Lewis
(Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas
, , also Isle of Lewis
) is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides (an archipelago) of Scotland. The total area of Lewis is . [1]
Lewis is, in general, the lower lying part of Lewis and Harris, with the other part, Harris, being more mountainous. The flatter, more fertile land means Lewis contains the only town, Stornoway, and three-quarters of the population of the Western Isles. Beyond human habitation, the island's diverse habitats are home to an assortment of flora and fauna, such as the golden eagle, red deer and seals and are recognised in a number of conservation areas.
Lewis is of Presbyterian tradition with a rich history, having once been part of the Norse Kingdom of Mann and the Isles. Today, life is very different to elsewhere in Scotland with Sabbath observance, the Gaelic language and peat cutting retaining more importance than elsewhere. Lewis has a rich cultural heritage as can be seen from its myths and legends as well as the local literary and musical traditions.
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LEWIS TICKETS
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Name of the island
| Pronunciation
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| Scots Gaelic:
| Eilean Leòdhais (help·info)
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| Scots Gaelic:
| Eilean an Fhraoich (help·info)
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The
Gaelic name
Leòdhas
may be derived from
Norse Ljoðahús
("song house")
[2], although other origins have been suggested - most notably the Gaelic
leogach
("marshy")
[3]. It is probably the place referred to as
Limnu
by
Ptolemy, which also means "marshy"
[4]. It is also known as the "Isle of Lewis" (Gaelic:
Eilean Leòdhais
). Another name usually used in a cultural or poetic context is
Eilean an Fhraoich
, ("The Heather Isle").
This name however refers to the whole of the island of
Lewis and Harris.
History
The first evidence of
human habitation on Lewis is found in
peat samples which indicate that about 8,000 years ago, much of the native woodland was torched to make way for grassland to allow
deer to graze. The earliest
archaeological remains date from about 5,000 years ago. At that time, people began to settle in permanent farms rather than following their herds. The small houses of these people have been found throughout the
Western Isles, in particular, at
Dail Mhor,
Carloway.
thumbThe more striking great monuments of this period are the temples and communal burial cairns at places like
Calanais.
About 500 BC, island society moved into the
Iron Age. 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. The best remaining example of a broch in Lewis is at
Dun Charlabhagh. The
Scots are recorded as arriving from around 1AD, bringing the
Gaelic language with them.
[5] As
Christianity began to spread through the islands in the sixth and later centuries, following
Columban missionaries, Lewis was inhabited by the
Picts.
at the
British MuseumIn the 9th century AD, the
Vikings began to settle on Lewis, after years of raiding from the sea. The Norse invaders intermarried with local families and abandoned their pagan beliefs. At this time, most buildings changed their forms from being round to rectangular, following the Scandinavian style. At this time, Lewis was part of the
Kingdom of Mann and the Isles and officially part of Norway. The
Lewis chessmen, which were found on the island in 1831, date from the time of
Viking rule. The people were called the
Gall-Ghaidheil, the ‘Foreigner Gaels', reflecting their mixed Scandinavian/Gaelic background, and probably their bilingual speech.
[6] The Norse language persists in many island placenames and some personal names to this day, although the latter are fairly evenly spread across Scottish Gaeldom.
Lewis (and the rest of the Western Isles) became part of Scotland once more in 1266 following the
Treaty of Perth when it was ceded by the Kingdom of Norway. Under Scottish rule, the
Lordship of the Isles emerged as the most important power in north-western Scotland by the 14th century. The Lords of the Isles were based on
Islay, but controlled all of the
Hebrides. They were descended from
Somerled (Somhairle) Mac Gillibride, a Gall-Gaidheil lord who had held the Hebrides and West Coast two hundred years earlier. 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 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. However the adventurers were unsuccessful and possession eventually passed to the Mackenzies of Kintail in 1609 when Coinneach, Lord MacKenzie, bought out the
lowlanders.
Following the
1745 rebellion, and
Prince Charles Edward Stewart's flight to France, the use of Gaelic was discouraged, rents were demanded in cash rather than kind, and the wearing of folk dress was made illegal. Emigration to the New World increasingly became an escape for those who could afford it during the latter half of the century. Lewis was bought by
Sir James Matheson in 1844, but subsequent famine and land reform forced vast numbers off their lands, and increased again the flood of emigrants. Lewis was the site of numerous 'land struggles' which have recently been commemorated in modern cairn-style monuments in various villages.
During the
First World War, thousands of islanders served in the forces, many losing their lives, including over 200 naval reservists from the island who were returning home after the war when the Admiralty yacht
HMY Iolaire
, sank within sight of Stornoway harbour. Many servicemen from Lewis served in the
Royal and
Merchant Navy during the
Second World War and again, many lives were lost. Following the war, many more inhabitants emigrated to the Americas and mainland Scotland.
In 1918 the Isle of Lewis was bought by
William Lever with the intention of making
Stornoway an industrial town and building a fish cannery, his intentions were received badly by the islanders. He gave Lewis to its people in 1923, and concentrated his efforts on Harris, where the town
Leverburgh takes his name.
Historical sites
The Isle of Lewis has a variety of locations of historical and archaeological interest including:
- Callanish Stones;
- Dun Carloway Broch;
- Iron Age houses near Bostadh (Great Bernera);
- The Garenin Blackhouse Village in Carloway and the Black House at Arnol;
- Bragar whale bone arch;
- St. Columba's church in Aignish;
- Teampull Mholuaidh in Ness;
- Clach an Truiseil monolith;
- Clach Na Thursa, Carloway
- Bonnie Prince Charlie's Monument, Arnish;
- Lews Castle;
- Butt of Lewis cliffs and lighthouse;
- Dùn Èistean, a small island which is the ancestral home of the Lewis Morrisons.
There are also numerous 'lesser' stone circles and the remains of five further
brochs.
Geography and geology
A cross-section of Lewis would see mostly sandy beaches backed by dunes and
machair on the east coast, giving way to an expansive peat covered plateau in the centre of the island. The Atlantic coastline is markedly more rugged and is mostly rocky cliffs broken by small coves and beaches. The more fertile nature of the eastern side led to the majority of the population settling there, including the largest (and only) town,
Stornoway. Aside from the village of Achmore in the centre of the island, all settlements are on the coast.
[7]
Compared to Harris, Lewis is relatively flat, save in the south-east, where Ben More reaches , and in the south-west, where Mealasbhal at is the highest point; but there are only eleven peaks exceeding in height.
[8] Southern Lewis also has a large number of freshwater lochs compared to the north of the island.
South Lewis, Harris and North Uist collectively is a
National Scenic Area, and there are 4 geographical
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on Lewis - Glen Valtos, Cnoc a' Chapuill, Port of Ness and Tolsta Head.
[9]
The coastline is severely indented into a number of large sea lochs, such as Lochs Resort and Seaforth which form part of the border with Harris, Loch Roag surrounding the island of Great Bernera and Loch Erisort. The principal capes are the Butt of Lewis, in the extreme north, where the cliffs are nearly high and crowned with a lighthouse, the light of which is visible for 19 m.; Tolsta Head, Tiumpan Head and Cabag Head, on the east; Renish Point, in the extreme south; and, on the west, Toe Head and Gallon Head.
The largest island associated with Lewis is Bernera or
Great Bernera in the district of
Uig and is linked to the mainland of Lewis by a bridge opened in 1953.
Geology
Lewis is composed of
gneiss rocks, excepting 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, originally thought to be Torridonian,
now considered to probably be
Permo-
Triassic in age.
[10] Sedimentary rocks cover some low-lying areas around the Broad Bay area as well.
Climate
Exposure to the Atlantic Ocean and the
Gulf Stream lead to a cool, moist climate on Lewis. There is little temperature difference between summer and winter, both of which are very cloudy, along with significant rainfall and frequent high winds, particularly during the autumn equinox. These winds have led to Lewis being designated a potential site for a significant wind-farm which has caused much controversy amongst the population.
| Average / Month
| Year
| Jan
| Feb
| Mar
| Apr
| May
| Jun
| Jul
| Aug
| Sep
| Oct
| Nov
| Dec
|
| High temperature Celsius (°F)
| 11 (52)
| 7 (44)
| 7 (44)
| 8 (46)
| 10 (50)
| 12 (54)
| 14 (58)
| 16 (60)
| 16 (61)
| 14 (58)
| 12 (53)
| 9 (48)
| 7 (45)
|
| Low temperature Celsius (°F)
| 5 (41)
| 2 (35)
| 2 (35)
| 2 (36)
| 3 (38)
| 6 (42)
| 8 (47)
| 10 (50)
| 10 (50)
| 8 (47)
| 6 (43)
| 4 (38)
| 2 (36)
|
| Days of Air Frost
| 34
| 7.22
| 7.01
| 6.52
| 2.62
| 0.56
| 0.01
| 0.00
| 0.00
| 0.02
| 0.86
| 3.48
| 6.30
|
| Rainfall (mm)
| 1197
| 134.41
| 98.48
| 93.86
| 72.70
| 61.86
| 64.89
| 74.21
| 89.63
| 106.44
| 132.21
| 132.37
| 135.78
|
| Hours of Sun
| 1223
| 34.46
| 63.43
| 104.85
| 147.07
| 192.18
| 166.44
| 127.94
| 132.57
| 106.63
| 77.19
| 44.26
| 26.21
|
| Temperature figures are average figures for that month; other figures are averages of monthly totals.
|
| ''Source: (Data Jan 1874-Nov 2006)
|
Nature
There are 15 SSSIs on Lewis in the biology category, spread across the island. 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.
Birds
Many species of
seabirds inhabit the coastal areas of Lewis, such as
shag,
gannets,
fulmars,
kittiwakes,
guillemots and the ubiquitous
seagulls.
In the
Uig hills, it is possible to spot
golden eagles; it has also been claimed that
white-tailed eagles have been seen in the area.
[11] In the
Pairc area, it is possible to see feeding
oyster catchers and
curlews. A few pairs of
peregrine falcons survive on coastal cliffs and
merlin and
buzzard are not uncommon anywhere on hill and moor. An important feature of the winter bird life is the great diversity of wildfowl. A variety of
duck, such as
eider and long-tailed are found in the shallow water around Lewis.
[12]
Marine life
Salmon frequent several Lewis rivers after crossing the Atlantic. Many of the fresh-water lochs are home to fish such as
trout. Other freshwater fish present include
arctic char, European
eel, 3 and 9 spined
sticklebacks, thick-lipped
mullet and
flounder.
Offshore, it is common to see
seals, particularly in Stornoway harbour, and with luck,
dolphins,
porpoises,
sharks and even the occasional
whale can be encountered.
Land mammals
There are only two native land mammals in the Western Isles, red
deer and
otter. The
rabbit,
blue hare,
hedgehog, brown and black
rat,
feral cat,
mink and
polecat were introduced by man. The origin of
mice and
voles is uncertain.
are another introduced species (escapees from
fur farms) and cause problems for native ground-nesting birds, the local fishing industry and poultry farmers.
[13] Due to this impact and following a successful eradication
[14] of the species from the Uists and Barra, the second and ongoing phase of the Hebridean Mink Project aims to rid mink from Lewis and Harris in similar fashion.
[15]
There are claims that the Stornoway castle grounds are home to
bats.
[16] In addition, there are farmed animals such as
sheep,
cattle and a few
pigs.
Reptiles and amphibians
In common with Ireland, no
snakes inhabit Lewis,
[17] only the
slow-worm which is merely mistaken for a snake. Actually a legless lizard, it is the sole member of its order present. The common
frog may be found in the centre of the island
[17] though it, along with any
newts or
toads present are introduced species.
Insects
The island's most famous insect resident is the Scottish
midge which is ever-present near water at certain times of the year.
During the summer months, several species of
butterflies and
dragon flies can be found, especially outwith Stornoway.
The richness of insect life in Lewis is evident from the abundance of carnivorous plants that thrive in parts of the island.
Plant life
The
machair is noted for different species of
orchid and associated vegetation such as various
grasses. Three
heathers; ling, bell heather and cross-leaved heather are predominant in the large areas of
moorland vegetation which also holds large numbers of
insectivorous plants such as
sundews. The expanse of heather-covered moorland explains the name
Eilean an Fhraoich
,
Gaelic for "The Heather Isle".
[19]
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 recent years,
Forestry Commission plantations of
spruce and
pine were planted, although most of the pines were destroyed by
moth infestation. The most important mixed woods are those planted around
Lews Castle in Stornoway, dating from the mid 19th century.
[20]
Politics and government
Historically, while Harris was part of Inverness-shire, Lewis was part of
Ross-shire or
Ross and Cromarty until the establishment of the Western Isles Islands Council in 1975. Now called
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, its remit covers the whole of the Outer Hebrides and its headquarters are in Stornoway.
Lewis is home to the majority of the Western Isles electorate and 6 of the 9 multi-member council wards are within Lewis and one is shared with Harris. 22 councillors are effectively elected by Lewis residents using the
Single Transferable Vote system, and following the 2007 elections 19 are independents, 1 has Labour and 2 SNP party affiliation.
[22]
The Isle of Lewis is in the
Highlands electoral region and is part of the identical
Western Isles Scottish Parliamentiary 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.
Current representatives
- Scottish Parliament: Alasdair Allan MSP (SNP), succeeding Alasdair Morrison (Labour)
- UK Parliament: Angus MacNeil MP (SNP), succeeding Calum MacDonald (Labour)
Demographics
Lewis' main settlement, the only
burgh on the Outer Hebrides, is Stornoway (
Steòrnabhagh
), from which
ferries sail to
Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. In the 2001 census Lewis had a usually resident population of 18,489.
The island's settlements are on or near the
coasts or
sea lochs, being particularly concentrated on the north east coast. 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. The southern part of the island, adjoining Harris, is more mountainous with inland
lochs.
Parishes and districts of Lewis
- There are four parishes: Barvas (Barabhas
), Lochs (Na Lochan
), Stornoway (Steòrnabhagh
), and Uig on which the original civil registration districts were based. The district of Carloway (after the village of that name) which hitherto had fallen partly within the parishes of Lochs and Uig, became a separate civil registration district in 1859 .
- The districts of Lewis are Ness (Nis
), Carloway (Càrlabhagh
), Back, Lochs (Na Lochan
), Park (A' Phàirc
), Point (An Rubha
), Stornoway, and Uig. These designations are traditional and in use by the entire population.
- For civil registration purposes Lochs (Na Lochan
) is nowadays split into North Lochs (Na Lochan a Tuath
) and South Lochs (Na Lochan a Deas
).
- The West Side is a generic designation for the area covering the villages from Borve to Shawbost (Siabost
).
It is claimed that the site of the Stornoway War Memorial was chosen as it would be visible from at least one location in each of the four parishes; therefore, it may be possible to see all four parishes of Lewis from the top of the monument.
[23]
Settlements
While Lewis has only one town, Stornoway, with a population of approx 8,000, there are also several large villages and groupings of villages on Lewis, such as
North Tolsta, Carloway and
Leurbost with significant populations. Near Stornoway,
Laxdale,
Sandwick and
Holm, although still de-facto villages, have now become quasi-suburbs of Stornoway. The population of the greater-Stornoway area including these (and other) villages would be nearer 12,000.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of villages in Lewis according to their location:
| Back
| Ness
| North Lochs
| Park
(South Lochs)
| Point
| Uig
| West Side
| Stornoway area
|
| Back, Coll, Gress, North Tolsta, Tong
| South Dell, North Dell, Cross, Swainbost, Habost, Lionel, Port of Ness, Eoropie, Fivepenny, Knockaird, Adabrock, Eorodale, Skigersta, Cross-Skigersta Road
| Balallan, Crossbost, Leurbost
| Gravir, Cromore
| Aird, Aignish, Flesherin, Lower Bayble, Portnaguran, Portvoller, Shulishader, Upper Bayble
| Aird Uig, Cliff, Kneep, Timsgarry, Valtos
| Arnol, Ballantrushal, Barvas, Borve, Bragar, Breasclete, Brue, Callanish, Carloway, Garynahine, Shader, Shawbost
| Branahuie, Holm, Laxdale, Marybank, Melbost, Newmarket, Newvalley, Parkend, Plasterfield, Sandwick, Steinish
|
Economy
Industry
Traditional industries on Lewis are
crofting,
fishing and
weaving. Though historically important they are currently in decline and crofting in particular is little more than a subsistence venture today.
Despite the name the
Harris tweed industry is today focused in Lewis with the major finishing mills in Shawbost and Stornoway. 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. 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."
[24]
Aside from the concentration of industry and services in the Stornoway area many of the historical sites have associated visitor centres, shops or cafes.
[25] There is a pharmaceutical plant near
Breasclete which specialises in
fatty acid research.
[26]
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.
Fish farms are present in many of the sea lochs and along with the onshore processing and transportation required the industry as a whole is a major employer.
Commerce
Stornoway is the commercial centre of Lewis, there are several national chains with shops in the town as well as numerous local businesses. Outwith Stornoway, many villages have an all-purpose shop (often combined with a post-office). Some villages have more than one, with these usually being specialist stores such as pharmacies or petrol stations.
Itinerant, travelling shops also tour the island visiting some of the more remote locations. The ease of transport to Stornoway and the advent of the internet have led to many of the village shops closing in recent times.
Transport
A daily
Caledonian MacBrayne ferry (
MV Isle of Lewis
) sails from Stornoway to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland, taking 2 hours 40 minutes connecting Lewis with the mainland. There are an average of two return crossings a day, with an increase and reduction in frequency in summer and winter months respectively. As ferry traffic has increased, a second ship (MV
Muirneag
) now provides a single early morning sailing to carry most of the island's freight lorries. Other ferries sailing from Harris are easily accessible by road enabling transport to
Skye and
Uist.
Suggestions for the possibility of an undersea tunnel linking Lewis to the Scottish mainland were raised in early 2007. One of the possible routes, between Stornoway and Ullapool, would be over long and hence become the longest road tunnel in the world;
[27] [28] however, shorter routes would be possible.
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. These services are provided by the local authority and several private operators as well as some community-run organisations.
Stornoway Airport is away from the town itself, and is located next to the village of
Melbost. From here services operate to
Aberdeen,
Benbecula,
Edinburgh,
Inverness and
Glasgow, with flights from
Flybe franchisee
Loganair,
Eastern Airways and
Highland Airways. The airport is also the base of a
HM Coastguard Search & Rescue
Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, and was previously home to
RAF Stornoway.
Peats
Peat is still cut as a fuel in many areas of Lewis. Peat is usually cut in late spring with a tool called a peat knife or tosg (sometimes
toirsgian
, or
tairsgeir
) which has a long wooden handle with an angled blade on one end. The peat bank is first cleared of heather turfs. The peat, now exposed, is cut using the peat knife and the peats thrown out on the bank to dry. A good peat cutter can cut 1000 peats in a day.
[29]
Once dried,the peats are carted to the croft and built into a large stack. These often resembled the shape of the croft house - broad, curved at each end and tapered to a point about 2 metres high. They varied in length from about 4 to 14 metres. Peat stacking also follows local customs and a well built peat stack can be a work of art. Peat stacks provide additional shelter to houses. A croft can burn as many as 15,000 - 18,000 peats in a year.
The odour of the peat-smoke, especially in winter time, can add to the general atmosphere of the island. 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. 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.
Religion
Religion is important in Lewis, with much of the population belonging to the
Free Church and
Church of Scotland (both
Presbyterian in tradition). 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 from 19 July 2009
[30]. While Presbyterianism dominates Lewis, other denominations and other religions have a presence with a
Catholic church, a
Mormon church and a
Jehovah's Witness kingdom hall all present in Stornoway.
Education
School education in Lewis is under the remit of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, there are a total of 23 schools covering the 5-18 age range.
[31] Unusual features are the prevalence of
Gaelic medium education (offered in 15 of 22 primary schools)
[32] and the five 2-year secondary schools in communities outside Stornoway. Pupils who attend the rural 2-year secondaries then move to the
Nicolson Institute, the only six-year secondary school on the island. The large number of village schools lead to necessarily small rolls, and further recent falls in pupil numbers have led to plans being drawn up for closures including all of the rural secondary departments.
[33] The closure plans have been deferred pending a full review
[34], but upcoming changes to the curriculum (a change to a 3 year junior secondary structure) would seem to place the rural secondaries under threat of change if nothing else.
Stornoway is home to a small campus of the
University of Stirling, teaching nursing, which is based in
Ospadal nan Eilean
(Western Isles Hospital). There is also a further education college,
Lews Castle College, which is part of the
UHI Millennium Institute. 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, Gaelic language classes and maritime qualifications.
[35]
Culture and sport
Language
Lewis has a linguistic heritage rooted in Gaelic and
Old Norse, which both continue to influence life in Lewis. Today, both Gaelic and English are spoken in Lewis, but in day to day life, a hybrid of English and Gaelic (
Highland English) is very common.
[36] As a result of the Gaelic influence, the Lewis accent is frequently considered to sound more Irish or Welsh than stereotypically Scottish in some quarters. The Gaelic culture in the Western Isles is more prominent than in any other part of Scotland. Gaelic is still the language of choice amongst many islanders and around 60% of islanders speak Gaelic, whilst 70% of the resident population have some knowledge of Gaelic (including reading, writing, speaking or a combination of the three). Most signposts on the islands are written in both English and
Gàidhlig
and much day-to-day business is carried out in the Gaelic language.
[37] Almost all of the Gaelic speakers are bilingual.
Most of the place names in Lewis and Harris come from Old Norse. The name Lewis is the English spelling of the Gaelic
Leòdhas
which comes from the
Old Norse Ljóðhús
, as Lewis is named in
medieval Norwegian maps of the island.
Ljóðhús
translates from
Old Norse to English as
Home of the Poet
(Ljóð = Poet, hús = house). The 12th century ruler of the Island,
Leod
, taking his name from the Norse word for Poet.
Media and the arts
Lewis has been home to, or inspired, many writers. As well as regularly playing host to the
Royal National Mod, there are annual local mods. Stornoway Castle Green hosts the annual 3 day
Hebridean Celtic Festival in July, attracting over 10,000 visitors. The festival includes events such as ceilidhs, dances and special concerts featuring storytelling, song and music with performers from all round the Isles and beyond.
The radio station
Isles FM is based in Stornoway and broadcasts on 103FM, featuring a mixture of Gaelic and English programming. The town is also home to a studio operated by
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, and Studio Alba, an independent television studio from where the Gaelic
TV channel TeleG is broadcast.
The
Stornoway Gazette
is the main local paper, covering Lewis and beyond and is published weekly.
The Hebridean
is a sister paper of the Gazette and also provides local coverage.
[38] 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.
[39] [40]
Sport
thumbThere is a good provision of sporting grounds and sports centres in Lewis. Sports such as
Football,
Rugby union and
Golf are popular.
- Football is the most popular amateur sport in Lewis with Goathill Park in Stornoway hosting special matches involving select teams and visiting clubs and other organisations. Local teams currently participate in the Lewis and Harris Football League .
- Shinty is not as popular as in the rest of the West of Scotland, but the Lewis Camanachd team is based around the town.
- Attached to the Nicolson Institute School is the Ionad Spors Leòdhas (Lewis Sports Centre), an all-weather pitch and running track.
- The Lews Castle Grounds is the home of Stornoway Golf Club (the only 18-hole golf course in the Outer Hebrides).
- Angling is a very popular pass-time in Lewis as there are several good lochs and rivers for fishing.
- As Lewis is an island, various water sports, such as surfing are popular activities.
- Lewis has a terrain very suited to hillwalking, particularly in Uig and near the border
with Harris.
Myths and legends
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.
[41]
Gastronomy
- Each year, men from Ness go out to the island of Sula Sgeir in late August for two weeks to harvest young gannets known locally as Guga, which are a local delicacy.
- Lewis has many hotels and restaurants serving varied menus from the more remote locations to the centre of Stornoway. In the town, there are Chinese, Thai and Indian restaurants as well as numerous establishments with authentic Scottish menus. Chefs use local produce as much as possible, and the crofting and fishing industry on the islands ensures they have a wide range of high quality ingredients from which to choose. Naturally, fresh seafood is featured heavily with the catch landed that morning, often put straight into the pot.
People with Lewis connections
- Sheilagh M. Kesting
, first woman minister to be nominated to be Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
- Angus MacAskill
, the strongest man to have ever lived - born in Berneray and briefly lived in Stornoway before emigrating to Canada.
- Cathy MacDonald
, TV presenter
- John MacKay
, anchorman of STV News at 6 Central
- Alexander MacKenzie
, explorer, after whom the Mackenzie River in Canada is named
- Colin Mackenzie
, 1st Surveyor-General of India
- Anne MacKenzie
, BBC current affairs presenter and radio presenter
- Ken MacLeod
, science fiction writer
- Hans Matheson
, plays the title role in Granada's £8.5m serialisation of Boris Pasternak's novel, Doctor Zhivago
.
- Campbell Morrison
, world famous entrepreneur related to John Wayne and Jim Morrison.
- Arthur Pink
, Christian evangelist and Biblical scholar.
- Donald Stewart
, politician
- Donald Trump
, American billionaire, whose mother came from Tong, a village from Stornoway.
- Derick Thomson
, Scottish Gaelic poet, born on Lewis, and educated in Stornoway.
- Alistair Darling
, Chancellor of the Exchequer and MP for Edinburgh Central has a house in the village of Breacleit.
- Alyth McCormack
, singer
- Alasdair White
, musician (Fiddle, Whistle, Pipes, Bouzouki) plays with Battlefield Band
See also
- Lewis and Harris
- History of the Outer Hebrides
- Hebridean Myths and Legends
- Seonaidh
- Gannet
- Lewis Camanachd
References
- Thompson, Francis (1968) ''Harris and Lewis''. Newton Abbott. David & Charles. Page 15. The sub-totals provided are: Land - {{convert|404184|acre|ha}}; inland water - {{convert|24863|acre|ha}}; saltmarsh - {{convert|230|acre|ha}}; foreshore - {{convert|7775|acre|ha}}; tidal water - {{convert|150|acre|ha}}.
- Placenames
- Murray, W.H. (1966) ''The Hebrides''. London. Heinemann. p. 173.
- Roman Map of Britain
- Macdonald, D. (1978). ''Lewis: A History of the Island''. Edinburgh: Gordon Wright
- Local Authority Web Site
- Pankhurst R.J. & Mullin, J.M. (1991) ''Flora of the Outer Hebrides'', London: HMSO
- 1911 Britannica
- Scottish National Heritage - Protected Areas
- Steel, R.J. & Wilson, A.C. 1975. Sedimentation and tectonism (?Permo-Triassic) on the margin of the North Minch Basin, Lewis. Journal of the Geological Society, 131, 181-200.
- Isle-of-Lewis.com
- Local Authority Web Site
- SNH - Hebridean Mink Project
- BBC News
- Hebridean Mink Project
- An Introduction to the Bats of Scotland
- Morris, Dr P. (1984). ''Animals of Britain, Field Guide to the''. London: Reader's Digest Association
- Morris, Dr P. (1984). ''Animals of Britain, Field Guide to the''. London: Reader's Digest Association
- Scotsman piece with 'Eilean an Fhraoich' translation
- Local Authority Web Site
- Article on flags for Hebridean Islands
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - Council Members
- Stornoway Historical Society.
- Harris Tweed Authority, "Fabric History", retrieved 21 May 2007.
- Calanais Stones Visitor Centre
- Scottish Enterprise - Life Sciences Directory
- Stornoway Today
- ''The Independent''
- Am Baile Education - Crofting
- Title Unavailable
- Local Authority Education Dept.
- Local Authority - Gaelic Medium
- BBC News
- BBC News
- Lews Castle College - Learning Centres
- Linguae-Celticae.Org
- Local Authority Web Site
- Johnston Press - Publishers
- Rudhach - Community Newspaper
- - Breasclete Community Newspaper
- Wonder Tales From Scottish Myth and Legend (1917)