Bragar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bragar
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 The whalebone arch |
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 Bragar
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| Language | Scottish Gaelic English |
| OS grid reference | NB288478 |
| Civil parish | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF LEWIS |
| Postcode district | HS2 |
| Dialling code | 01851 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Bragar (which is Bràgar in Scottish Gaelic) is a small village in Scotland. It is located on the west side of the Isle of Lewis. This island is part of the Outer Hebrides, a group of islands off Scotland's coast.
Bragar is about 14 miles (23 km) away from Stornoway. Stornoway is the only main town on the Isle of Lewis. The village is found along the A858 road. It lies between the villages of Carloway and Barvas. Most people living in Bragar speak Scottish Gaelic. Many residents also work as crofters. This means they farm small pieces of land.
The most famous sight in Bragar is a special arch. It is made from the jawbone of a huge whale. This whale was an 80-foot (24-meter) long blue whale. It washed up on the shore in 1920. The arch was built in 1921. You can find it at a house called Lakeview. This was once the home of Murdo Morrison (1867–1950). Bragar also has a post office, a war memorial, and a school.
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Exploring Bragar's Past
Bragar has a long and interesting history. You can find old ruins that tell stories of people who lived here long ago.
Ancient Buildings and Forts
In South Bragar, there are remains of an Iron Age fort. These forts are called brochs. This one is known as Dun Bragar. It stands in a loch (lake) called Loch an Dùin. The fort is about 80 meters from the road. A path made of stones connects it to the lochside. In the middle of the 1900s, local people used many of its stones. Because of this, the old structure is not safe anymore.
The Old Chapel and Graveyard
You can also find the ruins of a chapel in Bragar. It is called Teampall Eòin. This means "the Temple of John the Baptist." It was built in the 1400s or even earlier. The chapel ruins are inside a walled area. This area also has a cemetery. Today, the cemetery is known as Cill Sgàire. This name comes from Zechariah MacAulay. He was a person who died in a fight between two old clans. These were the MacAulays of Uig and the Morrisons of Ness. It is thought that about 2,000 people are buried in this old graveyard.
Famous People from Bragar
Bragar has been home to some notable people. One famous person was Roderick Morison. He was born in Bragar in 1656. Roderick was a talented harper. A harper is someone who plays the harp. He worked for the Clan MacLeod at Dunvegan Castle. He wrote a famous song called Òran Mòr MhicLeòid.
