Home » Special collections

Highland Libraries Special Collections represent the unique collections of notable people, the rich culture and history of the Highlands, its places and traditions. Please find below links to some of our special collections held by Highland Libraries. We are working to bring all special collections to the online catalogue in the near future.

Inverness Reference Library

Charles Fraser-Mackintosh Collection

Find out more about Charles Fraser Mackintosh on Am Baile Highland History website.

‘Meet the Books’!

This project explores the Fraser Mackintosh Collection of rare books at Inverness Library. It contains c. 5000 volumes collected by Charles Fraser-Mackintosh (1828-1901). It is run jointly between High Life Highland and academics from the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Explore the ‘Meet the Books’ blog at:https://www.highlifehighland.com/meet-the-books/

The Kirk Session Library has its roots in the early 18th century when the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland established a group of libraries in the Highlands.

Dingwall Community Library

Dornoch Library

Portree Community Library

Skye & Lochalsh Archive Centre

Thurso Library

Wick Library

John Mowat’s own manuscripts also form part of the collection and these are currently in the care of North Highland Archives, also in Wick Library.


Online digitisation projects

Access a wide range of books and pamphlets about the Highlands which can be read online, and in many cases downloaded, free of charge.