Point and Sandwick Trust has purchased the former Knock Mission Hall in Point, with plans to explore transforming the building into a new cultural and heritage centre celebrating the area's rich Gaelic heritage.
The Trust hopes to bring the building back into community use, creating a space dedicated to the history, language, literature, music and cultural traditions of the local area, and its considerable contribution to Gaelic cultural life.
Comann Eachdraidh an Rubha (Point Historical Society) is an important partner in the project, bringing a wealth of knowledge about the area's history and heritage. The Society already hosts regular exhibitions at Àros an Rubha, and the proposed centre at Knock Mission Hall would build on this work rather than replace it.
Among the ideas being explored is a reading room dedicated to Derick Thomson (Ruaraidh MacThòmais), the renowned Gaelic poet and scholar from Point. This could provide a permanent home for the Society's collection of items associated with him, acquired with support from PST, including his writing desk and a substantial number of books, which are currently held in storage.
The proposed centre could also host exhibitions, performances, talks, readings, workshops, Gaelic language classes and traditional music, offering opportunities for local people and visitors to discover and participate in the area's cultural traditions. Early architectural proposals have explored how the building could be adapted to provide flexible exhibition and performance space, while retaining its character.
The project is at an early stage, with a feasibility study and business plan being developed. PST is now inviting the community to help shape the proposals through a public consultation, exploring the need for a dedicated cultural and heritage centre, the types of activities and facilities that would be most valued, and how the building could best serve Point and Sandwick and the wider community.
DJ MacSween, General Manager of Point and Sandwick Trust, said, "Point and Sandwick has an extraordinary Gaelic cultural heritage, with generations of writers, poets, musicians and artists making an important contribution to the cultural life of the islands and beyond. The purchase of Knock Mission Hall gives us an opportunity to celebrate that heritage while bringing a building that has been part of the local community for generations back into use.
"We have some exciting ideas, but we want the community to help shape what happens next. It's important that we hear people's views on what is needed and how the building could best serve Point and Sandwick and the wider area."
The proposed centre could also become part of the wider tourism efforts of Point and Sandwick Trust, encouraging visitors to explore the area's history and cultural heritage.
The survey is available at: https://bit.ly/4ej5MJ3 and closes on Friday 27th November 2026.
Further information is available at Knock Mission Hall | Point and Sandwick Trust
Photo above taken by Karen Maclean-Yuille.