Outer Hebrides 40410 225353548 2008-07-13T06:43:11Z Morrismaciver 536965 /* Gaelic in the Western IslesDr Mac an Tàilleir 1901-2001 Gaelic in the Census, PowerPoint Presentation made available via Linguae Celticae Retrieved 01 June 2008 */ {{dablink|"Na h-Eileanan Siar" and "Western Isles" redirect here. The term "Na h-Eileanan Siar" (Western Isles) can also refer to the whole of the [[Hebrides]].}} {{infobox Scotland council area| |Council= Na h-Eileanan Siar<br />(The Western Isles) |Image= [[Image:Na h-Eileanan Siarcouncil.PNG|250px]] |SizeRank= 7th |Size= 3,071 [[square kilometre|km²]] |Water= ? |AdminHQ= [[Stornoway, Outer Hebrides|Stornoway]]<br />(Steòrnabhagh) |ISO= GB-ELS |ONS= 00RJ |PopulationRank= 30th |PopulationDate= 2004 |Population= 26,260 |PopulationDensity=9 / km² |CouncilDetails= [[Comhairle nan Eilean Siar]]<br />http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/ |Control= <!-- Edit (with refs per WP:VERIFY) at [[Template:Scottish council control]] --> |MPs= <ul><li>[[Angus MacNeil]]</ul> |MSPs= <ul><li>[[Alasdair Allan]]</ul> }} The '''Outer Hebrides''', ([[Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997|officially]] known for [[Local government in Scotland|local government]] purposes by the [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] name, '''''Na h-Eileanan Siar''''') comprise an island chain off the west coast of [[Scotland]]. The local government area is one of the 32 unitary [[council areas of Scotland]]. The islands form part of the [[Hebrides]], separated from the Scottish mainland and from the [[Inner Hebrides]] by the stormy waters of the [[Minch]], the [[Little Minch]] and the Sea of the Hebrides. Formerly the dominant language of the Islands, Scottish Gaelic remains widely spoken even though it has now been largely supplanted by English in some parts. The name for the UK Parliament constituency covering this area is [[Na h-Eileanan an Iar (UK Parliament constituency)|Na h-Eileanan an Iar]], whilst the Scottish Parliament constituency for the area continues to be officially known as [[Western Isles (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Western Isles]] although it is almost always written as ''Western Isles (Eilean Siar)''. The islands were known as ''Suðreyjar'' ("Southern Islands"; cf. [[Sutherland|''Suðrland'']]) under [[Norway|Norwegian]] rule for about 200 years until sovereignty was transferred to Scotland in the [[Treaty of Perth]] in 1266, which followed the [[Battle of Largs]] three years earlier. Colloquially, they are sometimes referred to collectively as ''An t-Eilean Fada'' or "The Long Island"; ''Na h-Eileanan a-Muigh'' (the Outer Isles) is also heard occasionally in Scottish Gaelic. ==Islands== The main islands form an [[archipelago]]. With their smaller surrounding islands these are sometimes known poetically as the '''Long Isle'''. The major islands include [[Lewis]] and [[Harris]], [[North Uist]], [[Benbecula]], [[South Uist]], and [[Barra]]. Much of the western coastline of the islands is [[Machair (geography)|machair]], a fertile low-lying dune pastureland.<ref>Murray, W.H. (1966) ''The Hebrides''. London. Heinemann. Pages 171 & 198</ref> ===Populated islands=== {| class="wikitable" | '''Island''' | '''Population''' ''(2001 census)'' |- | [[Lewis and Harris]] | 19,918 |- | [[South Uist]] | 1,818 |- | [[North Uist]] | 1,271 |- | [[Benbecula]] | 1,219 |- | [[Barra]] | 1,078 |- | [[Scalpay, Outer Hebrides|Scalpay]] | 322 |- | [[Great Bernera]] | 233 |- | [[Grimsay]] | 201 |- | [[Berneray, North Uist]] | 136 |- | [[Eriskay]] | 133 |- | [[Vatersay]] | 94 |- | [[Baleshare]] | 49 |- | [[Grimsay, South East Benbecula]] | 19 |- | [[Flodaigh]] | 11 |- | TOTAL ''(2001)'' | 26,502 |} [[Image:Hebridesmap.png|thumb|The Hebrides (Outer Hebrides in orange)]] ===Unpopulated islands=== The unpopulated islands include: *[[Barra Isles]], [[Boreray, North Uist, Scotland|Boreray]] *[[Calvay]], [[Campay]] *[[Eilean Chaluim Chille]], [[Eilean Iubhard]], [[Eilean Kearstay]], [[Eileanan Iasgaich]], [[Ensay, Outer Hebrides|Ensay]] *[[Fiaray]], Floday, [[Flodday, Barra, Scotland|Flodday]], [[Floddaybeg]], [[Flodaigh Mòr]], [[Fuday]], [[Fuiay]] *[[Gighay]], [[Gilsay]], [[Groay]] *[[Hellisay]], [[Hermetray]] *[[Killegray]], [[Kirkibost]] *[[Lingay, Wiay|Lingay]], [[Little Bernera]] *[[Mealasta Island]], [[Mingulay]] *[[Opsay]], [[Oronsay, Outer Hebrides|Oronsay]], [[Orosay]] *[[Pabbay, Harris, Scotland|Pabbay near Harris]], [[Pabbay Mòr]] *[[Ronay]] *[[Seaforth Island]], [[Scaravay]], [[Scarp, Scotland|Scarp]], [[Scotasay]], [[Shiant Islands]], [[Shillay]], [[Soay Beag]], [[Soay Mòr]], [[Stockinish Island]], [[Stromay]], [[Stuley]], [[Sursay]] *[[Tahay]], [[Taransay]] *[[Vacsay]], [[Vallay]], [[Vuia Beag]], [[Vuia Mòr]] *[[Wiay, Uist|Wiay]] Small islands and island groups pepper the [[North Atlantic]] surrounding the main island group: To the west lie the [[Monach Islands]], [[Flannan Isles]], [[St Kilda, Scotland|St Kilda]], and [[Rockall]], in increasing order of distance. The status of Rockall as part of the [[United Kingdom]] remains a matter of international dispute. About halfway between St Kilda and Rockall is [[Anton Dohrn Seamount]], a large submerged [[volcano]].<ref>[http://www.ngo.grida.no/wwfneap/Projects/Reports/Offshore_Features/seamounts.pdf WWF North-East Atlantic Programme - Seamounts report] Retrieved 121 August 2007.</ref> To the north lie [[North Rona]] and [[Sula Sgeir]], two small and remote islands. Not often included as part of the Outer Hebrides, they nevertheless come under the administration of the Western Isles district. ==Gaelic in the Western Isles<ref>Dr Mac an Tàilleir ''1901-2001 Gaelic in the Census'', PowerPoint Presentation made available via [http://www.linguae-celticae.org/dateien/Gaelic_1901-2001.ppt Linguae Celticae] Retrieved 01 June 2008</ref>== The Western Isles have historically been a very strong Gaelic speaking area. Both in the 1901 and 1921 census, all parishes were reported to be over 75% Gaelic speaking, including areas of high population density such as Stornoway. By 1971 most areas still had more than 75% of speakers with the exception of [[Stornoway]], [[Benbecula]] and [[South Uist]], all at 50-74%. It remains a relatively strong Gaelic speaking area in spite of a continued decline. In the 2001 census, each Hebridean island overall had over 50% speakers: [[Isle of Lewis|Lewis]] 56%, [[Harris]] 69%, [[North Uist]] 67%, Benbecula 56%, South Uist 71% and [[Barra]] 68%. With 59.6% of Gaelic speakers or a total of 15,842 speakers, this made the Western Isles the most strongly coherent Gaelic speaking area in the world. The areas with the highest density are: *[[Scalpay, Outer Hebrides|Scalpay]], [[Newtonferry]] and [[Kildonan]] (all over 80%) *[[Daliburgh]], [[Linshader]], [[Eriskay]], [[Brue]], [[Boisdale]], [[Harris|West Harris]], [[Ardveenish]], [[Soval]], [[Ness]], [[Scaliscro]] and [[Bragar]] (all over 75%) Most other areas have between 60-74%. The lowest density of speakers are found in Stornoway 44%, [[Braigh]] 41%, [[Melbost]] 41%, and [[Balivanich]] 37%. ==The Hebrides under Norse control== {{main|History of the Outer Hebrides}} The Outer and Inner Hebrides came under Norse control and settlement before the 9th century AD. The Norse control of the Hebrides was formalized in 1098 when [[Edgar of Scotland]] formally signed the islands over to [[Magnus III of Norway]]. The Scottish acceptance of Magnus III as King of the Isles came after the Norwegian king had conquered the Orkney Islands, the Hebrides and the [[Isle of Man]] in a swift campaign earlier the same year, directed against the local Norwegian leaders of the various islands. By capturing the islands Magnus III subdued the Norsemen, who had seized the islands centuries earlier, and imposed a more direct royal control. [[Norsemen|Norse]] control of both the Inner and Outer Hebrides would see almost constant warfare until being ultimately resolved by the partitioning of the Western Isles in 1156. The Outer Hebrides would remain under the [[Kingdom of Mann and the Isles]] while the Inner Hebrides broke out under [[Somerled]], the Norse-Celtic kinsman of both [[Lulach]] and the Manx royal house. After his victory of 1156, Somerled went on two years later to seize control over the Isle of Man itself, and become the last [[King of Mann and the Isles]] to rule over all the islands the kingdom had once included. After Somerled's death in 1164 the rulers of Mann would only be in control of the Outer Hebrides. As a result of the 1266 [[Treaty of Perth]] the Outer Hebrides, along with the Isle of Man, were yielded to the Kingdom of Scotland. ==Local government== {{main|Comhairle nan Eilean Siar}}[[Image:L1010741.JPG|thumb|Eriskay, southern Outer Hebrides]] The Western Isles have been a [[unitary authority|unitary council]] area since 1975. In most of the rest of [[Scotland]], however, similar unitary councils were not established until 1996. Since then the islands have formed one of the [[Subdivisions of Scotland|32 unitary council areas]] which now cover the whole of Scotland. The Western Isles council is officially known by its Gaelic name, [[Comhairle nan Eilean Siar]], and known locally simply as 'the Comhairle' or 'a' Chomhairle', having changed its name under the [[Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997]]. The council has its base in [[Stornoway, Outer Hebrides|Stornoway]] on [[Lewis]]. Lewis is in the north of the island group and forms part of the [[Counties of Scotland|county]] of [[Ross-shire]]. The rest of the group, including [[Harris]], is part of [[Inverness-shire]]. Between 1890 and 1975 administration was split, by the Lewis-Harris boundary, between the [[county council]]s of [[Ross and Cromarty]] (which covered Ross-shire and [[Cromartyshire]]) and Inverness-shire. The Western Isles is a member of the [[International Island Games Association]]. ==Religion==<!-- This section is linked from [[Harris]] --> The [[Christianity|Christian]] religion has deep roots in the Western Isles, but owing mainly to the different allegiances of the clans in the past, the people in the northern islands (Lewis, Harris, North Uist) have historically been predominantly [[Protestantism|Protestant]] ([[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]]), and those of the southern islands (Benbecula, South Uist, Barra) predominantly [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]. There are also small [[Scottish Episcopal Church|Episcopalian]] congregations in Lewis and Harris, though many of their members originate outside the islands. The northern parts of the Western Isles (particularly Lewis and Harris) have been described as the last bastion of fundamentalist [[Calvinism]] in Britain[http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1750597,00.html] with large numbers of inhabitants belonging to the [[Free Church of Scotland (post 1900)|Free Church of Scotland]] or the still more conservative [[Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland]]. Services in the [[Free Church]], the [[Free Presbyterian Church]] and some congregations of the [[Church of Scotland]] do not use instrumental music or any songs other than the metrical [[Psalms]]. In 2006 controversy arose over the decision of a local ferry company to sail to Harris on the [[Sabbath in Christianity|Sabbath]] [http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1750597,00.html]. It has also generally been considered unacceptable for people to appear in church improperly dressed, although this is slowly changing. Violations of this nature might include the failure by women to wear a hat, or trousers being worn instead of a skirt, or the wearing by worshippers of either sex of informal clothing such as jeans. The local council refused in December 2005 to conduct formal ceremonies for same-sex couples wishing to register under the [[Civil Partnerships Act 2004]], though would accept all registrations of couples as required by law. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4543274.stm] South of Harris, Sunday observance is less strict. ==Ferries== [[Image:Scotland Tarbert Uig ferry.jpg|thumb|Uig - Tarbert ferry]] Scheduled [[Ferry]] services between the Outer Hebrides and the Scottish Mainland and Inner Hebrides operate on the following routes: *[[Oban]] to [[Castlebay]] on [[Barra]] and [[Lochboisdale]] on [[South Uist]] *[[Uig, Skye|Uig]] on [[Isle of Skye|Skye]] to [[Tarbert, Harris|Tarbert]] on [[Harris]] *[[Uig, Skye|Uig]] on [[Isle of Skye|Skye]] to [[Lochmaddy]] on [[North Uist]] *[[Ullapool]] to [[Stornoway, Outer Hebrides|Stornoway]] on [[Lewis]] *[[Tiree]] to [[Castlebay]], [[Barra]] (summer only) Other ferries operate between some of the islands. National Rail services are available for onward journeys, from stations at [[Oban]], which has direct services to Glasgow, and [[Kyle of Lochalsh]] - the latter being the closest station to the [[Isle of Skye]], and better positioned for journeys to Highland destinations via Dingwall and [[Inverness]]. Plans in the 1890s to lay a railway connection to [[Ullapool]] were unable to obtain sufficient funding, in spite of parliamentary approval.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} ==See also== *[[Kingdom of Mann and the Isles]] *[[Somerled]] *[[List of Kings of the Isle of Man and the Isles]] *[[List of Kings of the Isle of Man]] *[[History of the Outer Hebrides]] *[[Hebridean Myths and Legends]] *[[List of islands of Scotland]] ==References and footnotes== {{refbegin}} ;General references *Ross, David (2005) ''Scotland - History of a Nation''. Lomond. ISBN 0947782583 * General Register Office for Scotland (28 Nov 2003) ''[http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/occpapers/occasional-paper-10.html Occasional Paper No 10: Statistics for Inhabited Islands]'' ;Specific references and notes <references/> {{refend}} ==External links== {{commonscat|Outer Hebrides}} '''Historical footnote:''' Many websites of the Outer Hebrides derive content from the Eolas [[Virtual Hebrides]], website. This was once the largest rural website in the world.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} Eolas went bankrupt in 2000 and the Eolas TV company became [http://www.mactv.co.uk/ MacTV]. The web design team became [http://www.reefnet.co.uk/ Reefnet] and the content has largely found a home on [[GlobalGuide|GlobalGuide.Org]]. '''Sites deriving partly from the original Virtual Hebrides''' *[http://www.hebrides.com Hebrides.com] Photographic website from ex-Eolas Sam Maynard *[http://www.globalguide.org?id=44449 Global Guide Hebrides] Content website from ex-Eolas Scott Hatton *[http://www.visithebrides.com/ www.visithebrides.com] Western Isles Tourist Board site from Reefnet *[http://www.virtualhebrides.com Virtual Hebrides.com] Content from the VH which went its own way and became Virtual Scotland. *[http://www.hebrides.ca hebrides.ca] Home of the Quebec-Hebridean Scots who were cleared from Lewis to Quebec 1838-1920's '''Other Outer Hebrides websites''' *{{wikitravel}} *[http://www.leverburgh.co.uk/ Guide to South Harris] *[http://www.stornoway-portauthority.com/ Stornoway Port Authority] *[http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/ Comhairle nan Eilean Siar] *[http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=Eilean+Siar&mainLevel=CouncilArea 2001 Census Results for the Outer Hebrides] *[http://www.stornoway-lewis.co.uk/ Visitor's guide to Stornoway] *[http://www.hebridean-life.com/ Hebridean-Life.com - a Guide to Living in the Outer Hebrides] {{Hebrides}} {{Scotland subdivisions}} [[Category:Former Norwegian colonies]] [[Category:Outer Hebrides| ]] [[Category:Archipelagoes]] [[Category:Regions of Scotland]] [[Category:Unitary authorities of Scotland]] [[Category:Islands of Scotland]] [[Category:Celts]] [[Category:Lieutenancy areas of Scotland]] [[bg:Западни острови]] [[ca:Western Isles]] [[cs:Vnější Hebridy]] [[cy:Ynysoedd Allanol Heledd]] [[de:Äußere Hebriden]] [[et:Välis-Hebriidid]] [[es:Hébridas Exteriores]] [[eo:Foraj Hebridoj]] [[eu:Kanpoko Hebridak]] [[fr:Hébrides extérieures]] [[gv:Ny h-Ellanyn Sheear]] [[gd:Na h-Eileanan Siar]] [[gl:Hébridas de Fóra]] [[id:Outer Hebrides]] [[it:Ebridi Esterne]] [[la:Hebrides exteriores]] [[lt:Išoriniai Hebridai]] [[nl:Buiten-Hebriden]] [[no:Ytre Hebridene]] [[pl:Hebrydy Zewnętrzne]] [[ro:Hebridele exterioare]] [[ru:Внешние Гебриды]] [[scn:Èbbridi esterni]] [[simple:Western Isles]] [[fi:Ulko-Hebridit]] [[sv:Yttre Hebriderna]] [[zh:埃利安锡尔]]