Twenty years ago, when the Hebridean Trust was formed, the buildings beside the pier at Hynish provided limited shelter from the elements to an occasional passing otter and a few local boats. Though sturdily built over 150 years earlier as part of the Skerryvore lighthouse project, the buildings were well on their way to ruin. It took some vision to see a new future for Hynish but, in partnership with the Highlands and Islands Development Board (now Argyll and the Islands Enterprise), the Hebridean Trust put together the idea, design team and funding to create one of the biggest visitor facilities on Tiree.

Through Hebridean Trust links with The Northern Lighthouse Board, its patron Princess Anne was invited to open the first building, which was to be known as Alan Stevenson House in honour of the great lighthouse engineer. The whole of Tiree turned out for the occasion on a sunny day in May 1991.

Monica Smith, who provided the catering that day, has managed the Hynish Centre for 10 years, and offers a warm Hebridean welcome to visitors. Like most folk on Tiree Monica is used to diverse tasks from personally dealing with all enquiries and bookings to catering for groups of hungry walkers. Her legendary homebaking and teas are enjoyed by visitors who come to enjoy the attractive setting at Hynish every sunday throughout the summer months.

The Hynish Centre was specifically intended to provide high quality catered accommodation to visiting groups with a particular emphasis on charitable and educational groups. Regular customers include the Special Educational Needs Unit at Dundee College and Inveralmond School, but we have also enjoyed the company of adult groups ranging from birdwatching tours of Tiree and Coll to windsurfers, divers and even a Samba Percussion Workshop from Brazil and Manchester. See our visitors page to find out more about the range of people that have been to the Hynish Centre

Since the creation of Alan Stevenson House, the buildings at Hynish have been restored and, one by one, given new uses. Morton Boyd House was rebuilt in 1999 from the Old Smithy and Workshop specifically to provide a modern hall and to extend the range of accommodation available.

To find out more about the Hebridean Trust and the restoration work that is has been achieved in the Hebrides, visit our Hebridean Trust web site.