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Quick facts | Did you know? | Local heroes | Well-known landmarks | Local specialities | Best time to visit | What's on - July | Learn Online

Quick facts

Stornoway - Steòrnabhagh

Population

The population of Stornoway is approximately 5600.

Twin Towns

Pendleton, South Carolina, USA

Local Clans

Macleod of Lewis

Macleod of Harris

Morrison

Gaelic Place names near Stornoway

Although Lewis is one of the traditional strongholds of the Gaelic language, many place names here have Norse origins. The Vikings had many settlements and communities throughout the Western Isles until their influence started to wane around the 13th century.

The main town in Lewis (and the whole of the Western Isles) is Stornoway, or “Steòrnabhagh” in Gaelic. It was originally called “Stjornavagr,” which means “steering bay.” The island of Harris, or “Na Hearadh”, means “high land.”

There are, of course, place names which come from Gaelic. “Tairbeart” means “isthmus.” An isthmus is a narrow strip of land which links two larger land masses, and Tairbeart (Tarbert in English) is situated on the isthmus which links Harris and Lewis.

In the days when sea-travel was the main way of getting around, it was quicker, easier and safer to put in to harbour in East Loch Tarbert and walk to a different boat in West Loch Tarbert, than to sail all the way round the southern end of the island.

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Did you know?

St Kilda, which was once the remotest community in Britain, lies to the west of Benbecula. The population gradually lost their independence, replying more heavily on shipped food. People began to emigrate, and the population started to decline. In 1930, the remaining 36 inhabitants evacuated the island.

Lewis used to be part of Ross-shire, while Harris was part of Inverness-shire. This was the case until 1975 when “Comhairle nan Eilean Siar” was introduced, the local government for the whole of the Western Isles.

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Local heroes

Hans Matheson

Hans Matheson is an actor, born in Stornoway on the 7th of August, 1975. He starred in a stage production called “Mojo,” which led him to his film debut of the same name. He has since made numerous television and film appearances. His largest role to date is that of Yury Zhivago in “Doctor Zhivago,” where he starred alongside Keira Knightly and Sam Neill.

In addition to acting, he is a talented musician, playing the guitar and harmonica, as well as writing his own songs. He learned how to play the violin for a part in the film “Canone Inverso,” and continues to play today. He both sings and plays on his father’s debut album.

He enjoys a quiet life, and prefers to travel by train rather than air, even if the trip is a very lengthy one.

Angus Macaskill

Angus “Giant” Macaskill was born on the Isle of Berneray in 1825, and stayed in Stornoway for several years, before his family emigrated to Nova Scotia in the first half of the 1830s. He is recorded as one of the strongest, largest men to have ever lived. When fully grown, he was 7feet 9inches tall, and weighed 425 pounds. His chest was a colossal 80 inches.

His incredible size made him famous, especially for astonishing feats of strength. He could lift a ship’s anchor, carry a barrel weighing 300lb under each arm, and is even said to have lifted a fully-grown horse over a fence! He worked in P.T. Barnum’s circus, and once performed for Queen Victoria.

Many envied his ability to perform laborious tasks single-handedly and with ease. While other fishermen had to bail bilge water out from their boats, Angus would simply tip his boat over and have the water run out! He could also set a ship’s mast on his own.

With the money he earned performing, he bought a grill-mill, among other ventures. When planning a trip to Halifax to sell some of his wares, he fell ill, was diagnosed with “brain fever” and died on the 8th of August, 1863.

The Lewis Chessmen

One of the most famous groups of ‘people’ to emerge from the Western Isles, the Lewis Chessmen have been a source of mystery and fascination since they were found in a sand dune some time before1831.

No accurate story exists about their discovery, but it is believed a storm that battered the west of the island uncovered them in Uig Bay. They are said to have been found in a dry, stone-built chamber some 15 feet below the surface of the sand.

In total, 93 pieces exist. They are made of walrus tusks with a couple of pieces made from whale teeth, and make up two complete chess sets.

Curiously, some of the pieces were stained red when they were discovered – that may mean that the sets were red and white, rather than the black and white we normally think of!

Sir Alexander MacKenzie

Born in 1764 in Stornoway, Sir Alexander MacKenzie made his name as fur-trader and as an explorer in the previously uncharted Canadian wilds. He emigrated as a boy, went to school in Montreal, and then worked as a fur-trader for the famous North-West Company.

He made several famous expeditions, firstly to the Arctic Ocean, and then through the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean, with the help of native peoples. He is believed to have been the first ‘Westerner’ to have made such a journey.

He returned to Scotland and died in Avoch, near Inverness, in 1820.

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Well-known landmarks

Callanish Standing Stones

There are numerous standing stones on the Isle of Lewis, the most impressive and famous of which are the Callanish Standing Stones. Comprising more than fifty stones, the stone circle at Callanish has an avenue leading to the north, and rows leading to the east, west and south. It resembles a distorted Celtic cross. It is thought to be between 3000 and 4000 years old.

Near the centre of the stone circle is the largest standing stone, at almost 16 foot tall and weighing five and a half tonnes. It marks the entrance to a stone tomb which is thought to have been added to the site after the stone circle was built.

There are many theories as to why the stone circle was built. Some believe that it was used as a tool for astronomical observation, while others argue there has been too much shifting in the land and the stones since they were originally erected to come to a definitive conclusion.

Beaches

The Isles of Lewis and Harris are famous for their long, white, sandy beaches, and they don’t disappoint! Found all around the Isles, they offer spectacular, secluded beaches which are among the best in Scotland. The beaches at Uig in Lewis and Luskentyre in Harris are particularly famous, and well worth a visit.

Lewis Castle

In 1844, Sir James Matheson bought the Isle of Lewis with the profits he made in the opium trade in the Far East. He had thousands of tons of soil shipped from the mainland, and built Lewis Castle and the surrounding gardens on this soil.

In 1918, Lord Leverhulme, an English industrialist, bought the Isles of Lewis and Harris from the Mathesons. In 1923, he gifted the Isle of Lewis back to the people of Lewis.

Today, access to the castle is prohibited, due to its decaying state, although there are guided walks around the grounds.

Dùn Charlabhaigh

The Dun Carloway (Carloway Broch) is not as spectacular as it was when it was built, but is still a hugely impressive landmark. It is a giant stone fort, towering out of the landscape to the south of the village of Carloway. It is over 9 metres tall in places, and around 15 metres in diameter.

Brochs were a sort of fortified dwelling which extended families or groups of people could take refuge in – from attack or peril. Dun Carloway was built over 2000 years ago, and is believed to have been last inhabited in the 14th century.

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Local specialities

Harris Tweed

Harris Tweed is a hand woven cloth made in the Outer Hebrides from wool. Due to the rural nature of the Isles, they did not experience mechanisation during the industrial revolution, and so Harris Tweed continued to be hand woven, even to this day. While the industry did suffer from decline in a similar way to the other textile industries, it is still important to the economy of the Outer Hebrides. Most Harris Tweed is now produced on the Isle of Lewis.

Fishy Business

With its large natural harbour, Stornoway was always been linked to the sea. The fishing industry has always been important, and Stornoway still offers a large selection of fish and shell fish. “Stornoway Fish Smokers” are the last remaining traditional kippering house on the island.

Black Pudding

One of the most famous delicacies from Stornoway is Charley Barley’s Black Pudding. The company which makes them – Charles MacLeod – is known (almost universally) as Charley Barley’s. The original Charles MacLeod had Menendez as a middle name, after his father’s employer in Argentina.

Black Pudding is a famous accompaniment to breakfasts, but is now becoming something of a delicacy in its own right!

Today, the company supplies Black Puddings, White Puddings and Haggis around Scotland, and around the world to customers!

Guga

Depending on where you come from, ‘guga’ (the flesh of a young gannet) is either one of the world’s great delicacies or most definitely an acquired taste! Guga has been popular, especially in Ness, the most northerly district of Lewis, for generations.

The earliest account of the Nisich (people of Ness) taking the birds comes from 1549. The men of the district would travel by boat to the remote rocky outcrop of Sulasgeir – nearly 40 miles out into the Atlantic – to catch and harvest the birds for their meat (and in olden days, for their feathers). They still do so today, in pretty traditional style, with a two-week expedition each autumn where they catch and salt the guga, before packing them in barrels.

The taste is variously described as “like a salty goose”, or a cross between “… fishy beef and rotten leather”! The smell as it is boiled is also said to be revolting. You may not be lucky enough to taste guga – as it is a delicacy, it is snapped up almost the instant the hunters arrive back on dry land.

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Best time to visit

The summer months offer the warmest weather, with a large number of cultural music festivals and dances. In the winter, the full force of the Atlantic can be experienced, with Christmas and New Year bringing a host of dances and firework displays. The Surf is at its best from September onwards, and there are out-door activities available all year round.

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What's on - July

What's on - July

Here is a pick of upcoming events that our characters would like to recommend for the month ahead!

Melodaidh

Ceòlas 2007

01/07/07- 06/07/07 – Outer Hebrides

Taransay Fiddle Camp

16/07/07-20/07/07 – Isle of Taransay

Morag

Scottish Chamber Orchestra Highlands II (Strings)

04/07/07 – Sgoil Lionacleit

Celebrating Stornoway – The Maritime Heritage

09/07/07-31/07/07 – Stornoway Town Hall

Seanair

North Uist Highland Games

20/07/07 – Hosta Machair, North Uist

Sollas Week 2007

21/07/07-28/07/07 – Taigh Sgìre Shollais

Munro

Hebridean Celtic Festival

11/07/07-14/07/07 – Lewis

Lewis Highland Games

21/07/07 – Tong Recreational Centre

Brochan

The Norse Mills and Kilns of Lewis

14/07/07 – Old School

For further information about Highland 2007 including events and external links please visit www.highland2007.com.

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Learn Online

Learn Online

Learn Gaelic at BBC Alba

The BBC offers an array of online learning tools for the Gaelic beginner. They have their “Beag air Bheag” online course, they have Colin and Cumberland games and they also have an online version of “Litir Bheag” from Radio nan Gàidheal.

Web: www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/alba

learndirect scotland

learndirect scotland has a range of interesting online courses. These include, among others, a series of online basic Gaelic and Scottish History and Geography Courses:

Gaelic (Gàidhlig):

1. Gaelic for Arts and Festivals

2. Gaelic for Food Services

3. Gaelic for Managers

4. Gaelic for Marketing

5. Gaelic for Outdoor Workers

6. Gaelic for Parents

7. Gaelic for Receptionists

8. Gaelic for Retail Workers

9. Gaelic for TIC Workers

10. Gaelic for Travel Workers

11. Scottish History and Geography

Contact: 0808 100 9000

Web: http://www.learndirectscotland.com

Learn in the Community

Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Àraich (CNSA)

CNSA run a series of “Gàidhlig san Dachaigh” (Gaelic in the Home) courses throughout the country. These are total immersion classes where the tutor only converses with participants in Gaelic. The organisation will be able to tell you what range of learning opportunities they offer in your area.

Contact: CNSA Head Office

Tel: 01463 225 469

Clì Gàidhlig

Clì Gàidhlig run various Gaelic classes in communities throughout Scotland. They run various courses for learners of the language including conversation classes and grammar classes. They have also begun a series of Gaelic Awareness classes.

Contact: DJ MacIntyre

Tel: 01463 226710

Email: dj@cli.org.uk

Web: www.cli.org.uk

Learn Full-Time

Cùrsa Comais – Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

The Cùrsa Comais or Immersion Course is a full-time residential course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic college. It is aimed at those wishing to obtain fluency in the language and can contribute to the first year of a degree course.

Contact: 01471 888 000

Email: trusadh@smo.uhi.ac.uk

Web: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Cùrsa Comais is Cùrsaichean Ceum – Lews Castle College

This course is designed for Gaelic learners who are not yet fluent. You will develop your language skills and learn about the history of the Highlands and Islands. This course can also contribute as the first year of the degree program.

Contact: 01851 770459

Email: annie.macsween@lews.uhi.ac.uk

Web: http://www.lews.uhi.ac.uk/

Learn Part-Time

Short Courses – Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

The Gaelic college on Skye also offers weekly residential courses for beginners and intermediate beginners. A full timetable of courses usually runs during the Easter holidays and also throughout the summer months.

Contact: 01471 888 000

Email: cg@smo.uhi.ac.uk

Web: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Short Courses – Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle

The Gaelic centre on Islay offers a short course programme. These courses are for all levels of learners.

Contact: 01496 810 818

Web: http://www.ile.ac.uk/

Cùrsa Inntrigidh - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

The Cùrsa Inntrigidh is a distance-learning course based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. The course is about gaining the confidence to use your Gaelic practically, with priority given to speaking and listening skills. It takes advantage of new technology to reach those people who are too far away or whose schedule makes it impractical to attend existing courses. Workbooks and accompanying CDs allow students to work at any time of day or night that suits them. Weekly conversation classes through teleconferencing offer the opportunity to chat to tutors and practice with others on the course. Weekend schools held at the College offer the opportunity to consolidate and put into practice what has been learned, as well as the chance to get to know students and tutors in a convivial Gaelic atmosphere.

Contact: 01471 888 000

Email: sm00cin@groupwise.uhi.ac.uk

Web: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Learn Gaelic Abroad

Comunn Gàidhlig Astràilia

Comunn Gàidhlig Astràilia (The Scottish Gaelic Association of Australia) is a non-profit organisation which supports the language and culture of Scottish Gaels in Australia, and is the primary source of information regarding Gaelic classes and workshops in Australia and New Zealand.

Email: fios@ozgaelic.org

Web: http://www.ozgaelic.org

An Comunn Gàidhealach America

An Comunn Gàidhealach America (The Gaelic Society of America) strives to promote and preserve the Gaelic language and culture by supporting Gaelic language study and interest in Gaelic literature, song, music, art and history in North America and the world.

Email: webmaster@acgamerica.org

Web: http://www.acgamerica.org/

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