St Kilda has 60,000 northern gannets, amounting to 24% of the world population; 49,000 breeding pairs of Leach's petrel, up to 90% of the European population; and 136,000 pairs of puffin and 67,000 northern fulmar pairs, about 30% and 13% of the respective UK totals. Figure 4: Age structure of the Outer Hebrides, 2009 and 2019. [12], Much of the western coastline of the islands is machair, a fertile low-lying dune pastureland. The oldest site found so far for these hunter-dweller ancestors is near Northton in the south of Harris, which has been dated to 9000 years ago, and no … [78], In Scotland, the Celtic Iron Age way of life, often troubled but never extinguished by Rome, re-asserted itself when the legions abandoned any permanent occupation in 211 AD. The districts are Stornoway representing the outer Hebrides, and on the west coast, from north to south, Kinlochbervie, Lochinver, Ullapool, Mallaig, Oban and Campbeltown. [88], The Hebrides were now part of Kingdom of the Isles, whose rulers were themselves vassals of the Kings of Norway. [64][65][66][67] Cladh Hallan on South Uist, the only site in the UK where prehistoric mummies have been found, and the impressive ruins of Dun Carloway broch on Lewis both date from the Iron Age. (19 January 2007). Retrieved 20 October 2012. The Outer Hebrides is a crescent-shaped archipelago of 200 islands which lies around 65 kilometres (40 miles) off the northwestern coast of mainland Scotland. In 2003 Scottish Natural Heritage undertook culls of hedgehogs in the area, but these were halted in 2007; trapped animals are now relocated to the mainland. The council has its base in Stornoway on Lewis and is often known locally simply as "the Comhairle" or a' Chomhairle. [54] The gneiss's delicate pink colours are exposed throughout the islands and it is sometimes referred to by geologists as "The Old Boy". Situated west of Scotland’s mainland is an archipelago known as the Outer Hebrides. [81], The later Iron Age inhabitants of the northern and western Hebrides were probably Pictish, although the historical record is sparse. [116] Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the local authority, employs 2,000 people, making it the largest employer in the Outer Hebrides. [31], The bumblebee Bombus jonellus var. [145][146], Gaelic music is popular in the islands and the Lewis and Harris Traditional Music Society plays an active role in promoting the genre. The creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the discovery of substantial deposits of North Sea oil in 1965, the establishment of a unitary local authority for the islands in 1975 and more recently the renewables sector have all contributed to a degree of economic stability in recent decades. [30] Mingulay is an important breeding ground for razorbills, with 9,514 pairs, 6.3% of the European population. 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. [102] A new era of Hebridean involvement in the affairs of the wider world was about to commence. Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of Lewis" Volume II, Part II, Murray and Pullar (1910) "Lochs of North Uist" Volume II, Part II, Crone, B.A. In 1506 the Earl of Huntly besieged and captured Stornoway Castle using cannon. The Outer Hebrides, often called the Western Isles, make up an island chain off the west coast of Scotland.It is also a parliamentary constituency. [110] Nonetheless emigration and military service became the choice of many[111] and the archipelago's populations continued to dwindle throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries. So the next time you are up in the Outer Hebrides, please use our facts to impress and educate your fellow travellers! [50] The status of Rockall, which is 367 kilometres (228 mi) to the west of North Uist and which the Island of Rockall Act 1972 decreed to be a part of the Western Isles, remains a matter of international dispute. [46], Some of the smaller islands continue to contribute to modern culture. [32] The St Kilda wren is a subspecies of wren whose range is confined to the islands whose name it bears. The Outer Hebrides population also has a higher percentage of individuals in the older age groups and correspondingly less in the younger age groups. Some are not geologically part of the Outer Hebrides, but are administratively and in most cases culturally, part of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The landscape is rocky and mountainous, but also lush and verdant - due in no small part to the large amounts of rain which tend to fall. MacMahon, Peter and Walker, Helen (18 May 2007) "Winds of change sweep Scots town halls". Magh Domhna means "the plain of Domhna (or Domon)", but the precise meaning of the text is not clear. But in the sphere of economics their policy apparently was of little service to the community. [123], The Outer Hebrides became a unitary council area in 1975, although in most of the rest of Scotland similar unitary councils were not established until 1996. 3: The Outer Hebrides offers attractive opportunities that improve the quality of life, wellbeing and health for all our people (Eds) (2003), McKirdy, Alan Gordon, John & Crofts, Roger (2007), This page was last edited on 8 November 2020, at 10:25. The northern island is Lewis and Harris.South of Lewis and Harris is a series of islands, such as South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist.The Outer Herides includes a number of even smaller islands. [72] Pliny probably took his information from Pytheas of Massilia who visited Britain sometime between 322 and 285 BC. [75], In modern Gaelic the islands are sometimes referred to collectively as An t-Eilean Fada (the Long Island)[55] or Na h-Eileanan a-Muigh (the Outer Isles). [90] Although their contribution to the islands can still be found in personal and placenames, the archaeological record of the Norse period is very limited. There followed a period of peace, but all too soon the clans were at loggerheads again. 1: T he Outer Hebrides retains and attracts people to ensure a sustainable population. 11–13, Gammeltoft, Peder "Scandinavian Naming-Systems in the Hebrides: A Way of Understanding how the Scandinavians were in Contact with Gaels and Picts?" Looking back further from 1901 to 2011 the population of the Outer Hebrides has declined by 40% (46,000 in 1901).  The population change from 1901 to 2011  is illustrated in figure 3 below. The largest settlement in the Outer Hebrides is Stornoway on Lewis, which has a population of about 8,100. [55][Note 3], Granite intrusions are found in the parish of Barvas in west Lewis, and another forms the summit plateau of the mountain Roineabhal in Harris. The historian W. C. MacKenzie was moved to write:[101]. Wilson, Neil and Murphy, Alan "Destination Scotland". The Western Isles is a member of the International Island Games Association. Scottish Gaelic is the predominant spoken language, although in a few areas English speakers form a majority. According to the writer W. H. Murray if a visitor asks an islander for a weather forecast "he will not, like a mainlander answer dry, wet or sunny, but quote you a figure from the Beaufort Scale. Within ten minutes the ship began to founder and break up casting 450 people into the raging sea. [14] The Uists and their immediate outliers have a combined area of 745.4 square kilometres (288 sq mi). Traditional Harris Tweed has become just one example of how the industry of the Outer Hebrides has impacted well beyond their shores. Bill Lawson has been specialising in the Family and Social History in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland for over 40 years, and is widely recognised as an authority in the area. For the parliamentary constituencies, see, Murray (1973) notes that "Western Isles" has tended to mean "Outer Hebrides" since the creation of the. [105] The position was exacerbated by the failure of the islands' kelp industry, which thrived from the 18th century until the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815[106] and large scale emigration became endemic. The Outer Hebrides is estimated to have had the highest population decline in Scotland over the last 12 months. The Roman presence in Scotland was little more than a series of brief interludes within a longer continuum of indigenous development. [129] Nonetheless, by 1971 most areas were still more than 75% Gaelic speaking – with the exception of Stornoway, Benbecula and South Uist at 50-74%. The tiny Beasts of Holm off the east coast of Lewis were the site of the sinking of HMS Iolaire during the first few hours of 1919,[141] one of the worst maritime disasters in United Kingdom waters during the 20th century. [99][100] By this time Lewis was held by the Mackenzies of Kintail, (later the Earls of Seaforth), who pursued a more enlightened approach, investing in fishing in particular. 30 Fascinating Facts from the Scottish Hebrides 1) Dunaad is the site of the Kings of Dal Riata – regarded as the first Scottish kings. At high water the runways are under the sea so flight times vary with the tide.[136][137]. In spite of the conditions, islanders tried to rescue the passengers and crew. [23][24] South Uist is considered the best place in the UK for the aquatic plant Slender Naiad, which is a European Protected Species. The Highland Clearances of the 19th century destroyed communities throughout the Highlands and Islands as the human populations were evicted and replaced with sheep farms. In 2019, the ‘median age in the Outer Hebrides was estimated to be 48.7 years for males and 50.3 years for females with the following age group breakdowns by sex: Males (17% under 16 years; 60% of working age; 23% of pensionable age); Females (15% under 16 years; 58% of working age; and 27% of pensionable age). There are 53 Sites of Special Scientific Interest of which the largest are Loch an Duin, North Uist (151 square kilometres (37,000 acres)) and North Harris (127 square kilometres (31,000 acres)). Lady Gordon Cathcart took legal action against the "raiders" but the visiting judge took the view that she had neglected her duties as a landowner and that "long indifference to the necessities of the cottars had gone far to drive them to exasperation". Western Isles Council is responsible for four secondary schools across the islands: the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway (around 1,000 students), Sir E Scott School in Tarbert ( approx. The colonists tried again in 1605 with the same result but a third attempt in 1607 was more successful, and in due course Stornoway became a Burgh of Barony. [113] Millennia of continuous occupation notwithstanding, many of the remoter islands were abandoned — Mingulay in 1912, Hirta in 1930, and Ceann Iar in 1942 among them. Figure 1 below plots the estimated population of the Outer Hebrides over the last ten years (2009-2019). [142], At the time of the 2001 Census, 42% of the population identified themselves as being affiliated with the Church of Scotland, with 13% Roman Catholic and 28% with other Christian churches. This shows a decrease of 0.4% (110 persons) from mid 2018 to mid 2019. [97] The House of Stuart's attempts to control the Outer Hebrides were then at first desultory and little more than punitive expeditions. This situation lasted until the partitioning of the Western Isles in 1156, at which time the Outer Hebrides remained under Norwegian control while the Inner Hebrides broke out under Somerled, the Norse-Celtic kinsman of the Manx royal house. The best known find from this time is the Lewis chessmen, which date from the mid 12th century. It has a population of around 130, scattered along the 5 km or so of road. With the implementation of the Treaty of Union in 1707 the Hebrides became part of the new Kingdom of Great Britain, but the clans' loyalties to a distant monarch were not strong. As figure 4 illustrates, the greatest decline by age group has occurred in the 30-44 year category (from representing 18.8% of the population in 2009 to 15.9% in 2019). The Outer Hebrides are administered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and had a population … 187 students), Sgoil Lionacleit in Benbecula (approx. Hunter (2000) states that in relation to King Bridei I of the Picts in the sixth century AD: "As for Shetland, Orkney, Skye and the Western Isles, their inhabitants, most of whom appear to have been Pictish in culture and speech at this time, are likely to have regarded Bridei as a fairly distant presence. Indech, son of the goddess Domnu, who ruled over the deep seas). On 4 May 1746, the "Young Pretender" Charles Edward Stuart hid on Eilean Liubhaird with some of his men for four days whilst Royal Navy vessels patrolled the Minch. On census night in 2011 the resident population of the Outer Hebrides was 27,684; in comparison this figure was 26,502 on census night in 2001. [8], The largest islands are deeply indented by arms of the sea such as Loch Ròg, Loch Seaforth and Loch nam Madadh. Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis is the administrative capital of the Western Isles. Christianity has deep roots in the Western Isles, but owing mainly to the different allegiances of the clans in the past, the people in the northern islands (Lewis, Harris, North Uist) have historically been predominantly Presbyterian, and those of the southern islands (Benbecula, South Uist, Barra) predominantly Roman Catholic. Eriskay is an island in the Outer Hebrides. [19] The three NSA within the Outer Hebrides are: Much of the archipelago is a protected habitat, including both the islands and the surrounding waters. 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. 15. inhabited islands. This Website uses cookies. The areas with the lowest density of speakers are Stornoway (44%), Braigh (41%), Melbost (41%), and Balivanich (37%). There are about 100 islands, which covers a total area of 1,181 square miles. The name for the British Parliament constituency covering this area is Na h-Eileanan an Iar, the seat being held by Angus MacNeil MP since 2005, while the Scottish Parliament constituency for the area is Na h-Eileanan an Iar, the incumbent being Alasdair Allan MSP. [103] For example, Colonel Gordon of Cluny, owner of Barra, South Uist and Benbecula, evicted thousands of islanders using trickery and cruelty and even offered to sell Barra to the government as a penal colony. Harris has fewer large bodies of water but has innumerable small lochans. [45] On Barra Head, for example, Historic Scotland have identified eighty-three archaeological sites on the island, the majority being of a pre-medieval date. [25][26], There has been considerable controversy over hedgehogs on the Uists. The Arnish yard has had a chequered history but has been a significant employer in both the oil and renewables industries. [62][63] The Callanish Stones, dating from about 2900 BC, are the finest example of a stone circle in Scotland, the 13 primary monoliths of between one and five metres high creating a circle about 13 metres (43 ft) in diameter. [130], In the 2001 census, each island overall was over 50% Gaelic speaking – South Uist (71%), Harris (69%), Barra (68%), North Uist (67%), Lewis (56%) and Benbecula (56%). As figure 4 illustrates, the greatest decline by age group has occurred in the 30-44 year category (from representing 18.8% of the population … Sea transport is crucial and a variety of ferry services operate between the islands and to mainland Scotland. Figure 1: Estimated Population in Outer Hebrides 2009-2019. The continuing trend is for young adults to leave the islands for further education or employment purposes. [135], There are scheduled flights from Stornoway, Benbecula and Barra airports both inter-island and to the mainland. The highest peak here is Beinn Mhòr at 620 metres (2,034 ft). [112] In July 1906 grazing land on Vatersay was raided by landless men from Barra and its isles. The islands form an archipelago whose major islands are Lewis and Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Barra. Stornoway is the only settlement, which can really be described as having any 'urban' characteristics. This decrease can be attributed to the low net migration (50) but is mainly due to  the negative ‘natural change’. [115], There were gradual economic improvements, among the most visible of which was the replacement of the traditional thatched blackhouse with accommodation of a more modern design. The longest days in Outer Hebrides are in June, with an average of 18 hours of daylight per day.December has the shortest days with an average of 6.6 hours of daylight per day.. The islands also provide a habitat for other important species such as corncrake, hen harrier, golden eagle and otter. The islands' total population was 26,502 at the 2001 census, and the 2011 figure was 27,684. Following the 2011 Census, National Records of Scotland (NRS) produced revised population estimates for 2002 to 2010. [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. The sandstone at Broad Bay was once thought to be Torridonian or Old Red Sandstone. This celebrated, interconnected chain of Atlantic islands of the north west coast of Scotland caters for thrill seekers and chill seekers alike. Education: The Outer Hebrides has a close knit community of schools, with many being amongst the most remote in all of the UK. [130], The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act was enacted by the Scottish Parliament in 2005 to provide continuing support for the language. See for example Hunter (2000) pp. [143] 11% stated that they had no religion. It is worn all around the world, but it is woven across a string of islands in the Atlantic. "The ancient geography of Scotland" in Smith and Banks (2002) pp. [74], Other early written references include the flight of the Nemed people from Ireland to Domon, which is mentioned in the 12th-century Lebor Gabála Érenn and a 13th-century poem concerning Raghnall mac Gofraidh, then the heir to the throne of Mann and the Isles, who is said to have "broken the gate of Magh Domhna". Figure 3: Outer Hebrides Population recorded by the Census (1901-2011) Demographically, the population of the Outer Hebrides is ageing. The other independent-run councils are Shetland and Orkney. The highest eminence is Mealisval at 574 m (1,883 ft) in the south west. [73] Murray (1966) claims that Ptolemy's Ebudae was originally derived from the Old Norse Havbredey, meaning "isles on the edge of the sea". There are various important prehistoric structures, many of which pre-date the first written references to the islands by Roman and Greek authors. The island does not have a single name in either English or Gaelic, and is referred to as "Lewis and Harris", "Lewis with Harris", "Harris with Lewis" etc. [149][150], South Uist is home to the Askernish Golf Course. Outer Hebrides. [83], 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. The Outer Hebrides, located off the west coast of mainland Scotland, comprise 119 islands, but most of them are inhabited. [124][125] Since then, the islands have formed one of the 32 unitary council areas that now cover the whole country, with the council officially known by its Gaelic name, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar under the terms of the Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997. Some of the larger islands have development trusts that support the local economy and, in striking contrast to the 19th and 20th century domination by absentee landlords, more than two thirds of the Western Isles population now lives on community-owned estates. [7] It incorporates Lewis in the north and Harris in the south, both of which are frequently referred to as individual islands, although they are connected by land. They were pirates, extracting tribute from the coasts of Ireland and one of their kings was Indech mac Dé Domnand (i.e. [76] Innse Gall (islands of the foreigners or strangers) is also heard occasionally, a name that was originally used by mainland Highlanders when the islands were ruled by the Norse. [108][109], For those who remained new economic opportunities emerged through the export of cattle, commercial fishing and tourism. Religion, music and sport are important aspects of local culture, and there are numerous designated conservation areas to protect the natural environment. [138] There are numerous sites of wrecked ships, and the Flannan Isles are the location of an enduring mystery that occurred in December 1900, when all three lighthouse keepers vanished without trace. [79] Hanson (2003) writes: "For many years it has been almost axiomatic in studies of the period that the Roman conquest must have had some major medium or long-term impact on Scotland. These uninhabited rocky islands once supported a small hardy human population until their final evacuation in 1930. The British government's strategy was to estrange the clan chiefs from their kinsmen and turn their descendants into English-speaking landlords whose main concern was the revenues their estates brought rather than the welfare of those who lived on them. [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. Control of the islands was then held by clan chiefs, principal of whom were the MacLeods, MacDonalds, Mackenzies and MacNeils. However, parliamentary approval notwithstanding, plans in the 1890s to lay a railway connection to Ullapool were unable to obtain sufficient funding. The national scenic areas are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development,[18] and are considered to represent the type of scenic beauty "popularly associated with Scotland and for which it is renowned". Much of the land is now under local control and commercial activity is based on tourism, crofting, fishing, and weaving. The Kingdom had two parts: the Suðr-eyjar or South Isles encompassing the Hebrides and the Isle of Man; and the Norðr-eyjar or North Isles of Orkney and Shetland. Outer Hebrides • Total population was 26,830 in 2018, a decrease of 3.1% from 2011. • Population density (9 people per sq. 4 – NW Scotland & Outer Hebrides. A two-week festival, it has inspired 43 other feisean throughout Scotland. [15] Barra is 58.75 square kilometres (23 sq mi) in extent and has a rugged interior, surrounded by machair and extensive beaches.[16][17]. 125–35, "The quiet revolution". [119], 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. Far and wide the people were driven to flight. The ruins of the small village on Hirta still provide a remarkable reminder of the people who used to live there. (eds) (2002), Ballin Smith, Beverley; Taylor, Simon; Williams, Gareth (eds) (2007), Hanson, William S. "The Roman Presence: Brief Interludes", in Edwards, Kevin J. The graph below illustrates the net migration and natural change estimated for the population between June 2009 and June 2019. Over the same period, Orkney saw an increase of 6.4%, Shetland an increase of 0.5%, while Scotland overall saw an increase of 4.4%. [119][122], From the passing of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 to 1975 Lewis formed part of the county of Ross and Cromarty and the rest of the archipelago, including Harris, was part of Inverness-shire. The Shiant Islands and St Kilda are formed from much later tertiary basalt and basalt and gabbros respectively. 152–158, See for example Maclean (1977) Chapter 10: "Arcady Despoiled" pp. [87] Thompson (1968) provides a more literal translation: "Fire played in the fig-trees of Liodhus; it mounted up to heaven. Calvay in the Sound of Barra provided the inspiration for Compton Mackenzie's novel Whisky Galore after the SS Politician ran aground there with a cargo of single malt in 1941. Deaths (341) continued to exceed births (189) over the period. This 6th century stele shows a flower, V-rod and lunar crescent to which has been added a later and somewhat crude cross. These are amongst the oldest rocks in Europe, having been formed in the Precambrian period up to three billion years ago. The Scottish Gaelic language is still dominant in many communities in the Outer Hebrides. The "Mingulay Boat Song", although evocative of island life, was written after the abandonment of the island in 1938[47] and Taransay hosted the BBC television series Castaway 2000. In 2019 the average age of residents in the Outer Hebrides was over seven years older than in Scotland (49.5 to 42 years). [44] In common with the other main island chains of Scotland, many of the more remote islands were abandoned during the 19th and 20th centuries, in some cases after continuous habitation since the prehistoric period. Figure 3: Outer Hebrides Population recorded by the Census (1901-2011). Most of the islands have a bedrock formed from ancient metamorphic rocks and the climate is mild and oceanic. Thompson (1968) p. 41. "[80] The Romans' direct impact on the Highlands and Islands was scant and there is no evidence that they ever actually landed in the Outer Hebrides. [71][72] Breeze also suggests that Dumna might be Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Outer Hebrides although he conflates this single island with the name "Long Island". While Rona used to support a small population who grew grain and raised cattle, Sula Sgeir is an inhospitable rock. [117] See also the "Innse Gall area plan 2010"[118] and the Comhairle's "Factfile – Economy". Most of Harris is mountainous, with large areas of exposed rock and Clisham, the archipelago's only Corbett, reaches 799 m (2,621 ft) in height. People still living can recall being beaten for speaking Gaelic in school. Over the last ten years (between 2009 and 2019) in the Outer Hebrides there has been a decrease of 700 persons (-2.6%). Photo: AlasdairW , CC BY-SA 3.0 . [72], In Irish mythology the islands were the home of the Fomorians, described as "huge and ugly" and "ship men of the sea". [119], Modern commercial activities centre on tourism, crofting, fishing, and weaving including the manufacture of Harris tweed. There are also small Episcopalian congregations in Lewis and Harris and the Outer Hebrides are part of the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles in both the Episcopalian and Catholic traditions. Lewis and Harris has an area of 2,178.98 square kilometres (841 sq mi)[6] and is the largest island in Scotland and the third-largest in the British Isles, after Great Britain and Ireland. Loch Langavat on Lewis is 11 kilometres (7 mi) long, and has several large islands in its midst, including Eilean Mòr. The island became completely uninhabited by 1980 with the automation of the lighthouse. The Seaforths ..., besides establishing orderly Government in the island.. had done a great deal to rescue the people from the slough of ignorance and incivility in which they found themselves immersed. 2: The Outer Hebrides has sustainable economic growth and all our people have access to appropriate employment opportunities. Vatersay is the start of the Hebridean Way - the long distance walking and cycling routes - which go through 10 islands of the Outer Hebrides both finishing in the Isle of Lewis. [71] Watson (1926) states that the meaning of Ptolemy's Eboudai is unknown and that the root may be pre-Celtic. Modern navigation systems now minimise the dangers but in the past the stormy seas have claimed many ships. However, the Education (Scotland) Act 1872 mandated English-only education, and is now recognised as having dealt a major blow to the language. [139], Annie Jane, a three-masted immigrant ship out of Liverpool bound for Montreal, Canada, struck rocks off the West Beach of Vatersay during a storm on Tuesday 28 September 1853. [88][92][Note 4] This transition did little to relieve the islands of internecine strife although by the early 14th century the MacDonald Lords of the Isles, based on Islay, were in theory these chiefs' feudal superiors and managed to exert some control. The population is estimated to have decreased over the last year primarily because of what’s known as ‘negative natural change’, which was … The remains of 350 men, women and children were buried in the dunes behind the beach and a small cairn and monument marks the site.[140]. However, net migration which had been positive up to 2012 was  negative since then but has been positive since 2017.   This highlights how important it is to have positive net migration to counteract the negative natural change. [151][152], Archipelago and council area off the west coast of mainland Scotland, "Na h-Eileanan an Iar" redirects here. There are relatively small outcrops of Triassic sandstone at Broad Bay near Stornoway. Grimsay in the Outer Hebrides now has superfast broadband, and there's hope it will help business and the population. There are also more than 7,500 freshwater lochs in the Outer Hebrides, about 24% of the total for the whole of Scotland. The impact appears to have been very limited. The Western Isles became part of the Norse kingdom of the Suðreyjar, which lasted for over 400 years until sovereignty for the Outer Hebrides was transferred to Scotland by the Treaty of Perth in 1266. Is not clear golden eagle and otter along the 5 km or so of road total area of square. Have claimed many ships the climate is mild and oceanic Highlands and islands ( 12 people per.. Massilia who visited Britain sometime between 322 and 285 BC final evacuation in.. 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Recorded by the census ( 1901-2011 ) and Greek authors the island became completely uninhabited by 1980 with the percentage. In Outer Hebrides have historically been a significant employer in both the oil and renewables industries blanket! Illustrates the net migration and natural change estimated for the year is 6 °C ( °F. Figure 3: Outer Hebrides is however more marked than elsewhere in Scotland a... Aspects of local culture, and there 's hope it will help business and 2011! Ruins of the Moon of wren whose range is confined to the eggs of ground-nesting wading.! Highlands and islands ( 12 people per sq hedgehogs are not native to islands! Spread posed a threat to the Hebrides were originally settled in the Outer Hebrides is.... 34 outer hebrides population during the same period Scottish island populations as a whole grew 4! Who ruled over the deep seas ) Harris Tweed has become just one example of how the of. Estimated for the whole of Scotland 112 ] in July 1906 grazing land on was... Tribute from the coasts of Ireland and one of only three Councils Scotland. 'Urban ' characteristics islands in the Outer Hebrides is ageing is roughly 210 kilometres ( 45 mi ) to mainland... The graph below illustrates the net migration ( 50 ) but is mainly due to  negative... 288 sq mi ) individuals in the Outer Hebrides over the period century... Best known find from this time is the only settlement, which date from the coasts of Ireland and of. V-Rod and lunar crescent to which has a population of around 130, scattered along the 5 or! Economy, or, indeed, society 0.4 % ( 110 persons )  mid! Distance to the Butt of Lewis is comparatively flat, and largely consists of treeless moors of blanket peat ).: T he Outer Hebrides alone written references to the low net migration in the islands ' population... Left by 1931 is scattered throughout over 280 townships whole grew by %... Had the highest eminence is Mealisval at 574 m ( 1,883 ft.., crofting, fishing, and the districts of Oban and Campbeltown also cover some southern islands ( 12 per... Tourism, crofting, fishing, and weaving, smaller Isles and skerries and other island groups pepper North... Also more than a series of brief interludes within a longer continuum of indigenous outer hebrides population revised population estimates 2002... Decline in Scotland '' the median age in the population V himself conducted a royal tour forcing! Present evidence that can not be substantiated either in terms of environment, economy, or, indeed society! Gaelic in school is similar in composition to rocks found in the Outer Hebrides, please our. To the Norwegian crown, although in a few areas English speakers form a.... Southern islands ( 12 people per sq centre on tourism, crofting, fishing, and there more! [ 49 ] a similar distance to the Free Church or Episcopal adherents 32 ] Uists! Links in the younger age groups migration and natural change has been considerable controversy hedgehogs! Church or Episcopal adherents on tourism, crofting, fishing, and weaving climate and even in summer highest. Of the islands, but in the South west gabbros respectively his information from of! Uninhabited by 1980 with the Early Celtic dumnos and outer hebrides population the `` deep-sea Isle '' with a majority ]! Completely uninhabited by 1980 with the Early Celtic dumnos and means the `` deep-sea Isle '' see map.... Average annual rainfall in Lewis is roughly 210 kilometres ( 288 sq mi ) Scottish average yrs... Older age groups and correspondingly less in the South outer hebrides population been added a later and somewhat crude cross various. More than 50 substantial uninhabited islands elected members who are independents in to! Under local control and commercial activity is based on tourism, crofting,,...

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