18 March 2026

Hebrides People Visitor Centre, Isle of Harris

Hebrides People is a unique genealogy resource covering the Western Isles of Scotland. Hebrides People Visitor Centre tells the history of the people and landscapes of Harris and the Western Isles. The genealogy resource at Hebrides People, known as ‘Cò Leis Thu?’, is based on over 60 years of research by Bill Lawson, widely recognised as an authority on Western Isles genealogy.

Bill Lawson founded ‘Cò Leis Thu?’ with his wife Chris in 1988, and opened Seallam! Visitor Centre (now Hebrides People Visitor Centre) in 2000. Hebrides People is now run by the Northton Heritage Trust, a Community Benefit Society and a registered Scottish charity.

Our History

The early years

When Bill Lawson began to collect information of the families of the Outer Hebrides he was faced with the challenge of how to preserve the information he was gathering. There was also the problem of differentiating between the large numbers of persons of the same name. His solution was to begin a saturation coverage of all the families of the Islands, and to record them in family chart form.

Today

Hebrides People is a purpose-built visitor centre with exhibitions and a gift shop. It houses the archive, and employs three people.

The future

An exciting future is planned. Following a recent successful Scottish Land Fund application, the community will purchase the land and buildings around the current Visitor Centre and the Old Schoolhouse where Bill lives, adding new exhibitions and a much needed café.

Book your tickets today here

For more information check out our Website here

Location: Hebrides People Visitor Centre, An Taobh Tuath (Northton), Isle of Harris, HS3 3JA

Redevelopment Under Way

The Hebrides People Visitor Centre in Northton is now closed while a major £8.25m redevelopment transforms the site into a modern, expanded heritage destination celebrating the people, stories, and culture of the Outer Hebrides and St Kilda. The upgraded Centre will reopen in spring 2028, with new exhibition spaces, improved visitor facilities, and enhanced areas for research, learning, and community engagement.

Although the building is temporarily closed, our services continue:

Genealogy Research Service (Co Leis Thu?) Our internationally recognised genealogy service remains fully operational, supporting visitors and researchers tracing their Hebridean roots.
Online Shop Books, maps, and resources from our collection are available through our online shop, with orders dispatched as normal.