Hebrides

The mountains of the Black Cuillin Hills, as seen from Drynoch, on the main road between Bracadale and the Sligachan. The jagged pinnacles seen on the left form the ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean (‘Peak of the Young Men’), which reaches an altitude of 965 m/3,166 ft.

Group of more than 500 islands (fewer than 100 inhabited) off the west coast of mainland Scotland; total area 2,900 sq km/1,120 sq mi. The Hebrides were settled by Scandinavians during the 6th-9th centuries and passed under Norwegian rule from about 890 to 1266.

The Inner Hebrides are divided between Highland and Argyll and Bute authorities, and include Raasay, Rum, Muck, Eigg, Scalpay, Skye (Highland) and Mull, Jura, Islay, Iona, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay, and uninhabited Staffa (Argyll and Bute). The Outer Hebrides form the islands area of the Western Isles authority, separated from the Inner Hebrides by the Little Minch. They include Harris/Lewis, North Uist, South Uist, Benbecula, Barra, and St Kilda.

The island of Eigg, which has been in private ownership since 1308, was bought by its residents in April 1997 after an eight-month ownership battle. In December 1996, an initial bid by the islanders of £1.2 million was rejected by the then owner, a German artist; a month later the Trustees of the Heritage Lottery Fund turned down their appeal for financial help. Finally, an English millionairess, who has remained anonymous, was believed to have given them around £900,000 - the bulk of the £1.5 million purchase price.