HOME HEARTH HERITAGE – New fully funded PhD explores Uist’s Taighean Tughaidh

New PHD research opportunity to study primarily based at UHI North, West and Hebrides in Uist in partnership with Ceòlas and UHI Centre for History.

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have an exciting new PHD research opportunity to study primarily based at UHI North, West and Hebrides in Uist in partnership with Ceòlas and UHI Centre for History. This project has been awarded funding by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities as part of its prestigious Collaborative Doctoral Award scheme.

This project has been awarded funding by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities as part of its prestigious Collaborative Doctoral Award scheme.

Working co-creatively with the community, the PhD student will develop an innovative interdisciplinary approach that will bring together cutting-edge archaeological and oral history techniques to better understand and utilise Uist’s Taighean Tughaidh – domestic dwellings maintained and lived-in throughout Uist by Gaelic communities from the mid-18th until the late 20th century. The remains of these iconic buildings are found widely across Uist - most in decay, hidden beneath newer housing or renovated for tourism markets.

Based primarily at the UHI North, West & Hebrides' Cnoc Soilleir campus in South Uist with archaeologist Dr Rebecca Rennell, this funded Collaborative Doctoral Award will be led by Dr Iain Robertson and the UHI Centre for History in partnership with UHI Archaeology Institute and Ceòlas Uibhist.

Dr Rebecca Rennell said “I’m really looking forward to seeing this research unfold. It is especially important that the successful candidate will be based at Cnoc Soilleir in South Uist. There needs to be better articulation between archaeological research and living Gaelic culture, language and heritage. This much needed research provides the perfect opportunity for exploring interdisciplinary approaches and expanding collaborations and partnerships locally as well as across UHI.  A great opportunity for all involved."

John Joe MacNeil, Ceòlas Uibhist said, “I am delighted to see this joint PHD opportunity come to fruition in partnership with UHI North, West and Hebrides, the UHI Centre for History and Ceòlas.  As a community grassroots organisation in South Uist, Ceòlas promote, nurture and celebrate Gaelic language, music, dance, culture and heritage across our local, national and international communities.  This piece of research will allow us to better communicate, preserve and explore our unique heritage.  Cnoc Soilleir is a transformational collaboration between Ceòlas and UHI North, West and Hebrides, which has facilitated the development of this much needed research.”

Dr Iain Robertson, Associate Professor at the Centre for History said,  “At the Centre for History we are hugely excited to be involved in this partnership with UHI North, West and Hebrides and Ceolas. Taighean Tughaidh are a vital part of Uist’s cultural heritage with memories about living with them an important element of that. If these buildings are to play a role in helping preserve that heritage then drawing together memories and structures is a vital and innovative first step. I am delighted to be helping partners and community in this way”.

Find out more and how to apply - Home, Hearth And Heritage – Exploring inter-disciplinary approaches for engaging with fragile, living heritage.

The deadline for applications is Friday 17 May.

UHI is one of ten Scottish institutions that are part of the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH).

The UHI Centre for History is Internationally renowned for research, teaching and community engagement in Highland, Scottish and wider world history. We take part in research, knowledge exchange and public engagement in medieval, early modern and modern history - unique within a Scottish context. A key focus is on the land and people of the Scottish Highlands, and we host the online report of the Napier Commission, one of the most significant sources for the Highland Clearances.