Gaelic name | ![]() |
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Meaning of name | Western Isles |
Location | |
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Outer Hebrides shown within Scotland | |
OS grid reference | 25 |
Coordinates | 57°46′N 7°01′W / 57.76°N 7.02°W |
Physical geography | |
Area | 3,058 km2 (1,181 sq mi)[1] |
Highest elevation | Clisham 799 m (2,621 ft)[2] |
Administration | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Country | Scotland |
Council area | Comhairle nan Eilean Siar |
Demographics | |
Population | 26,900[3] |
Population density | 8 per km2 |
Largest settlement | Stornoway |
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The Outer Hebrides, often called the Western Isles,[4] 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.
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