Lewis

:This article is about Lewis in Scotland. For other uses of the name, see Lewis (disambiguation).

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Lewis (Scottish Gaelic:Leòdhas) is the northern part of the main island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. Its main settlement, the only burgh on the Outer Hebrides, is Stornoway, from which ferries sail to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. In the 2001 census Lewis had a usually resident population of 16,872. In Scotland's traditional counties, Lewis is part of Ross-shire (Ross and Cromarty).

Related Topics:
Scottish Gaelic - Outer Hebrides - Scotland - Burgh - Stornoway - Ferries - Ullapool - Ross-shire - Ross and Cromarty

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The island's settlements are on or near the coasts or sea lochs, being particularly concentrated on the north east coast. The interior of the island is a large area of moorland from which peat was traditionally cut as fuel, although this practice has become rarer. The southern part of the island, adjoining Harris, is more mountainous with inland lochs. The island of Bernera (Great Bernera) in the district of Uig is linked to the mainland of Lewis by a bridge opened in 1953.

Related Topics:
Coast - Sea loch - Peat - Harris - Mountainous - Loch - Great Bernera - Uig - 1953

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The main industries are fishing, tourism, crafts (including the manufacture of Harris tweed), and crofting. Religion is important on Lewis, with much of the population belonging to the Free Church and Church of Scotland. The Sabbath is generally observed with most shops and licensed premises closed on that day, although there is a scheduled air service to mainland Scotland.

Related Topics:
Fishing - Tourism - Crafts - Harris tweed - Crofting - Free Church - Church of Scotland - Sabbath

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Attractions on the island include the Callanish standing stones, the Clach an Truiseil monolith, the thirteenth century Teampull Mholuaidh church, the Butt of Lewis cliffs and lighthouse and the broch at Doune Carloway. The Lewis chessmen were found on the island in 1831.

Related Topics:
Callanish standing stones - Clach an Truiseil - Monolith - Thirteenth century - Teampull Mholuaidh - Butt of Lewis - Lighthouse - Broch - Doune Carloway - Lewis chessmen - 1831

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Most of the place names on Lewis and Harris come from Old Norse. The name Lewis may come from Leod who used to rule the island in the 12th century or may be derived from the Gaelic word for "peat-covered".

Related Topics:
Harris - Old Norse - Leod

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