Outer Hebrides Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
| Na h-Eileanan Siar (The Western Isles) | |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Area: - Total - % Water | Ranked 7th 3,071 km² ? % |
| Admin HQ: | Stornoway |
| : | GB-ELS |
| ONS code: | 00RJ |
| Demographics | |
| Population: - Total (April 29, 2001) - Density | Ranked 30th 26,502 9 / km² |
| Politics | |
| Comhairle nan Eilean Siar http://www.w-isles.gov.uk | |
| Control: | Independent |
| MP: | Calum Macdonald |
| Table of contents |
|
2 Main island group 3 Other islands 4 Ferries 5 External links |
Council
The islands form one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, originally called Western Isles, although Na h-Eileanan Siar has now gained acceptance as the official name. The council has its base in Stornoway on Lewis. Before 1975, some of the islands formed part of Inverness-shire and some part of Ross and Cromarty. Western Isles constitutes a Lieutenancy Area.
Main island group
The main islands form an archipelago, which with their smaller surrounding islands are sometimes known poetically as the Long Isle. The major islands include:Lewis and Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra. South of Barra lie the Barra Isles, including Mingulay and Vatersay.
A large number of small islands surround the main islands. They include:
- Baleshare, Berneray, Boreray
- Calvay, Campay
- Eilean Chaluim Chille, Eilean Iubhard, Ensay
- Flaray, Floday, Flodday, Floddaybeg, Floddaymore, Fuday, Fuiay
- Great Bernera, Gighay, Gilsay, Grimsay, Groay
- Hellisay, Hermetray
- Killegray, Kirkibost
- Lingay, Little Bernera
- Mealasta
- Opsay, Oronsay, Orosay
- Pabbay near Harris
- Ronay
- Scalpay, Scaravay, Scarp, Scotosay, Sgeotasaigh, Shillay, Soay Beag, Soay Mor, Stromay, Stuley, Sursay
- Tahay, Taransay
- Vacsay, Vallay, Vuia Beg, Vuia Mor
- Wiay
Other islands
Small islands and island groups pepper the North Atlantic surrounding the main island group:To the west lie the Monach Islands, Flannan Isles, Saint Kilda and Rockall, in increasing order of distance. The status of Rockall as part of the United Kingdom remains disputed.
To the east lie the Shiant Islands, located in the Minch.
To the north lie North Rona and Sula Sgeir, two small and remote islands. Not often included as part of the Outer Hebrides, they nevertheless come under the administration of the Western Isles district.
Other ferries operate between some of the islands.