Gourt > Regional > Europe > United Kingdom > Scotland > Western Isles (15)
- Western Isles redirects here. Historically, "Western Isles" more commonly referred to the whole Hebrides archipelago. This usage can still occasionally be heard in Scottish speech
The Outer Hebrides or Western Isles (officially known by the Gaelic name, Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. They form part of the Hebrides, separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the stormy stretch of water known as the Minch and the Little Minch. Most communities in the Outer Hebrides use the Scottish Gaelic language. 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). 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. 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 as is their proper Gaelic name Innse Gall.
Local government
The Western Isles have been a 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 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, 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 on Lewis. More on [ Outer Hebrides ]
@jennybee you're on the western isles for new year? Wow and wow. How was it? Our summer holiday there was amazing 'last' year
bookmeister (bookmeister) Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:25:32 -0000
@jennybee you're on the western isles for new year? Wow and wow. How was it? Our summer holiday there was amazing 'last' year
had a look at new year honours list - appears to be nothing in western isles.
sweenyness (Donald Macsween) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:47:47 -0000
had a look at new year honours list - appears to be nothing in western isles.
View from western isles hotel Tobermory http://twitpic.com/vuxcn
burntnorton (Joe Lafferty) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:54:01 -0000
View from western isles hotel Tobermory http://twitpic.com/vuxcn
@cassiemwilliams I know the western Isles well... too well....
charonQC (Charonqc) Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:47 -0000
@cassiemwilliams I know the western Isles well... too well....
A lot of Western Isles chimney fires http://bit.ly/6FtUk9 Sweep yer lums!
adb44 (adb44) Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:27:38 -0000
A lot of Western Isles chimney fires http://bit.ly/6FtUk9 Sweep yer lums!
Alternative Hebrides - Gallery of images from the Outer Hebrides (Western Isles) of Scotland. Images, cards and paintings available, plus a personalised service for images and cards. Commissioned photographs of a favourite area available.
Meta Description: [ The Outer Hebrides or Western Isles. Phtotgraphs and images from the isles. ]
Anderson, MacArthur and Co - Solicitors, notaries and estate agents for the locality including Lewis, Harris, Uist and Benbecula.
Meta Description: [ Anderson, MacArthur and Co: Solicitors, Notaries and Estate Agents for Scotland's Western Isles including Lewis, Harris, Uist and Benbecula. ]
Benbecula History Society - Comunn Eachdraidh Bheinn na Faoghla. History and news from the Hebridean island of Benbecula.
Meta Description: [ Benbecula Historical Society, History, Benbecula, Uist, The Western Isles, Nunton, Nunton Staedings ]
Bethesda Hospice - A new provision for the Western Isles of Scotland, hospice and voluntary Nursing Home for the 30,000 scattered islanders. Patients receive sympathetic care in a home-like environment
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - Western Isles Council. An overview of what the Western Isles is like as a place to live and as a place to work. Bilingual Site in English and Gaelic.
Meta Description: [ Outer Hebrides or Western Isles - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar comhairle, comhairle nan eilean siar, western isles council, council, local government, western isles, outer, hebrides, scotland, isle, island, islands, celt, celtic, gael, gaelic, lewis, Lewis, Harris, harris, Uist, uist, Barra, barra, ... ]
Councillor Angus Nicolson - A councillor in the Western Isles, responsible for planning and the environment.Information about how the decisions concerning wind farms were made.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to the personal website of Councillor Angus Nicolson ]
Fladda Island - A brief history of this small island, its lighthouse and community. Personal memories of a couple that lived there for the summer of 2003.
Fred Morrison Celtic Bagpiping Musician - Fred plays the Highland pipes, Border pipes, uilleann pipes and low whistle. He lives on island of Benbecula, in the Uists.
Meta Description: [ Fred Morrison Highland Celtic Bagpiping Musician. Traditional Highland Pipes, Border Pipes, Uilleann Pipes and Low Whistle. Gold Medal Winning performances. ]
Harris Tweed - Tweed which has been hand woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the islands of Harris, Lewis, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra and their several purtenances (The Outer Hebrides) and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides.
Harris Tweed Shop - Select from as range of traditional tweeds, hand woven on Harris and Lewis made into jackets, trousers and suits.
Meta Description: [ Traditional Harris Tweed Clothing for Men, including Harris Tweed Suits, Jackets, Trousers and Waistcoats. Irish Tweed Sports Jackets ]
Hypnosis Hebrides - Judith Macdonald MNSPH SQHP GHR has a hypnotherapy practice specialising in; stress busting, smoking, weight loss, and overcoming anxiety attacks.
Island Cruising - Cruises in the Outer Hebrides - Explore the unique Hebridean Isles in Scotland aboard the MV Cuma, cruise in comfort and safety with all the home luxuries you would expect in the 21st century.
Meta Description: [ Explore the unique Hebridean Isles in Scotland aboard the MV Cuma, cruise in comfort and safety with all the home luxuries you would expect in the 21st century. ]
Island Tapestry - A site at which you can view images and have large prints made from the photography of Bill Crookston.
Meta Description: [ Very high quality large format reasonably priced photographs of the Hebridean Islands of Scotland also available as image files and ink-jet prints.
]
Isle of Barra - The community on line with latest news, tourist guide, history of Barra, Gaelic lessons.
Meta Description: [ Isle of Barra is a little beautiful island in Western Isles, Scotland. Barra has an ancient history, speaks Gaelic and is famous for its stunning beaches and tranquillity ]
Isle of Berneray - Community web site with information for residents and visitors including news, events, transport, photos, history and wildlife. List of local clubs and businesses.
Meta Description: [ The community website of the island of Berneray. Contains details of how to get to Berneray and where to stay; Berneray clubs, groups and societies; flora, fauna and machair; historical information about Berneray and a selection of Berneray pictures. ]
Kilda Cruises - Cruises to St Kilda and islands around the Hebrides.
Meta Description: [ Kilda Cruises - cruise to St Kilda and islands around the Hebrides in comfort and style. ]
Martin Collins - Nature and landscape photographs of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.
Meta Description: [ Photographic galleries of the Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles, including the Landscapes, Wildlife, Surfing and the Aurorae that can be seen in this wonderful and remote area of Scotland. ]
Mike Shailes - Gallery of photographs of the Outer Hebrides landscape, with secure online purchase facility. The images are digitally printed on archival, fine art materials.
Meta Description: [ Original landscape photo prints for purchase online. ]
North Tolsta Historical Society - Reflections on village life in Tolsta both past and present. Gallery, family and emigrant details included.
SAORSA - Personal view about Eriskay and the Outer Hebrides with notes of voyages around the West Coast and the author.
Meta Description: [ This is a personal website with details of the Isle of Eriskay and other locations of the West Coast of Scotland. ]
Scalpay Linen - Hand weavers of linen, hand spinners of wool, flax and other fibres, natural dyeing and spinning courses with accommodation provided.
Meta Description: [ scalpay linen, weavers, spinners and
dyers of linen and wool ]
Scottish Radiance - A monthly news letter from the Isles.
Sea Kayak Expeditions to St Kilda - Proposed supported expedition. Listing route details, costs, information and associated links.
St Kilda - Free email publication providing a source of information and pictures for all friends of the islands as well as those interested in all things pertaining to these islands.
Meta Description: [ StKilda: The archipelago at the edge of the world ]
St Kilda - National Trust for Scotland World Heritage Site. Cataloging its history and future; providing information about it management and listing other interesting aspects and questions.
Meta Description: [ St Kilda is the remotest part of the British Isles, west of Benbecula in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. St Kilda was designated a National Nature Reserve by the Scottish Natural Heritage and as a World Heritage site on account of its natural heritage value, its natural environment and populations of ... ]
Stornoway Port Authority - Information on all aspects of arriving in Stornoway by sea. Harbour Information, Fishing Information, Commercial Port Information, Slipway, Cruise Liners Yachting.
The Hebrides - Tourist and information guide to the Scottish Hebrides Islands.
The Isle of Scalpay - Information on the Island including clickable maps and business section.
Meta Description: [ Hebrides - Virtual Hebrides Guide to the Inner & Outer Islands. A community web site with 1,000's of pages about the inner and outer islands and all things Hebridean. The site is regularly updated, with new articles, so please visit again soon. There is lots to do here including; surfing, rock cl... ]
The Uists and Barra Training Programme - The Uists Barra Training Programme is a Learndirect Community Learning Centre which works with Western Isles Enterprise to deliver a range of vocational qualifications to adults and to young people.
The Western Isles - Events in the Outer Hebrides, bird sightings, businesses, shopping, and other local information.
Meta Description: [ Events in the Western Isles. Local Jobs.Weather forecast, tides. Hebrides bird sightings. Updated daily. Willow Baskets. ]
Uist On Line - Uist based news, sports, what's on, tourist information, local services, businesses, shopping, travel, accommodation and education pages.
Visit Hebrides - Offering everything you ever wanted to know about visiting the Hebrides. Listing geographical, accommodation, travel and event information.
Meta Description: [ Information on Scotland tourism and Hebrides Scottish holidays and activites in Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Barra, Taransay, St Kilda ]
Western Isles Auquaculture Association - Represents the interests of the islands' newly established fish farming industry. Contact details.
Meta Description: [ The Western Isles Aquaculture Association represents the interests of the islands newly established fish farming industry ]
Western Isles Guide - Community, tourist, and business information for the Hebridean Isles of Scotland. Includes sections on history, archaeology, biology, social sciences.
Meta Description: [ Web Guide to businesses, communities and organisations in the Hebridean Isles of the Highlands of Scotland ]
Western Isles Libraries - Explains opening hours, charges, Mobile Libraries and Gaelic Collection.
Meta Description: [ Leabharlainn nan Eilean Siar - Western Isles Libraries ]
Western Isles Tourist Board - Official tourism for these Islands, also known as the Outer Hebrides. Contains information for planning a holiday in this part of Europe.
Western Isles Women's Aid - Charitable organisation offering help and support for all women living in the area. Information on domestic abuse, benefits, refuge, children's clothes exchange is included.
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