A major new community archive project has been launched in Inverness to celebrate the life and work of 19th century figure Charles Fraser Mackintosh, whose influence helped shape the modern townscape of the city.
The Invernessiana project, led by UHI Inverness and unveiled on 16th of February 2026, will digitise and conserve 100 items from Fraser Mackintosh’s archive and host workshops and public events throughout the spring and summer.
The initiative marks the 150 year anniversary of his publication Invernessiana, which explored the history of the town and parish of Inverness from 1160 to 1599.
Fraser Mackintosh, who lived from 1828 to 1901, served as a lawyer, property developer and parliamentarian and played a role in shaping parts of the city, including Union Street.
He was also a dedicated antiquarian whose collection of more than 5,000 books, pamphlets and printed items is now housed at Inverness Library.
The project brings together UHI Inverness, UHI North West and Hebrides, Robert Gordon University and High Life Highland, with funding support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Bòrd na Gàidhlig Gaelic Plans Fund, Inverness City Heritage Trust funded by Historic Environment Scotland, and the Inverness Common Good Fund.
A volunteer group will be established to work within Inverness Library to digitise photographs and archive items and help conserve rare materials.
Volunteers will collaborate with researchers to build a digital resource exploring Fraser Mackintosh’s impact on Inverness, with particular focus on Union Street, Gaelic interests and land reform.
Workshops, exhibitions and public events will take place at Inverness Library and other High Life Highland venues after Easter, with school engagement activities planned in June involving pupils from Inverness Royal Academy.
Project lead Mel Manwaring McKay, a research development facilitator at the Centre for Living Sustainability at UHI Inverness, said:
“We are so excited to be working with so many enthusiastic partners and with our local community to share the rich resource of the Fraser Mackintosh collection and tell some fascinating stories from 19th century Inverness and the Highlands.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in the history of Inverness and the wider Highlands to become part of these unique and exciting events.
“I’d welcome anyone interested to get in touch.”
Julie Corcoran, Head of Libraries at High Life Highland, said:
“High Life Highland is absolutely delighted to be involved in this UHI Inverness partner led collaboration which showcases Inverness Library’s rich and diverse Fraser Mackintosh rare book collection.
“The initiative will help to improve access to the collection for students, researchers and the wider community, as well as providing an opportunity for the public to learn about Inverness and the Highlands during the 19th century.
“The Invernessiana project will create further volunteering opportunities at Inverness Library, and we hope that it will also help to attract new customers to the service.”
Professor Peter Reid, Director of the Centre for Stories, Place, and Northern Communities Research at RGU, said:
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with UHI Inverness and High Life Highland to help bring the Charles Fraser Mackintosh collection to life and make this rich heritage accessible to communities today.
“The collection is a treasure trove about the history of Inverness and the wider Highlands, with the ephemera and pamphlets allowing us an insight into aspects of life that might otherwise have faded from memory.”
The project builds on a ten year collaboration between UHI Inverness and High Life Highland, which previously improved public engagement with the archive and led to the development of this expanded initiative.
Anyone interested in being a project volunteer should contact Mel at research.ic@uhi.ac.uk for further information.
