Overview of Western Isles

The windswept Western Isles or Outer Hebrides comprise the 'long island' of Lewis and Harris and islands to the south including North Uist, South Uist and Barra. Here the topography is shaped by the underlying ancient Lewisian gneiss, much of which is covered with a thin layer of peat that is still used as a major source of fuel for the winter fire. Nearly half the islands' households live on croft land and farming, fishing, fish farming and the manufacture of Harris Tweed are the chief economic activities. Some 68% of its people speak the Gaelic language. The main towns and ferry ports are Stornoway (the administrative centre), Tarbert, Leverburgh, Lochmaddy, Lochboisdale and Castlebay. The local government area is administered by the Western Isles Council (Gael: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar).

More information is available...