South Uist - Citizendia

South Uist
Location

OS grid reference:	NF786343
Names
Gaelic name:	Uibhist-a-Deas
Meaning of name:	From 'inni-vist', Old Norse for 'dwelling'. The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using Latitude and Longitude Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages.
Area and Summit
Area:	32,026 ha
Area rank (Scottish islands):	9
Highest elevation:	Beinn Mhor 620 m
Population
Population (2001):	1,818
Population rank (inhabited Scottish islands):	9 out of 97
Main settlement:	Lochboisdale
Groupings
Island Group:	Uists & Barra
Local Authority:	Na h-Eileanan Siar

References:	^[1]^[2]^[3] ^[4]^[5]

South Uist (Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Deas) is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. Scotland covers an area of 78782 km² or 30341 mi², giving it a Population density of. Lochboisdale ( Scottish Gaelic: Loch Baghasdail) is the main population centre on the island of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, 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 For local government purposes Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as The Outer Hebrides, ( officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant The Outer Hebrides, ( officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,818. There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. Archaeology, archeology, or archæology (from Greek grc ἀρχαιολογία archaiologia – grc ἀρχαῖος archaīos See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands A mummy is a Corpse whose Skin and Flesh have been preserved by either intentional or Incidental exposure to Chemicals extreme The population is about 90% Roman Catholic. The island, in common with the rest of the Hebrides, is one of the last remaining strongholds of the Gaelic language in Scotland. Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. In 2006 South Uist, and neighbouring Benbecula and Eriskay were involved in Scotland's biggest community land buyout to date. Benbecula ( Gaelic: Beinn nam Fadhla peɲəˈvɤːlˠ̪ə is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast Eriskay ( Scottish Gaelic: Eirisgeidh, from the Old Norse for "Eric's Isle" is an island of the Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland In the north west there is a missile testing range.

1 Geography and geology
2 Economy
3 Nature Reserve
4 Archaeology
5 Missile testing
6 References
7 External links

Geography and geology

Our Lady of the Isles

The west is machair (fertile low-lying coastal plain) with a continuous sandy beach whilst the east coast is mountainous with the peaks of Beinn Mhòr 620 m (2,033 ft) and Hecla 606 m (1,988 ft). 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 The main village on the island is Lochboisdale (Loch Baghasdail), from which ferries sail to Oban on the mainland and to Castlebay (Bàgh a' Chaisteil) on Barra. Lochboisdale ( Scottish Gaelic: Loch Baghasdail) is the main population centre on the island of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland 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 The island is also linked to Eriskay and Benbecula by causeways. Eriskay ( Scottish Gaelic: Eirisgeidh, from the Old Norse for "Eric's Isle" is an island of the Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland Benbecula ( Gaelic: Beinn nam Fadhla peɲəˈvɤːlˠ̪ə is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast In modern usage a causeway is a road or railway elevated by a bank usually across a broad Body of water or Wetland. Smaller settlements include Daliburgh (Dalabrog), Howmore (Tobha Mòr) and Ludag. Daliburgh (Dalabrog is situated three miles inland from Lochboisdale and has the second biggest population on South Uist. Howmore ( Tobha Mòr) lies on the island of South Uist to the southwest of Loch Druidibeg.

Economy

Tourism is important to the island's economy and attractions include the Kildonan Museum housing the sixteenth century Clanranald Stone and the ruins of the house where Flora MacDonald was born. Flora MacDonald ( Gaelic: Fionnghal NicDhòmhnaill) (1722 &ndash March 4, 1790) Jacobite heroine was the daughter of Ranald

South Uist is home to the Askernish Golf Course. The oldest course in the Outer Hebrides, designed by Old Tom Morris, who also worked on the Old Course at St. Thomas Mitchell "Tom" Morris Sr ( 16 June 1821 &ndash 24 May 1908) otherwise known as Old Tom Morris, was one of the Andrews. The course, which existed intact until the 1930s, is now being restored to Morris's original design, although this is being held up by disagreements with local crofters. ^[6] Part of the course was destroyed to make way for a runway, and its identity remained hidden for many years before its apparent discovery, but the claim is disputed by many locals. ^[7]^[8]^[9]

After a protracted campaign South Uist residents took control of the island on 30 November 2006 in Scotland's biggest community land buyout to date. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The previous landowners, a sporting syndicate, sold the assets of the 92,000 acre (372 km²) estate for £4. 5 million^[10] to a Community Company known as Stòras Uibhist which was set up to purchase the land and to manage it in perpetuity. ^[11]^[12] The buyout resulted in most of South Uist, and neighbouring Benbecula, and all of Eriskay coming under community control. ^[13]

The proposal for community ownership has received the overwhelming support of the people of the islands who look forward to participating in the opportunity to regenerate the local economy, to reverse decline and depopulation, to reduce dependency while remaining aware of the environmental needs, culture and history of the islands. The company name Stòras Uibhist symbolises hope for the future wealth and prosperity of the islands.

Nature Reserve

Flowering machair on South Uist

Loch Druidibeg in the north of the island is a National Nature Reserve owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. 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 National Nature Reserve is a United Kingdom government Conservation designation for a Nature reserve of national significance for biological or earth science For the inorganic ion -SnH see Organotin Scottish Natural Heritage ( Scottish Gaelic Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba) is a Scottish public The reserve covers 1,677 hectares of machair, bog, freshwater lochs, estuary heather moorland and hill. 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 A bog or mire is a Wetland type that accumulates Acidic Peat, a deposit of dead plant material &ndash usually Mosses but also A loch (usually Lough as a name element outside Scotland) is a body of Water which is either a Lake or An estuary is a semi-enclosed Coastal body of Water with one or more Rivers or Streams flowing into it and with a free connection to the open ^[14] Over 200 species of flowering plants have been recorded on the reserve, some of which are nationally scarce. South Uist is considered the best place in the UK for the aquatic plant Slender Naiad (Najas flexilis)^[15] which is a European Protected Species. European Protected Species are species of plants and animals (other than birds protected by law throughout the European Union.

Nationally important populations of breeding waders are also present, including redshank, dunlin, lapwing and ringed plover. For the Plant named Redshank ( Persicaria maculosa, formerly Polygonum persicaria) see Redshank (plant. The Dunlin, Calidris alpina, is a small Wader, sometimes separated with the other " Stints quot in Erolia. The Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula is a small Plover. Adults are 17-19 The reserve is also home to greylag geese on the loch and in summer corncrakes on the machair. Otters and hen harriers are also seen. The Hen Harrier ( Circus cyaneus) or Northern Harrier (in North America) is a Bird of prey.

There has been considerable controversy over hedgehogs on South Uist. The West European Hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus) or simply the European hedgehog, is a Hedgehog Species found throughout the Palaearctic The animals are not native to the islands, having been introduced in the 1970s to reduce garden pests. They now pose a threat to the eggs of ground nesting wading birds on the reserve. In 2003 Scottish Natural Heritage undertook a cull of hedgehogs in the area. ^[16]^[17]

Archaeology

Looking west to Nicolson's Leap. In the background are Beinn Mhór on the left, and Hecla on the right.

The SEARCH project (Sheffield Environmental and Archaeological Research Campaign in the Hebrides) on South Uist has been developing a long-term perspective on changes in settlement and house form from the Bronze Age to the 19th century. The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Organisation within Iron Age roundhouses appears to have been very different from 19th century blackhouses in which the dwelling was shared with stock. This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man. A roundhouse is a building used by railroads for servicing Locomotives Roundhouses are large circular or semicircular structures that were traditionally located surrounding Stock sharing living space with people is often regarded as a traditional Hebridean arrangement reflecting Norse influence. 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 ^[18]

The archaeological site of Cladh Hallan, the only site in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found, is on South Uist. Archaeology, archeology, or archæology (from Greek grc ἀρχαιολογία archaiologia – grc ἀρχαῖος archaīos Cladh Hallan is an archaeological site on the island of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands A mummy is a Corpse whose Skin and Flesh have been preserved by either intentional or Incidental exposure to Chemicals extreme ^[19]

Missile testing

In the north west of the island at ( 57°20′00″N, 07°20′00″W), a missile testing range was built in 1957-58 to launch the Corporal missile, Britain and America's first guided nuclear weapon. The American-made MGM-5 Corporal missile was the first Guided weapon authorised by the US to carry a Nuclear warhead. This development went ahead despite significant protests, some locals expressing concern that the Scottish Gaelic language would not survive the influx of English-speaking army personnel. Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. The British Government claimed that there was an 'overriding national interest' in establishing a training range for their newly purchased Corporal, a weapon that was to be at the front line of Cold War defence. Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the The Corporal missile was tested from 1959 to 1963, before giving way to Sergeant and Lance tactical nuclear missiles. The American-made MGM-5 Corporal missile was the first Guided weapon authorised by the US to carry a Nuclear warhead. The 'rocket range' as it is known locally has also been used to test high altitude research rockets, Skua and Petrel, which despite their purportedly scientific remit, were operated by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment in Aldermaston. Skua is the designation of a British Sounding rocket which was launched between 1959 and 1981 in 4 versions over 300 times The Petrel was a British Sounding rocket. The Petrel 1 was launched like the Skua 1 with 3 Chick booster rockets For the World War II use of this facility see RAF Aldermaston The Atomic Weapons Establishment ( AWE) is responsible for the

The range is still owned by the MoD operated by QinetiQ as testing facility for missile systems such as the surface-to-air Rapier missile and Unmanned Air Vehicles (see[1]). The Ministry of Defence ( MoD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters QinetiQ ( (pronounced, as in Kinetic energy) is a British defence technology company, formed from the greater part of the former government agency Rapier is a British Surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army and Royal Air Force. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV is an unpiloted Aircraft. UAVs can be remote controlled or fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic

References

^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish. This is a list of the Islands of Scotland, the mainland of which is part of the island of Great Britain. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.
^ The Chronicles of Mann. Manx Society. Vol XXII, Retrieved 4 July 2007.
^ Germanic Lexicon Project Retrieved 4 July 2007.
^ Ordnance Survey
^ Storas Uibhist press release
^ cybergolf.com re Askernish course. Retrieved 16 June 2007.
^ Crofters deny Old Tom claim Retrieved 18 June 2007.
^ Forgan, Duncan (28 July 2007) Island pins hopes on past links. Edinburgh. The Scotsman newspaper.
^ Land buyout reality for islanders BBC News Online
^ Stòras Uibhist
^ Islanders pay £4.5m to be rid of feudal lairds The Independent newspaper. (1 December 2006) Retrieved 29 July 2007.
^ The quiet revolution. (19 January 2007) Broadford. West Highland Free Press.
^ SNH Loch Druidibeg Retrieved 29 July 2007.
^ JNCC Slender Naiad report Retrieved 29 July 2007.
^ Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue Retrieved 1 January 2007.
^ Ross, John (21 February 2007) Hedgehogs saved from the syringe as controversial Uist cull called off. Edinburgh. The Scotsman newspaper.
^ Smith, H. , Marshall, P. and Parker Pearson, M. 2001. Reconstructing house activity areas pp 249-270. In Albarella, U (ed) Environmental Archaeology: Meaning and Purpose. Kluwer Academic Publishers.
^ BBC - History - The Mummies of Cladh Hallan

External links

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