Western Isles
Locator map for the Scottish administrative region of Western Isles.
Island administrative unitary authority area in Scotland, also known as the Outer Hebrides, including the major islands of Lewis-with-Harris, North and South Uist, Benbecula, and Barra.
Area
3,057 sq km/1,180 sq mi
Towns
Stornoway on Lewis (administrative headquarters), Castlebay, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Tarbert
Physical
open to the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the stormy Minch to the east, the islands are almost treeless and have extensive peat bogs. There are areas of hills and mountains on all the islands. The only fertile land is the sandy Machair on the west coast. The islands are mainly composed of the oldest rock in Britain, the Lewisian gneiss. Lewis is divided from the mainland by the Minch channel. The islands south of Lewis are divided from the Inner Hebrides by the Little Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides; uninhabited islands include St Kilda and Rockall
Features
Callanish monolithic Stone Age circles on Lewis
Industries
Harris tweed, tourism
Agriculture
sheep, cattle, fishing
Population
(2001) 26,500
Harris and Lewis are often assumed to be two islands, but are linked by a narrow neck of land.
History A long history of settlement has left Stone, Bronze, and Iron Age remains, including those at Callanish. From the 8th to 13th centuries the area remained subject to the Scandinavians; sites with remains are rare but language, customs, and place names are strongly related to this period. Associations with strong clans such as Macdonald, MacNeil, and MacLeod, the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie (Prince Charles Edward Stuart), the formation of large estates and the ‘clearances’ are all integral parts of the history of this area. |
Economy The main occupations of farming, weaving, and fishing are related to the crofting form of land holding and settlement. The larger settlements are all ports on the indented east side of all the main islands. Apart from the Harris tweed mills, there is little industry. Tourism is increasingly important. There are good air and sea connections from the larger islands. |
Environment There are 53 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, four National Nature Reserves, two Ramsars (wetland sites), seven Special Protection Areas, two Biosphere Reserves, one World Heritage Site, and three National Scenic Areas. |
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