location maps and a selection of colour photographs showing the main sites and buildings in the valley.

The Dornoch Light Railway - the story of a Highland Branch Line

Dornoch Light Railway DVD produced in 2007, approximate running time 90 minutes. The content includes: A History - running time 33 minutes - why and how the branch line was built - Memories - running time 18 minutes - recollections of those who worked and travelled on the line and From Above - running time 23 minutes - the route of the line today, from Dornoch to the Mound, shot from a microlight

The extras include 'Proud Sutherland' a short film of Sutherland in bygone days, 'The Dunrobin', the Duke of Sutherland's train now in British Columbia, and 'Historylinks Museum' and insight to our museum.

When used with a personal computer, the DVD provides access to portable document format (PDF) files, including 'The Dornoch Light Railway' the 100th Anniversary book by Barry C Turner, and a collection of photographs, maps and cuttings.

Price, including UK post and packaging, £19.95 - see listing below and printable order form.

(PAL - UK format)

In 2004 Historylinks Museum published 'A Brief History of Dornoch', with historical advice and assistance by Mike Hook, text written by Alison Munro and illustrations by Sally Wild. The publication includes a fold-out map (approximately 620 x 290 mm), marked with sites mentioned in the text. The map is a copy of a limited-edition etching by Ian Westacott and artist produced prints of the original (approximately 1500 x 700mm) are available from the Historylinks Museum.

Published by Historylinks Museum, Dornoch, December 2005 'A History of the Royal Burgh of Dornoch' by Michael Hook.

The previous histories of Dornoch, written by Hector Mackay and the Reverend Charles Bentick in the 1920s, have become the 'official' histories of Dornoch Parish. Michael Hook has not attempted to compete with either work but has borrowed extensively from both books. Where appropriate utilising modern historical research, he has endeavoured to achieve a slightly different perspective to Dornoch's history. He has focused more extensively on the 18th and 19th centuries rather than on the medieval and reformation periods which are covered comprehensively by Mackay and Bentick. Although the work concentrates on the history of the Royal Burgh of Dornoch, events elsewhere are explored and explained in terms of their impact on the town itself. There is one exception. Chapter 4 deals with the effect that the 1745 Jacobite rebellion had on Sutherland as a whole, rather than focusing solely on Dornoch.

Published 2005 'The Gentleman Usher: The Life and Times of George Dempster 1732 -1818' by John Evans.

George Dempster was one of the best known and popular Scotsman of his day. He served for 30 years as a Member of Parliament and was Laird of estates at Skibo, Sutherland and Dunnichen, Angus. He used his talents to bring prosperity and jobs to disadvantaged regions of his beloved Scotland. This work is an authoritative addition to the bibliography of Scottish history.

Cheques payable to: 'Historylinks Museum'

UK Post and packaging please add £2.50. Cheques payable to: 'Historylinks Museum'

Print version of order form

Last updated: 19 July, 2010

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