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"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. See also Hebrides (disambiguation The Hebrides (ˈhɛbrɨˌdiːz "HEB-ri-deez" Gaelic: Innse Gall) comprise a widespread and diverse
Na h-Eileanan Siar
(The Western Isles)
Location
Geography
Area Ranked 7th
 - Total 3,071 km²
 - % Water  ?
Admin HQ Stornoway
(Steòrnabhagh)
ISO 3166-2 GB-ELS
ONS code 00RJ
Demographics
Population Ranked 30th
 - Total (2006

)

26,400
 - Density

9 /km² (23 /sq mi)
Politics
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/
Control Independent
MPs
MSPs

The Outer Hebrides, (officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name, Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. Geology and geomorphology See also Geology of Scotland The land area of Scotland is 78 772 km² (30414 square miles roughly 30% of the area of This is a list of Council areas of Scotland ordered by area. See also List of Scottish council areas by population (2004 Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of Stornoway ( Steòrnabhagh in Scottish Gaelic) is a Burgh on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland ISO 3166-2GB is an ISO standard which defines Geocodes it is the subset of ISO 3166-2 which applies to the United Kingdom. The Office for National Statistics coding system is a hierarchical code used in the United Kingdom for tabulating Census and other statistical data Scotland covers an area of 78782 km² or 30341 mi², giving it a Population density of. This is a list of council areas of Scotland ordered by population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume Elections General elections to the council are held on a four year cycle In Politics, an independent is a Politician who is not Affiliated with any Political party. This is a list of Members of Parliament (MPs elected to the House of Commons by Scottish constituencies for the Fifty-Fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom Angus Brendan MacNeil (born 21 July 1970 is the Scottish National Party Member of Parliament for Na h-Eileanan an Iar. Composition of the Parliament Graphical representation This is a graphical comparison of party strengths in the 2nd session of the Scottish Parliament at the time Dr Alasdair Allan (born May 6 1971) is a Scottish National Party politician and Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Western The Local Government (Gaelic Names (Scotland Act 1997 enables local councils in Scotland to rename the areas for which they are responsible with Gaelic Local government in Scotland is organised through 32 unitary authorities consisting of Councillors elected every four years by registered voters in each of the Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The local government area is one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. For local government purposes Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as

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. See also Hebrides (disambiguation The Hebrides (ˈhɛbrɨˌdiːz "HEB-ri-deez" Gaelic: Innse Gall) comprise a widespread and diverse The Inner Hebrides ( Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan a-staigh - the inner isles is an Archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, to the south The Minch ( Scottish Gaelic An Cuan Sgith Cuan na Hearadh An Cuan Leòdhasach) also called The North Minch, is a Strait in north-west The Minch ( Scottish Gaelic An Cuan Sgith Cuan na Hearadh An Cuan Leòdhasach) also called The North Minch, is a Strait in north-west 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, whilst the Scottish Parliament constituency for the area continues to be officially known as Western Isles although it is almost always written as Western Isles (Eilean Siar). Na h-Eileanan an Iar (formerly Western Isles) pron nə ˈhɪlənən ənˈjɪə(r is a constituency of the House of Commons of The Western Isles is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament ( Holyrood) The islands were known as Suðreyjar ("Southern Islands"; cf. Suðrland) under 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. Sutherland (In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas Dùthaich 'Ic Aoidh (NW Asainte (Assynt and Cataibh (East Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional The Treaty of Perth, 1266 ended military conflict between Norway under Magnus the Law-mender and Scotland under Alexander III over the The Battle of Largs was an engagement fought between the armies of Norway and Scotland near the present-day town of Largs in North 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.

Contents

Islands

The main islands form an archipelago. An archipelago (ɑrkəˈpɛləgoʊ is a chain or cluster of Islands The word archipelago literally means "chief Sea " from Italian 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. Lewis ( Leòdhas ʎɔːɣəs̪ ( Norse: Ljoðhús "home Harris ( Na Hearadh in Scottish Gaelic nə hɛɾəɣ is the southern part of the largest island of the Western Isles of Scotland or Outer North Uist ( Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Tuath) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Benbecula ( Gaelic: Beinn nam Fadhla peɲəˈvɤːlˠ̪ə is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast South Uist ( Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Deas) is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The Isle of Barra or Barraigh/Eilean Bharraigh (in Scottish Gaelic) is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay Much of the western coastline of the islands is machair, a fertile low-lying dune pastureland. This article is about a geographic landform For the TV series see Machair (TV series The Gaelic word machair or machar refers to a fertile [1]

Populated islands

Island Population (2001 census)
Lewis and Harris 19,918
South Uist 1,818
North Uist 1,271
Benbecula 1,219
Barra 1,078
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
The Hebrides (Outer Hebrides in orange)
The Hebrides (Outer Hebrides in orange)

Unpopulated islands

The unpopulated islands include:

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, and Rockall, in increasing order of distance. Lewis and Harris ( Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas agus na Hearadh) in the Outer Hebrides make up the largest island in Scotland South Uist ( Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Deas) is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. North Uist ( Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Tuath) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Benbecula ( Gaelic: Beinn nam Fadhla peɲəˈvɤːlˠ̪ə is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast The Isle of Barra or Barraigh/Eilean Bharraigh (in Scottish Gaelic) is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay Scalpay ( Scottish Gaelic: Sgalpaigh, also "Sgalpaigh na Hearadh" (of Harris) to distinguish it from the other Scalpay is an Island Great Bernera ( Scottish Gaelic: Bearnaraigh Mòr) often known just as Bernera (Gaelic Bearnaraigh) is an Island in the Grimsay ( Scottish Gaelic: Griomasaigh) is a tidal Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Berneray ( Scottish Gaelic: Beàrnaraidh) is an Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Eriskay ( Scottish Gaelic: Eirisgeidh, from the Old Norse for "Eric's Isle" is an island of the Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland Vatersay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bhatarsaigh) is an inhabited Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Baleshare (Baile Sear is a flat Tidal island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Grimsay, south east of Benbecula is a tidal island of the Outer Hebrides. Flodaigh is a tidal island lying to the north of Benbecula and south of Grimsay in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland The Barra Isles, also known as the Bishop's Isles as they were historically owned by the church are a small Archipelago of islands in the Outer Hebrides Not to be confused with Boreray St Kilda Boreray ( Scottish Gaelic: Boraraigh) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland Two small uninhabited Islands both named Calvay ( Gaelic Calbhaigh) lie off the coast of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Eilean Chaluim Chille ( Gaelic: island of Saint Columba, Calum Cille is an unpopulated island in the Outer Hebrides. Eilean Liubhaird or Eilean Iubhard is an island in the Outer Hebrides, to the east of Lewis. Eilean Kearstay / Eilean Chearstaidh is an uninhabited island in Loch Roag in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Na h-Eileanan Iasgaich comprise a small uninhabited archipelago in Loch Boisdale, in the south east of the island of South Uist, in the Outer Hebrides, Gaelic translation for Jesus. The proper Gaelic is "Iosa" --> Ensay ( Gaelic Fiaraidh (OS formerly anglicised as Fiaray) is one of the Outer Hebrides. See also Flodday (disambiguation Flodaigh Mòr (or Floddaymore) is an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Fuday (Fuideigh is an uninhabited island of about 570 acres (2 Fuiay ( Gaelic: Fuidheigh) is one of a group of uninhabited islands off the northeast coast of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland Gighay ( Scottish Gaelic Gioghaigh) is one of a group of uninhabited islands off the northeast coast of Barra in the Outer Hebrides Hellisay ( Gaelic: Theiliseigh) is an island in the southern Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Hermetray ( Gaelic: Thearnatraigh) is an uninhabited island off North Uist, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Killegray is an island in the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Kirkibost is a low-lying island west of North Uist in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Little Bernera ( Scottish Gaelic: Bearnaraigh Beag is a small island situated off the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Eilean Mhealasta (Mealista Island is an uninhabited island off the west coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Mingulay ( Scottish Gaelic: Miughalaigh, mjuəlˠ̪aj is the second largest of the Bishop's Isles in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland Oronsay ( Gaelic Orasaigh) is a tidal island off North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Ronay ( Gaelic: Rònaigh) is an Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, which lies a short distance off the east coast of Grimsay There is also a Seaforth Island in the Whitsunday Islands of Queensland Australia Seaforth Island ( Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Sgarabhaigh (formerly anglicised Scaravay) is a small uninhabited island in the eastern end of the Sound of Harris Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Scarp is an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, west of Hushinish on Harris. Scotasay ( Scottish Gaelic: Sgeotasaigh) is an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The Shiant Isles ( Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Mòra) also known in Gaelic as "The Enchanted Isles" ( Na h-Eileanan Seunta) are a privately See also Shillay Monach Islands Shillay ( Gaelic: Siolaigh) is an uninhabited island which lies 2 km north of Pabbay in the Soay Beag (Scottish Gaelic Sòdhaigh Beag) is a small uninhabited tidal island in West Loch Tarbert, between the northern and southern parts of Harris Soay Mòr ( Scottish Gaelic: Sòdhaigh Mòr) is an island in West Loch Tarbert, between the northern and southern parts of Harris. Stockinish Island ( Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Stocainis) is an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides. Stuley is an island lying to the east of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Tahay ( Scottish Gaelic: Taghaigh) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Taransay ( Gaelic: Tarasaigh) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Vacsay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bhacsaidh or Bhacsaigh from Old Norse "bakkiey" meaning "peat bank island" is one of the Vallay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bhàlaigh) is an uninhabited Tidal island in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Fuaigh Beag or Vuia Be(ag is an island in the Outer Hebrides. Fuaigh Mòr or Vuia Mòr is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Wiay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bhuia or Fuidheigh) is an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides. Not to be confused with Heysker/ Hyskeir (Small Isles or Haskeir The Monach Islands, also known as Heisker ( Scottish Gaelic: The Flannan Isles ( Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Flannach, nə helanən flˠ̪an̪ˠəx are a small Island group in the Outer Hebrides of St Kilda (Hiort is an isolated Archipelago 64 kilometres (40 mi west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. Rockall is a small uninhabited rocky Islet in the north Atlantic Ocean, and one of the sea areas named in the Shipping Forecast broadcast on BBC The status of Rockall as part of the United Kingdom remains a matter of international dispute. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located About halfway between St Kilda and Rockall is Anton Dohrn Seamount, a large submerged volcano. The Anton Dohrn Seamount is a Guyot in the Rockall Trough in the northeast Atlantic. Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the [2]

To the north lie North Rona and Sula Sgeir, two small and remote islands. Rona (or Rònaidh in Gaelic) is a remote Scottish Island in the North Atlantic. Sula Sgeir ( Scottish Gaelic based on the Old Norse: súla, "gannet" and sker, "skerry" is a small uninhabited 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[3]

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%. Stornoway ( Steòrnabhagh in Scottish Gaelic) is a Burgh on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland Benbecula ( Gaelic: Beinn nam Fadhla peɲəˈvɤːlˠ̪ə is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast South Uist ( Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Deas) is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.

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: Lewis 56%, Harris 69%, North Uist 67%, Benbecula 56%, South Uist 71% and Barra 68%. Lewis ( Leòdhas ʎɔːɣəs̪ ( Norse: Ljoðhús "home Harris ( Na Hearadh in Scottish Gaelic nə hɛɾəɣ is the southern part of the largest island of the Western Isles of Scotland or Outer North Uist ( Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Tuath) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The Isle of Barra or Barraigh/Eilean Bharraigh (in Scottish Gaelic) is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay 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:

Most other areas have between 60-74%. Scalpay ( Scottish Gaelic: Sgalpaigh, also "Sgalpaigh na Hearadh" (of Harris) to distinguish it from the other Scalpay is an Island Newtonferry ( Scottish Gaelic: Port nan Long: "the harbour of the ships" is a small Crofting community on the island of North Uist Daliburgh (Dalabrog is situated three miles inland from Lochboisdale and has the second biggest population on South Uist. Eriskay ( Scottish Gaelic: Eirisgeidh, from the Old Norse for "Eric's Isle" is an island of the Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland Boisdale is a town in Victoria, Australia, located on Briagolong Road north of Maffra, in the Shire of Wellington. Ardveenish is a village in Western Isles, Scotland In the Science fiction television series Star Trek Enterprise, Soval, portrayed by Gary Graham, is the Vulcan ambassador Bragar is a crofting township or village on the West Side of the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, neighboured by Shawbost to the south and

The lowest density of speakers are found in Stornoway 44%, Braigh 41%, Melbost 41%, and Balivanich 37%. Melbost ( Mealabost) is a village to the east coast of the Isle of Lewis, in Scotland 's north-west Balivanich ( Baile a' Mhanaich) is a village on the island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland.

The Hebrides under Norse control

Main article: History of the Outer Hebrides

The Outer and Inner Hebrides came under Norse control and settlement before the 9th century AD. The Hebrides were settled early on in the Settlement of the British Isles, perhaps as early as the Mesolithic era, around 8500-8250 BC after the climatic conditions The Norse control of the Hebrides was formalized in 1098 when Edgar of Scotland formally signed the islands over to Magnus III of Norway. Edgar (Mediaeval Gaelic Étgar mac Maíl Choluim; Modern Gaelic Eagar mac Mhaoil Chaluim; Mediaeval English Eadgar Margotsson) nicknamed Probus Magnus Barefoot ( Old Norse Magnús berfœtt, modern Norwegian Magnus Berrføtt, 1073 Norway - August 1103 Ulster) son 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. The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical By capturing the islands Magnus III subdued the Norsemen, who had seized the islands centuries earlier, and imposed a more direct royal control.

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. Norsemen is used to refer to the group of people as a whole who speak one of the North Germanic languages as their native language 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. The Kingdom of Mann and the Isles was a Norse kingdom that existed in the British Isles between 1079 and 1266. Somerled ( Old Norse Sumarliði, Scottish Gaelic Somhairle, commonly Anglicized from Gaelic as Sorley) was a military and political Lulach mac Gille Coemgáin ( Modern Gaelic: Lughlagh mac Gille Chomghain, known in English simply as Lulach, and nicknamed Tairbith, "the Although the Inner Hebrides, from 1156 known as the Kingdom of the Hebrides, was still nominally under the sovereignty of Norway, the leaders were Scottish in language and culture rather than Norse.

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. The King of Mann and the Isles ruled over the Orkneys, Shetland, Hebrides and the Isle of Man, known collectively as the Kingdom of Mann 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. The Treaty of Perth, 1266 ended military conflict between Norway under Magnus the Law-mender and Scotland under Alexander III over the

Local government

Main article: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Eriskay, southern Outer Hebrides
Eriskay, southern Outer Hebrides

The Western Isles have been a unitary council area since 1975. Elections General elections to the council are held on a four year cycle See also Independent city A unitary authority is a type of Local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all Local government functions In most of the rest of Scotland, however, similar unitary councils were not established until 1996. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Since then the islands have formed one of the 32 unitary council areas which now cover the whole of Scotland. For local government purposes Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as 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. Elections General elections to the council are held on a four year cycle The Local Government (Gaelic Names (Scotland Act 1997 enables local councils in Scotland to rename the areas for which they are responsible with Gaelic The council has its base in Stornoway on Lewis. Stornoway ( Steòrnabhagh in Scottish Gaelic) is a Burgh on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland Lewis ( Leòdhas ʎɔːɣəs̪ ( Norse: Ljoðhús "home

Lewis is in the north of the island group and forms part of the county of Ross-shire. The counties of Scotland were the principal divisions of Scotland until 1975 Ross-shire, or the County of Ross, ( Siorrachd Rois in Scottish Gaelic) is a former county of Scotland. The rest of the group, including Harris, is part of Inverness-shire. Harris ( Na Hearadh in Scottish Gaelic nə hɛɾəɣ is the southern part of the largest island of the Western Isles of Scotland or Outer Inverness-shire also known as the county of Inverness or Siorrachd Inbhir Nis in Gaelic, was a general purpose county of Scotland, Between 1890 and 1975 administration was split, by the Lewis-Harris boundary, between the county councils of Ross and Cromarty (which covered Ross-shire and Cromartyshire) and Inverness-shire. A County council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a County. Ross and Cromarty Committee area (1996-date Ross and Cromarty lieutenancy area (1996-date Cromartyshire ( Siorrachd Chromba in Gaelic) was a county in the Highlands of Scotland, consisting of a series of Enclaves

The Western Isles is a member of the International Island Games Association. International Island Games Association (IGA is an organisation the sole purpose of which is to organise the Island Games a friendly biennial Athletic competition between teams

Religion

The 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 Protestant (Presbyterian), and those of the southern islands (Benbecula, South Uist, Barra) predominantly Roman Catholic. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity There are also small Episcopalian congregations in Lewis and Harris, though many of their members originate outside the islands. The Scottish Episcopal Church (Eaglais Easbaigeach na h-Alba is a Christian denomination in Scotland and a member of the Anglican Communion, although it

The northern parts of the Western Isles (particularly Lewis and Harris) have been described as the last bastion of fundamentalist Calvinism in Britain[1] with large numbers of inhabitants belonging to the Free Church of Scotland or the still more conservative Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Calvinism (sometimes called the Reformed tradition, the Reformed faith, or Reformed theology) is a theological system and an approach to the The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland ( Scottish Gaelic: "An Eaglais Shaor Chlèireach" was formed in 1893 and claims to be the spiritual descendant of the 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. The Church of Scotland (Eaglais na h-Alba known informally by its Scots language name The Kirk, is the National church of Scotland. Psalms ( Hebrew: Tehilim, תהילים, or "praises" is a book of the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament) included In 2006 controversy arose over the decision of a local ferry company to sail to Harris on the Sabbath [2]. In Christianity, the Sabbath is generally a weekly religious Day of rest as ordained by one of the Ten Commandments (the third by Roman Catholic

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. See Civil partnerships in the United Kingdom for a detailed discussion of the Act and its implementation. [3]

South of Harris, Sunday observance is less strict.

Ferries

Uig - Tarbert ferry
Uig - Tarbert ferry

Scheduled Ferry services between the Outer Hebrides and the Scottish Mainland and Inner Hebrides operate on the following routes:

Other ferries operate between some of the islands. See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and Oban ( An t-Òban in Scottish Gaelic meaning The Little Bay) is a Resort Town within the Argyll and Bute council area The village of Castlebay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bàgh a' Chaisteil) is the main village on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland The Isle of Barra or Barraigh/Eilean Bharraigh (in Scottish Gaelic) is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay Lochboisdale ( Scottish Gaelic: Loch Baghasdail) is the main population centre on the island of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland South Uist ( Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Deas) is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The village Uig lies in a sheltered bay near the north end of the Isle of Skye ( Inner Hebrides) in Scotland. Skye or the Isle of Skye ( Scottish Gaelic An t-Eilean Sgitheanach əɲ tʰʲelan s̪kʲiə Tarbert (Tairbeart is the main community on Harris in the Western Isles of Scotland. Harris ( Na Hearadh in Scottish Gaelic nə hɛɾəɣ is the southern part of the largest island of the Western Isles of Scotland or Outer The village Uig lies in a sheltered bay near the north end of the Isle of Skye ( Inner Hebrides) in Scotland. Skye or the Isle of Skye ( Scottish Gaelic An t-Eilean Sgitheanach əɲ tʰʲelan s̪kʲiə Lochmaddy ( Scottish Gaelic: Loch nam Madadh, "Loch of the wolves" is the administrative centre of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides North Uist ( Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Tuath) is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Ullapool ( Ullapul or Ulapul in Gaelic, the "U" pronounced like the "U" in "sea gull" is a small Town of around Stornoway ( Steòrnabhagh in Scottish Gaelic) is a Burgh on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland Lewis ( Leòdhas ʎɔːɣəs̪ ( Norse: Ljoðhús "home Tiree ( Scottish Gaelic: Tiriodh is an Island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides southwest of Coll. The village of Castlebay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bàgh a' Chaisteil) is the main village on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland The Isle of Barra or Barraigh/Eilean Bharraigh (in Scottish Gaelic) is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay

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. Oban ( An t-Òban in Scottish Gaelic meaning The Little Bay) is a Resort Town within the Argyll and Bute council area Kyle of Lochalsh (from the Scottish Gaelic Caol Loch Aillse, "strait of the foaming lake" is a village on the northwest coast of Scotland Skye or the Isle of Skye ( Scottish Gaelic An t-Eilean Sgitheanach əɲ tʰʲelan s̪kʲiə Inverness (Inbhir Nis iɲɪɾʲˈniʃ is a city in northern Scotland. Plans in the 1890s to lay a railway connection to Ullapool were unable to obtain sufficient funding, in spite of parliamentary approval. Ullapool ( Ullapul or Ulapul in Gaelic, the "U" pronounced like the "U" in "sea gull" is a small Town of around

See also

References and footnotes

General references
Specific references and notes
  1. ^ Murray, W. H. (1966) The Hebrides. London. Heinemann. Pages 171 & 198
  2. ^ WWF North-East Atlantic Programme - Seamounts report Retrieved 121 August 2007.
  3. ^ Dr Mac an Tàilleir 1901-2001 Gaelic in the Census, PowerPoint Presentation made available via Linguae Celticae Retrieved 01 June 2008

External links

Historical footnote: Many websites of the Outer Hebrides derive content from the Eolas Virtual Hebrides, website. The Virtual Hebrides was an influential website which was set up in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and was in operation from late 1993 until 2000 This was once the largest rural website in the world. Eolas went bankrupt in 2000 and the Eolas TV company became MacTV. The web design team became Reefnet and the content has largely found a home on GlobalGuide. Org.

Sites deriving partly from the original Virtual Hebrides

Other Outer Hebrides websites

Wikitravel is a Web -based project "to create a free, complete up-to-date and reliable worldwide travel guide.

Dictionary

Outer Hebrides

-proper noun

  1. An archipelago of the Hebrides in Scotland, separated from the Inner Hebrides by the Little Minch.
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