Stornoway (Steornabhagh)

Classification and Statistics Settlement Type: small town Population (2001): 5602     (1991): 5975 (1981): 8639 (Combined with Laxdale, Newmarket, Plasterfield and Sandwick) (1971): 5152 (1961): 5229 (1951): 4954 (1901): 3711 (Police Burgh) (1881): 2627 (1871): 2525 (1861): 2587 (1841): 1354 Tourist Rating: Text of Entry Updated: 03-AUG-2009

Location Latitude: 58.2083°N Longitude: 6.3887°W National Grid Reference: NB 423 328 Show Maps:           Get directions by entering the UK postcode of your location, home or hotel here eg. EH1 3YT

History

Stornoway Castle, which once lay near the ferry terminal, was built by the Nicholsons in the 12th century but destroyed by Cromwell's troops in 1653 and the ruins removed in 1882 to make way for a pier.

In 1598, James VI decided to raise some funds for his empty treasury by establishing a colony on Lewis and contracted a group of East Coast farmers and gentry - known as the Fife Adventurers - to "plant policy and civilisation in the hitherto most barbarous Isle of Lewis". They captured Stornoway Castle and established a settlement. However, after illness, lack of money and constant harrying by the locals the settlement was abandoned in 1610.

References and Further Reading

Grant, James Shaw (1985) Stornoway and the Lews. James Thin, Edinburgh
Miers, Mary (2008) The Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide. The Rutland Press, Edinburgh

Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry

---

Related Entries

There are 142 related entries.

( 8 Attractions, 1 Council Area, 1 Historical County, 55 Features, 5 Parishes, 10 People and 62 Settlements )

Names that are not linked do not currently contain any information.

©2013 The Editors of The Gazetteer for Scotland
Supported by: The Robertson Trust,  The Royal Scottish Geographical Society,
  School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh.