Swainbost facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swainbost
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 An unnamed lochan at Swainbost |
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 Swainbost
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| Language | Scottish Gaelic English |
| OS grid reference | NB511625 |
| Civil parish | |
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| 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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Swainbost (Scottish Gaelic: Suaineabost) is a village located on the Isle of Lewis. This island is part of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The village name, Swainbost, comes from the Vikings. It means "Swein's steading" or "Swein's farm."
Swainbost is in the district of Ness. It is also part of the Barvas parish. In 1842, during a time called the Highland Clearances, people moved to Swainbost. Landlords had expected farmers, known as crofters, to leave the area. But they were given land in Swainbost instead.
Near the shore, you can find a large dip in the land called Suaineabost Sands. This area shows signs of ancient glacier activity. A river also flows through these sands.
Exploring Teampull Pheadair
The old church of Saint Peter, known as Teampull Pheadair, is just north of the village. This church has been around since at least the 1600s. It was likely fixed up and improved in 1722. At that time, it became the main meeting place for the northern part of the Ness parish.
In 1795, the church was made bigger and got a new roof. However, a new church was built nearby in the late 1820s. After this, Teampull Pheadair was no longer used for services.
The church's graveyard, however, continued to be used. Stones from the old church were even used as grave markers. People kept burying loved ones here even after 1922. That's when the current Habost graveyard was built.
Many memorial stones in the graveyard remember those who died in the Iolaire tragedy of 1919. Experts believe there are over 4,000 graves here. But only 114 have names and dates carved into them. The oldest readable tombstone is from 1857. This was after the church itself was no longer in use.
This historic site is protected as a scheduled monument. This means it is an important historical place.
Discovering Teampall Thòmais
Right next to Teampull Pheadair are the old ruins of Teampall Thòmais. This name means the 'Church of St Thomas'. Local stories say that stones from Teampall Thòmais were used to build Teampull Pheadair.
In 2007, archaeologists used a special method called a geophysical survey. This survey found signs of a building that was about 16 meters (52 feet) long and 8 meters (26 feet) wide at Teampall Thòmais.
Notable People from Swainbost
- Aonghas Caimbeul, also known as Am Puilean (1903-1982), was a famous Scottish Gaelic Bard. A Bard is a poet and storyteller. He was also a war poet and wrote award-winning memories of his life.
