Viking raids began on Scottish shores towards the end of the 8th century AD and the Hebrides came under Norse control and settlement during the ensuing decades, especially following the success of Harald Fairhair at the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872. [84] [85] In the Western Isles Ketill Flatnose was the dominant figure of the mid 9th century, by which time he had amassed a substantial island realm and made a variety of alliances with other Norse leaders. These princelings nominally owed allegiance to the Norwegian crown, although in practice the latter's control was fairly limited. [86] Norse control of the Hebrides was formalised in 1098 when Edgar, King of Scotland formally signed the islands over to Magnus III of Norway. [87] The Scottish acceptance of Magnus III as King of the Isles came after the Norwegian king had conquered Orkney, 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‘ petty kingdoms. By capturing the islands Magnus imposed a more direct royal control, although at a price. His skald Bjorn Cripplehand recorded that in Lewis "fire played high in the heaven" as "flame spouted from the houses" and that in the Uists "the king dyed his sword red in blood". [87] Thompson (1968) provides a more literal translation: "Fire played in the fig-trees of Liodhus; it mounted up to heaven. Far and wide the people were driven to flight. The fire gushed out of the houses". [88] If you are planning a trip to the Outer Hebrides, we can provide you with a wide range of Western Isles visitor information to help with every aspect of your holiday. Murray, W.H. (1973) The Islands of Western Scotland: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. London. Eyre Methuen. ISBN 0-413-30380-2 From the neat Victorian homes lining the streets of Stornowayin the east, to the stretching white sands of Bostaon Great Bernera in the west, where the clear Atlantic waters sound the evocative toll of the Time and Tide Bell as a reminder of the link between us and the elements, Lewis is an island of exciting contrasts and diverse experiences.

This is a list of islands with an area greater than 25 hectares (approximately 37 acres). Records for the last date of settlement for the smaller uninhabited islands are incomplete, but most of the islands listed here would have been inhabited at some point during the Neolithic, Iron Age, Early Historic or Norse periods. Malhotra, R. (1992) Anthropology of Development: Commemoration Volume in Honour of Professor I.P. Singh. New Delhi. Mittal. ISBN 81-7099-328-8 South Uist is home to the Askernish Golf Course. The oldest links in the Outer Hebrides, it was designed by Old Tom Morris. Although it was in use until the 1930s, its existence was largely forgotten until 2005 and it is now being restored to Morris's original design. [174] [175] See also [ edit ] Bus na Comhairle (meaning "Bus of the Council") is the council-owned local bus company of the Western Isles of Scotland. The company serves the Broadbay area of Lewis with 7 buses - 6 Optare Solos and 1 ADL Enviro 200. a b c "Scotland's Census 2001 Statistics for Inhabited Islands" (PDF). General Register Office for Scotland. 28 November 2003. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012 . Retrieved 26 February 2012.Haswell-Smith (2004) and Ordnance Survey maps for islands <40 ha (100 acres) unless otherwise stated. The Gaelic name is Stromaigh in the Gazetteer for Scotland and the English name "Stromay" is used both here and by the JNCC. The Ordnance Survey calls the island Sròmaigh but this is not used in other sources. It is connected to North Uist at all but the highest stages of the tide and a JNCC report describes it as "the low 'island' of Stromay". [24] [25] Learn how the islanders enduring struggles against both the elements and authorities led to many leaving the land they love. The Ravenspoint Centre in Lochs is home to the Patagonia collection commemoratinga reluctant emigration from the area.

Scalpay: Fuam an Tolla, Greineam, Raiream, Rosaigh, Stiolamair, Stiughaigh, Stiughaigh na Leum, Thamarasaigh Directory of Members". DTA Scotland. Archived from the original on 19 July 2010 . Retrieved 15 July 2007. There is some optimism about the possibility of future developments in, for example, renewable energy generation, tourism, and education, and after declines in the 20th century the population has stabilised since 2003, although it is ageing. [127] [133] A 2019 report, using key assumptions, (mortality, fertility and migration) was less optimistic. It predicted that the population is "projected to fall to 22,709 by 2043"; that translates to a 16% decline, or 4,021 people, between 2018 and 2043. [134] The Outer Hebrides ( / ˈ h ɛ b r ɪ d iː z/ HEB-rid-eez) or Western Isles ( Scottish Gaelic: na h-Eileanan Siar [nə ˈhelanən ˈʃiəɾ] ⓘ, na h-Eileanan an Iar [nə ˈhelanən əɲ ˈiəɾ] ⓘ or na h-Innse Gall, 'Islands of the Strangers'; Scots: Waster Isles), sometimes known as the Long Isle or Long Island (Scottish Gaelic: an t-Eilean Fada), is an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland. [Note 1] The islands are geographically coextensive with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. They form part of the archipelago of the Hebrides, separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the waters of the Minch, the Little Minch, and the Sea of the Hebrides.

Accommodation

Please note the Uig Harbour Closures in 2023which will affect some of our ferry services.Uig Harbour in Skye will close for planned upgrade works from 30 October - 11 December 2023. This will affect Tarbert (Harris)and Lochmaddy (North Uist) ferry services in particular with timetable changes to accommodate the service changes on the Stornoway, Lochboisdale and Sound of Harris ferries. More information is detailed here. Crone, B.A. (1993) "Crannogs and chronologies" Proceedings of the Society of Antiquarians of Scotland. 123 pp.245–54 Each of the islands in the chain has its own unique personality and is deserving of time and in-depth exploration. To the north you have the Isle of Lewiswith its wonderful and distinctivearchaeology,extensive peat bogs and myriad of Lochs and Lochans. Travel south and you cross the majestic and very ruggedhills of North Harrisbefore descending towards the shores of West Loch Tarbert. The southwest of Harris by total contrast is dominated by magnificentwhite shell sand beachesand flower cover machair.