|
The Outer Hebrides or Western Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar), also traditionally known as the Outer
Isles, 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.
Council
The islands form one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, originally
called Western Isles, although Na h-Eileanan Siar has now gained acceptance as the official name. The council
has its base in Stornoway on Lewis. Before
1975, some of the islands formed part of Inverness-shire and some
part of Ross and Cromarty. Western Isles constitutes a Lieutenancy Area.
Main island group
The main islands form an archipelago, which with their smaller surrounding
islands are sometimes known poetically as the Long Isle. The major islands include:Lewis and Harris, North
Uist, Benbecula, South Uist
and Barra. South of Barra lie the Barra
Isles, including Mingulay and Vatersay.
A large number of small islands surround the main islands. They include:
- Baleshare, Berneray, Boreray
- Calvay, Campay
- Eilean Chaluim
Chille, Eilean Iubhard,
Ensay
- Flaray, Floday, Flodday,
Floddaybeg, Floddaymore, Fuday, Fuiay
- Great Bernera, Gighay, Gilsay, Grimsay, Groay
- Hellisay, Hermetray
- Killegray, Kirkibost
- Lingay, Little Bernera
- Mealasta
- Opsay, Oronsay, Orosay
- Pabbay near Harris
- Ronay
- Scalpay, Scaravay, Scarp, Scotosay, Sgeotasaigh, Shillay,
Soay Beag, Soay Mor, Stromay, Stuley, Sursay
- Tahay, Taransay
- Vacsay, Vallay, Vuia Beg, Vuia Mor
- Wiay
Other islands
Small islands and island groups pepper the North Atlantic
surrounding the main island group:
To the west lie the Monarch Islands, Flannan Isles, Saint Kilda and Rockall, in increasing order of distance. The status of Rockall as part of the United Kingdom remains disputed. Confusingly, Saint Kilda is also known as the
West Isles.
To the east lie the Shiant Islands, located in the Minch.
To the north lie North Rona and Sula Sgeir, two small and remote islands. Not often included as part of the Outer Hebrides, they nevertheless
come under the administration of the Western Isles district.
Ferries
Ferry services operate on the following routes:
Other ferries operate between some of the islands.
External links
|