Outer Hebrides facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Outer Hebrides (The Western Isles)
Admin HQ	Stornoway
Government
• Body	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Area
• Total	Formatting error: invalid input when rounding sq mi (3,071 km² km2)
Area rank	Ranked 7th
• Rank	Ranked
ONS code	00RJ
ISO 3166 code	GB-ELS

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. 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.

The isles form part of the Hebrides, and are separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the stormy waters of the Minch, the Little Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides.

Formerly the dominant language of the Islands, Scottish Gaelic remains spoken even though it has now been largely supplanted by English in some parts.

Sea transport is crucial and a variety of ferry services operate between the islands and to mainland Britain.

History

The Western Isles became part of the Suðreyjar kingdom of the Norse, who ruled for over 400 years until sovereignty was transferred to Scotland by the Treaty of Perth in 1266. Control of the islands was then held by clan chiefs.

Geology & geography

Most of the islands have a bedrock formed from ancient metamorphic rocks and the climate is mild and oceanic. The Gulf Stream runs nearby. The 15 inhabited islands have a total population of about 26,500 and there are more than 50 substantial uninhabited islands.

Flora and fauna

Much of the archipelago is a protected habitat including both the islands and the surrounding waters. There are 53 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of which the largest are Loch an Duin, North Uist at 15,100 hectares (37,000 acres) and North Harris, which is 12,700 hectares (31,000 acres) in extent.

The open landscapes of Benbecula

Loch Druidibeg on South Uist is a National Nature Reserve owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The reserve covers 1,677 hectares across the whole range of local habitats.

Images for kids

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  Nicolson's Leap on the east coast of South Uist. In the background are Beinn Mhòr at left, and Hecla on the right.

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  Bàgh Mòr, Grimsay

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  Lews Castle, Stornoway

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  Geographic distribution of Gaelic speakers in Scotland (2011)

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  View of the Barra Isles from Heaval. The village of Castlebay is in the foreground, with Vatersay, and the uninhabited islands of Sandray, Pabbay, Mingulay and Berneray beyond.

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  Geological map of the Hebridean Terrane

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  The Callanish Stones

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  The "Old Boy" — the gneiss cliffs of Sloc na Bèiste, Barra Head, the southernmost point of the Outer Hebrides

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  Kisimul Castle, the ancient seat of Clan MacNeil, Castlebay, Barra

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  Abandoned school house, Mingulay

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  Stornoway Harbour

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  Caledonian MacBrayne ferry MV Hebrides leaving Lochmaddy, North Uist, en route for Skye

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  Bus Na Comhairle Optare Solo YJ14 BDY seen in Sandwick - May 2020

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  The Admiralty yacht HMS Iolaire

See also

In Spanish: Islas Hébridas Exteriores para niños