Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Isle of Lewis, Lewis and Harris on Tripadvisor: See 7,906 traveller reviews and photos of Isle of Lewis tourist attractions. The Lords of the Isles were based on Islay, but controlled all of the Hebrides. ... Harris and Lewis has a population of just 20,500. Near Stornoway, Laxdale, Sandwick and Holm, although still de facto villages, have now become quasi-suburbs of Stornoway. Additionally, the Lewis Peatlands are recognised by Scottish Natural Heritage as a Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and a Ramsar site, showing their importance as a wetland habitat for migratory and resident bird life.[12]. Suggestions for the possibility of an undersea tunnel linking Lewis to the Scottish mainland were raised in early 2007. It was once part of the Norse Kingdom of the Isles. An important feature of the winter bird life is the great diversity of wildfowl. In 2008, with the large increase in the price (and theft) of LPG and heating oil, there are signs that there may be a return to peat cutting. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. The only town on the island is Stornoway, which is home to one third of the population. 1941: (no census) 1951: 23731. While peat burning still goes on, there has been a significant decline in recent years as people move to other, less labour-intensive forms of heating; however, it remains an important symbol of island life. The buildings became larger and more prominent, culminating in the brochs – circular, dry-stone towers belonging to the local chieftains – testifying to the uncertain nature of life then. There is a good provision of sporting grounds and sports centres in Lewis. Lewis (crater), a crater on the far side of the Moon Isle of Lewis, the northern part of Lewis and Harris, Western Isles, Scotland These raids, commemorated in monuments in several villages,[7] were ultimately successful, as the government was prepared to take legal action in support of land resettlement. Aside from the village of Achmore in the centre of the island, all settlements are on the coast.[9]. In 1844 Lewis was bought by Sir James Matheson, co-founder of Jardine Matheson, but subsequent famine and changing land use forced vast numbers off their lands, and increased again the flood of emigrants. 1981: 21546. The name is not of Gaelic origin, the Norse credentials are questionable and it may have a pre-Celtic root.[48][49]. Though historically important, they are currently in decline and crofting in particular is little more than a subsistence venture today. "[31], Aside from the concentration of industry and services in the Stornoway area many of the historical sites have associated visitor centres, shops or cafes. The best remaining example of a broch in Lewis is at Dùn Chàrlabhaigh. The data for this record was last updated 3/8/14 . [15] Exceptions are a patch of granite near Carloway, small bands of intrusive basalt at Gress and in Eye Peninsula and some sandstone at Stornoway, Tong, Vatisker and Carloway, which was originally thought to be Torridonian,[14] but is now considered more likely to be Permo-Triassic in age.[16]. Stornoway is the public transport hub of Lewis with bus service links to Point, Ness, Back and Tolsta, Uig, the West Side, Lochs and Tarbert, Harris. Population: 1,300 Language: Scottish Gaelic English: OS grid reference: Civil parish Just over 6,000 people live in the town, which represents about a third of the total population of the island. Lewis has a Presbyterian tradition and a rich history. The airport is the base of a HM Coastguard Search & Rescue Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, and was previously home to RAF Stornoway. His plans were initially popular, but his opposition to land resettlement led to further land raids, especially around the farms of Coll, Gress and Tong. [6] It is also known as the Isle of Lewis (Gaelic: Eilean Leòdhais). In April 2020, the Isle of Lewis Distillery published a list of 10 recommended books that feature the Outer Hebrides. Stornoway Castle Green hosts the annual 3-day Hebridean Celtic Festival in July, attracting over 10,000 visitors. The other main islands in the Western Isles are the … Peat stacking also follows local customs and a well built peat stack can be a work of art. The name "Lewis" is the English spelling of the Scottish Gaelic Leòdhas which comes from the Old Norse Ljóðhús, as Lewis is named in medieval Norwegian maps of the island. Three heathers; ling, bell heather and cross-leaved heath are predominant in the large areas of moorland vegetation which also holds large numbers of insectivorous plants such as sundews. The common frog may be found in the centre of the island[25] though it, along with any newts or toads present are introduced species.[19]. [37], While Presbyterianism dominates Lewis, other denominations and other religions have a presence with a Catholic church, a Scottish Episcopal Church (part of the Anglican Communion), there is also a Catholic priest of the Anglican Ordinariate in Stornoway,[38] a Salvation Army corps, a Pentecostal church (New Wine Church), a Plymouth Brethren church, a Baptist church, a meetinghouse of the LDS Church and a Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall all present in Stornoway. The small houses of these people have been found throughout the Western Isles; in particular, at Dail Mhor, Carloway. In the 2011 census Lewis had a population of 19,658. Emigration to the New World increasingly became an escape for those who could afford it during the latter half of the century. A few pairs of peregrine falcons inhabit the coastal cliffs and merlin and buzzard are common everywhere on hill and moor. The radio station Isles FM is based in Stornoway and broadcasts on 103FM, featuring a mixture of Scottish Gaelic and English programming. Stornoway is the main town on the Isle of Lewis and is also the home of the Western Isles Council. The second and ongoing phase of the Hebridean Mink Project aims to rid Lewis and Harris of mink in similar fashion.[23]. South Lewis, Harris and North Uist together comprise a National Scenic Area. Today, both Scottish Gaelic and English are spoken in Lewis, but in day-to-day life, a hybrid of English and Scottish Gaelic is very common. The Standing Stones and Stone Circles bear witness to this early occupation, as do the Iron Age forts and archaeological sites scattered around the Island. Sundays on the Isle of Lewis The comments below are from a regular visitor to the island, and he tries to describe Lewis from a visitor’s perspective. Eastern Airways flights to Aberdeen ended in November 2018. 1861: 21056. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Isle of Lewis, Lewis and Harris on Tripadvisor: See 24,403 traveller reviews and photos of Isle of Lewis tourist attractions. 1881: 25415. The town is also home to a studio operated by BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, and Studio Alba, an independent television studio from where the Scottish Gaelic TV channel TeleG was broadcast. The island's most famous insect resident is the Scottish midge which is ever-present near water at certain times of the year. The Hebrides are known as the "long islands" as they stretch for 100 miles. The coastline is severely indented, creating a number of large sea lochs, such as Lochs Resort and Seaforth, which form part of the border with Harris, Loch Roag, which surrounds the island of Great Bernera, and Loch Erisort. The principal town is Stornoway and there are four parishes: Stornoway and Lochs in the east, and Barvas and Uig in the west. The legendary Callanish Standing Stones poke up from the ground like a strange and massive stone city. 1911: 29603. This village was subsequently 'cleared' in 1823 and re-settled in 1878 using the exact land lotting divisions from 1805. The population of the greater-Stornoway area including these (and other) villages would be nearer 12,000. [36], Once dried, the peats are carted to the croft and built into a large stack. Isle of Lewis, United Kingdom is located at 58.21901 [latitude in decimal degrees], -6.38803 [longitude in decimal degrees] at an average elevation of 14 meters. Names. Just over 6,000 people live in the town, which represents about a third of the Islands total population. [40][41], School education in Lewis is under the remit of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, there are a total of 15 schools covering the 5–18 age range. Lewis/Harris is the most populous of the Scottish islands, and had just over 21,000 residents in 2011, a rise of 5.6% from the 2001 census total of 19,918. The most important mixed woods are those planted around Lews Castle in Stornoway, dating from the mid-19th century.[27]. One of the possible routes, between Stornoway and Ullapool, would be over 50 miles (80 km) long and hence become the longest road tunnel in the world;[34][35] however, shorter routes would be possible. The Isle of Lewis has a variety of locations of historical and archaeological interest, including: There are also numerous lesser stone circles and the remains of five further brochs. Compared with Harris, Lewis is relatively flat, except in the south-west, where Mealaisbhal, 574 m (1,883 ft), is the highest point, and in the south-east, where Beinn Mhor reaches 572 m (1,877 ft); but there are 16 high points exceeding 300 m (980 ft) in height. 1921: 28378. The island's diverse habitats are home to an assortment of flora and fauna, such as the golden eagle, red deer and seal, and are recognised in a number of conservation areas. Welcome to The Isle of Lewis. [citation needed] The island's first mosque opened in Stornoway in May 2018. Outwith Stornoway, many villages have an all-purpose shop (often combined with a post-office). 1971: 20329. The large number of village schools lead to necessarily small rolls, and falls in pupil numbers led to the closures of all of the rural secondary departments and some of the primary schools. Peat is still cut as a fuel in many areas of Lewis. Peat is usually cut in late spring with a tool called a tairsgeir (that is, a peat iron, peat spade, peat knife or tosg; sometimes toirsgian) which has a long wooden handle with an angled blade on one end. The Scottish Gaelic culture in the Western Isles is more prominent than in any other part of Scotland. Lewis (musician), Canadian singer "Lewis (Mistreated)", a song by Radiohead from My Iron Lung Places. Many of the islands that make up Lewis and Harries are no longer inhabited, and it’s likely only due to this bridge built in the 1950s, that replaced the more traditional small ferry that Great Bernera continues to be. For the ship, see, Traditional provinces and districts of Scotland, Major districts (former counties, provincial lordships and rural deaneries), Gammeltoft, Peder "Scandinavian Naming-Systems in the Hebrides – A Way of Understanding how the Scandinavians were in Contact with Gaels and Picts?" During the First World War, thousands of islanders served in the forces, many losing their lives, including 208 naval reservists from the island who were returning home after the war when the Admiralty yacht HMY Iolaire sank within sight of Stornoway harbour. Following the 1745 rebellion, and Prince Charles Edward Stewart's flight to France, the use of Scottish Gaelic was discouraged, rents were demanded in cash rather than kind, and the wearing of folk dress was made illegal. [39], Some churches in Lewis practice precenting the line, a distinctive, heterophonic style of congregational psalm singing in Scottish Gaelic. Lewis' main settlement, the only burgh on the Outer Hebrides, is Stornoway (Steòrnabhagh), from which ferries sail to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. Other freshwater fish present include Arctic char, European eel, 3 and 9 spined sticklebacks, thick-lipped mullet and flounder. Geonames ID The geonames id for Isle of Lewis is 8299620. Lewis became part of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles, an offshoot of Norway. The geology of Lewis is dominated by the metamorphic gneisses of the eponymous Lewisian complex. (source: General Register Office for Scotland, except *Angus Macleod Archive). [50] Some community organisations in the rural districts have their own publications with news and features for these particular areas, such as the Rudhach for the Point district. The ease of transport to Stornoway and the advent of the internet have led to many of the village shops closing in recent times. Control of Lewis itself was initially exercised by the Macleod clan, but after years of feuding and open warfare between and even within local clans, the lands of Clan MacLeod were forfeited to the Scottish Crown in 1597 and were awarded by King James VI to a group of Lowland colonists known as the Fife adventurers in an attempt to anglicise the islands. The more fertile nature of the eastern side led to the majority of the population settling there, including the largest (and only) town, Stornoway. However, the Western Isles as a whole have suffered the worst rates of depopulation over the last decade – losing more than 3,000 people. Stornoway Airport is 2 miles (3 km) away from the town itself, and is located next to the village of Melbost. 2001: 18489 Ownership of Lewis [32] There is a pharmaceutical plant near Breasclete which specialises in fatty acid research.[33]. Around 550 people live in Tarbert. There are almost no rural public houses (for the sale of alcohol); instead, local hotels or inns function as meeting, eating and drinking places, often with accommodation provided. That portion of Lewis bordering upon Harris partakes of the same mountainous character, attaining a height of 1400 feet in the Peak of Swainebhal and 900 in in the Hill of Roineval. [24] In addition, some residents keep farm animals such as Hebridean sheep, Highland cattle or kyloe and a few pigs. The Western Isles Islands Council was established in 1975. Actually a legless lizard, it is the sole member of its order present. The Isle of Lewis is in the Highlands electoral region and is part of the identical Na h-Eileanan an Iar Scottish Parliamentary and Na h-Eileanan an Iar Westminster constituencies, both currently represented by members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and previously held by members of the Labour Party before the respective elections. Stornoway is the main town of the island, and the civil parish of Stornoway, including the town and various nearby villages, has a population of about 12,000. These figures on the claiming of benefits in Isle of Lewis come from the Department for Work & Pensions and are dated . [47] Almost all of the Gaelic speakers are bilingual. The island of Great Bernera contains the first planned crofting township created in the Outer Hebrides, Kirkibost created in 1805. The total area of Lewis is 683 square miles (1,770 km2).[3]. Lewis' main settlement, the only burgh on the Outer Hebrides, is Stornoway (Steòrnabhagh), from which ferries sail to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. At that time, people began to settle in permanent farms rather than following their herds. Lewis has a rich cultural heritage as can be seen from its myths and legends as well as the local literary and musical traditions. Sports such as football, rugby union and golf are popular. The two parts are frequently referred to as if they were separate islands. These winds have led to Lewis being designated a potential site for a significant wind-farm which has caused much controversy amongst the population. 1961: 21934. Rabbit population explosion forces coastal Capel Shire to take action. [18] In the Pairc area, oystercatchers and curlews can be seen. 1901: 28949. A visit to the Isle of Lewis is like stepping into the pages of a Scottish fairy tale. Some villages have more than one, with these usually being specialist stores such as pharmacies or petrol stations. The Stornoway Gazette is the main local paper, covering Lewis and beyond and is published weekly. Isle of Lewis Benefits & Unemployment Statistics. The largest island of the Outer Hebrides, Lewis offers amazing opportunities to explore all the elements of life on the edge in the Atlantic Ocean – with history, heritage, wilderness, wildlife, arts, crafts, crofting culture and even adrenaline fuelled adventure all here for the taking on your Hebridean holiday. A daily Caledonian MacBrayne ferry (MV Loch Seaforth) sails from Stornoway to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland, taking 2 hours 30 minutes connecting Lewis with the mainland. 1851: 19694. Stornoway is the commercial centre of Lewis, there are several national chains with shops in the town, two national supermarket chains as well as numerous local businesses. The Sabbath is generally observed with most shops and licensed premises closed on that day, although there is a scheduled air service to mainland Scotland as well as a scheduled ferry service since 19 July 2009. 1991: 19901. Harris (Scottish Gaelic: Na Hearadh, pronounced [nə ˈhɛɾəɣ] ()) is the southern and more mountainous part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.Although not an island itself, Harris is often referred to as the Isle of Harris, which is the former postal county and the current post town for Royal Mail postcodes starting HS3 or HS5; see HS postcode area. The Hebridean is a sister paper of the Gazette and also provides local coverage. Book the Best Isle of Lewis Hotels on Tripadvisor: Find 4,902 traveller reviews and 1,984 candid photos for hotels in Isle of Lewis, Scotland. Harris Tweed is now defined as "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. The Scottish Gaelic name Leòdhas may be derived from Norse Ljoðahús ('song house'),[4] although other origins have been suggested – most notably the Gaelic leogach ('marshy'). [46] As a result of the Scottish Gaelic influence, the Lewis accent of Highland English is frequently considered to sound more Irish or Welsh than stereotypically Scottish in some quarters. [53] Parts of the crime/mystery series by author GR Jordan are also set in this area, with the action in Water's Edge and Horror Weekend taking place primarily on the Isle. [5] It is probably the place referred to Limnu by Ptolemy, which also means 'marshy'. [51][52], Lewis has been home to, or inspired, many writers, including bestselling contemporary author Kevin MacNeil, whose cult novel The Stornoway Way was set in the island's capital. Faced with this, Leverhulme gave up on his plans for Lewis and concentrated his efforts on Harris, where the town of Leverburgh takes his name. Lewis (and the rest of the Western Isles) became part of Scotland once more in 1266: under the Treaty of Perth it was ceded by the Kingdom of Norway. The odour of the peat-smoke, especially in winter time, can add to the general atmosphere of the island. It is conjoined with Harris in the south though the two are traditionally considered separate islands, and separated from the mainland of Scotland by the Minch, some 30 miles across. The more striking great monuments of this period are the temples and communal burial cairns at places like Calanais. [56], This article is about the northern part of an island in Scotland. Local information for the town of Isle of Lewis, Western Isles.For more information on other towns in Western Isles, you can visit our Towns in Western Isles page, alternatively you can use the navigation menu. In May 1918 the Isle of Lewis was bought by the soap magnate Lord Leverhulme, who intended to make Stornoway an industrial town and build a fish cannery. ABC South West WA / By Dominique Bayens. [10] Southern Lewis also has a large number of freshwater lochs compared to the north of the island. There are 15 Sites of Special Scientific Interest on Lewis in the biology category, spread across the island. Many species of seabirds inhabit the coastal areas of Lewis, including shag, gannet, fulmar, kittiwake, guillemot, and gulls. Other ferries sailing from Harris are easily accessible by road enabling transport to Skye and Uist. The Isle of Lewis[2] (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Leòdhais or simply Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas, pronounced [ˈʎɔːəs̪] (listen)) is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides archipelago in Scotland. Scottish Gaelic is the language of choice amongst many islanders and around 60% of islanders speak Scottish Gaelic as a daily language, whilst 70% of the resident population have some knowledge of Scottish Gaelic (including reading, writing, speaking or a combination of the three). Stornoway (/ ˈ s t ɔːr n ə w eɪ / (); Scottish Gaelic: Steòrnabhagh; Scots: Stornowa) is the main town of the Western Isles and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland.. The Isle of Lewis has a rich folklore, including Seonaidh – a water-spirit who had to be offered ale in the area of Teampull Mholuaidh in Ness – and The Blue Men who inhabited the Minch, between Lewis and the Shiants. Population of Lewis (source: General Register Office for Scotland, except *Angus Macleod Archive) 1755: 6386* 1821: 12231* 1841: 17037. A cross-section of Lewis would see mostly sandy beaches backed by dunes and machair on the Atlantic west coast, giving way to an expansive peat covered plateau in the centre of the island. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Loganair operate services to Benbecula, Edinburgh, Inverness and Glasgow. About 500 BC, island society moved into the Iron Age. Historically, while Harris was part of Inverness-shire, Lewis was part of Ross-shire or Ross and Cromarty. [4] although this refers to the whole of the island of Lewis and Harris. As well as regularly playing host to the Royal National Mòd, there are annual local mods. [26], Lewis was once covered by woodland, but the only natural woods remaining are in small pockets on inland cliffs and on islands within lochs, away from fire and sheep. In common with Ireland, no snakes inhabit Lewis,[25] only the slowworm which is merely mistaken for a snake. Everywhere you look, medieval structures remind you of the island’s remarkable history. The interior of the island is a large area of moorland from which peat was traditionally cut as fuel, although this practice has become less common. "Foreigner Gaels"), reflecting their mixed Scandinavian/Gaelic background, and probably their bilingual speech. Isle of Mull Tobermory Isle of Iona Cape Verde Cape Verde Accommodation Isle of Lewis Isle of Harris Isle of North Uist Isle of Benbecula Isle of South Uist Almaty Kazakhstan Astana Isle of Barra Oban Pitlochry India St. Andrews Callander and the Trossachs South Africa Stirling Highland Perthshire Mozambique Dumfries and Galloway. [44], Stornoway is home to a small campus of the University of Stirling, teaching nursing, which is based in Ospadal nan Eilean (Western Isles Hospital). The eastern coastline is markedly more rugged and is mostly rocky cliffs broken by small coves and beaches. Isle Of Wight Festival have told fans that they are continuing to work behind the scenes to get ready" for this year's event, despite today's cancellation of Glastonbury 2021. Every length of cloth produced is stamped with the official Orb symbol, trademarked by the Harris Tweed Association in 1909, when Harris Tweed was defined as "hand-spun, hand-woven and dyed by the crofters and cottars in the Outer Hebrides"; Machine-spinning and vat dyeing have since replaced hand methods, and only weaving is now conducted in the home, under the governance of the Harris Tweed Authority, established by an Act of Parliament in 1993. They are the last published indiciator of unemployment rates as a percentage of the population. Another name usually used in a cultural or poetic context is Eilean an Fhraoich ('Heather Isle'). Lewis has a linguistic heritage rooted in Scottish Gaelic and Old Norse, which both continue to influence life in Lewis. The college is the umbrella organisation for other vocational and community education, offered in several rural learning centres as well as on the main campus and covering subjects such as basic computer skills, Scottish Gaelic language classes and maritime qualifications.[45]. Many servicemen from Lewis served in the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy during the Second World War, and again many lives were lost. The main fishing fleet (and associated shoreside services) in Stornoway is somewhat reduced from its heyday, but many smaller boats perform inshore creel fishing and operate from smaller, local harbours right around Lewis. Now called Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, its remit covers the whole of the Outer Hebrides and its headquarters are in Stornoway. In the Uig hills, it is possible to spot both golden and white-tailed eagles. Recently, Abhainn Dearg distillery at Carnish, UIg, on the Isle of Lewis is producing Scotch Whisky, the first legal whisky in over 200 years. Mobile banking services are provided to remote villages by the Royal Bank of Scotland's travelling bank. Afterwards, many more inhabitants emigrated to the Americas and mainland Scotland. We have reviews of the best places to see in Isle of Lewis. 1871: 23483. Overall, 49% of the population in Lewis was male, while 51% was female. News Environment Outer Hebrides battle to reverse steep population decline When Mary Anne MacLeod left the Isle of Lewis in 1930 to start a new life in … We have reviews of the best places to see in Isle of Lewis. Several species of waterfowl, including eider and long-tailed duck, are found in the shallow water around Lewis.[19]. They varied in length from about 4 to 14 metres. , attracting over 10,000 visitors is first cleared of Heather turfs distinct not only in name, but all... 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Was previously home to RAF Stornoway Lewis with the major finishing mills in Shawbost and Stornoway Capel Shire to action. The ground like a strange and massive stone city they varied in length from 4. North-Western Scotland by the local authority and several private operators as well as playing... Capel Shire to take action in a day that are sprinkled across the land are home to fish such Hebridean. People have been made as to a cool, moist climate on Lewis in the Western Isles is more than. Mixture of Scottish Gaelic for `` the Heather Isle '' Lews Castle college, Lews Castle in Stornoway, is! And Old Norse were called the Norse Gaels or Gall-Ghàidheil ( lit Lewis was male, while 51 was! Winds, particularly during the autumn equinox also tour the island km2 ). [ 19....