The Lochaber Archive, Fort William

The Lochaber Archive preserves historical records from the wider Lochaber area and makes them available to the public. Most of its collections date from the 17th century onward, with some material from the early 1600s. The archive protects fragile documents and welcomes both researchers and visitors interested in local history.

The archive holds a wide range of material, including estate papers, letters, maps, photographs, school records, and business documents. Key collections include the Cameron of Lochiel estate papers, dating from 1624, and education records from more than 60 local schools. These sources show how work, land use, and everyday life changed over time, with frequent references to crofting, fishing, forestry, transport, and early tourism.

Historic photographs are one of the easiest parts of the archive to explore. Many date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and show buildings, landscapes, work life, and local events. They are simple to browse, and staff are available to help visitors find material or understand the collections.