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The '''Hebrides''' are an [[archipelago]] of [[island]]s off the North West Coast of [[Scotland]], in the [[United Kingdom]]. They are one of the last areas where the [[Gaelic]] [[language]] is spoken. They are generally subdivided into the [[Inner Hebrides]] (parts of which are included in [[Argyll and Bute]] & [[Highland Council]] Areas) and [[Outer Hebrides]] (also known as the [[Western Isles]] or [[Comhairle nan Eilean Siar]]).  The two parts are separated from each other and the Scottish mainland by the Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides.

The '''Hebrides''' are an [[archipelago]] of [[island]]s off the North West Coast of [[Scotland]], in the [[United Kingdom]]. They are one of the last areas where the [[Gaelic]] [[language]] is spoken. They are generally subdivided into the Inner Hebrides (parts of which are included in [[Argyll and Bute]] & [[Highland Council]] Areas) and Outer Hebrides (also known as the Western Isles or ''Comhairle nan Eilean Siar'').  The two parts are separated from each other and the Scottish mainland by the Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides.

Forced displacement of communities during the Highland [[Clearances]] by the [[British]] nobility led to the emigration of many Hebrideans to the [[America]]s.

Forced displacement of communities during the [[Highland Clearances]] by the [[British]] nobility led to the emigration of many Hebrideans to the [[America]]s.

The [[New Hebrides]], now [[Vanuatu]], in the south [[Pacific Ocean]] are named after the Hebrides.

The [[New Hebrides]], now [[Vanuatu]], in the south [[Pacific Ocean]] are named after the Hebrides.

==Inner Hebrides==

==Inner Hebrides==

The major islands of the Inner Hebrides are Skye, Rhum, Coll, Tiree, [[Mull]], [[Iona]], Colonsay, [[Islay]] and Jura, as well as a large number of smaller islands.

The major islands of the Inner Hebrides are Skye, Rhum, Coll, Tiree, Mull, [[Iona]], Colonsay, Islay and Jura, as well as a large number of smaller islands.

Centres of population are at Portree (Skye), Tobermory (Mull) and Bowmore (Islay). The islands are served by [[CalMac]] ferry services, and most also have small airports.  [[Whisky]] distilling is an important local industry, especially on Islay and Skye.

Centres of population are at Portree (Skye), Tobermory (Mull) and Bowmore (Islay). The islands are served by [[CalMac]] ferry services, and most also have small airports.  [[Whisky]] distilling is an important local industry, especially on Islay and Skye.

==Outer Hebrides==

==Outer Hebrides==

The main islands of the Outer Hebrides (Gaelic: ''Na h-Eileanan Siar'', "'''Western Isles'''") are [[Lewis and Harris]] (two parts of a single island), [[North Uist]], Benbecula, [[South Uist]], and Barra. The archipelago of [[St Kilda]] and occasionally even the distant islet of [[Rockall]] are also sometimes included amongst the group.  The two Uists and Benbecula are connected by bridges and causeways and are collectively known as 'the long island'. The administrative centre of the Western Isles is [[Stornoway]]. The islands, formerly divided between [[Invernessshire]] and [[Ross & Cromarty]], became a region of Scotland in 1975 and a county in 1996.

The main islands of the Outer Hebrides (Gaelic: ''Na h-Eileanan Siar'', "'''Western Isles'''") are Lewis and Harris (two parts of a single island), North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Barra. The archipelago of [[St Kilda]] and occasionally even the distant islet of [[Rockall]] are also sometimes included amongst the group.  The two Uists and Benbecula are connected by bridges and causeways and are collectively known as 'the long island'. The administrative centre of the Western Isles is [[Stornoway]]. The islands, formerly divided between [[Invernessshire]] and [[Ross & Cromarty]], became a region of Scotland in 1975 and a county in 1996.

The islands are a stronghold of [[Gaelic]] language and culture, the last part of Scotland in which Scottish [[Gaelic]] is still widely spoken, and are among the most strongly religious areas in the [[United Kingdom]]. In Lewis, Harris and North Uist [[Protestantism]] is the predominant faith; in the other islands, [[Roman Catholicism]].

The islands are a stronghold of [[Gaelic]] language and culture, the last part of Scotland in which Scottish [[Gaelic]] is still widely spoken, and are among the most strongly religious areas in the [[United Kingdom]]. In Lewis, Harris and North Uist [[Protestantism]] is the predominant faith; in the other islands, [[Roman Catholicism]].

The largest town is [[Stornoway]] on Lewis.

The largest town is [[Stornoway]] on Lewis.

The main village on Barra is [[Castlebay]], which is thought to be named after the bay by which it is situated, the [[castle]] in said bay or possibly even both.  Barra has [http://www.isleofbarra.com its own online news site].

The main village on Barra is Castlebay, which is thought to be named after the bay by which it is situated, the [[castle]] in said bay or possibly even both.  Barra has [http://www.isleofbarra.com its own online news site].

Benbecula ([[Gaelic]]: ''Beinn na Faoghla'')lies between the islands of [[North Uist|North]] and [[South Uist]] and is connected to both of them by causeway; the three conjoined islands are colloquially known as 'the Long Island'. Benbecula has a small airport-cum-[[RAF]] base; as well as providing domestic air services this services the missile tracking base on Hirta, largest island in the [[St Kilda]] Group in the North [[Atlantic]].

Benbecula ([[Gaelic]]: ''Beinn na Faoghla'')lies between the islands of North and South Uist and is connected to both of them by causeway; the three conjoined islands are colloquially known as 'the Long Island'. Benbecula has a small airport-cum-[[RAF]] base; as well as providing domestic air services this services the missile tracking base on Hirta, largest island in the [[St Kilda]] Group in the North [[Atlantic]].

The sole town on North Uist (''Uibhist A Tuath'') is Lochmaddy (''Loch Na Madadh''), from where ferries run to [[Uig]] on the [[Isle of Skye]].  The Sound of Pabbay and Sound of Harris separate it from Harris to the north.  The topography of North Uist is largely flat and boggy, with numerous small lakes; the hills North and South Lee, rising sharply from this terrain, help to make an arresting landscape.

The sole town on North Uist (''Uibhist A Tuath'') is Lochmaddy (''Loch Na Madadh''), from where ferries run to [[Uig]] on the [[Isle of Skye]].  The Sound of Pabbay and Sound of Harris separate it from Harris to the north.  The topography of North Uist is largely flat and boggy, with numerous small lakes; the hills North and South Lee, rising sharply from this terrain, help to make an arresting landscape.

South Uist (Gaelic: ''Uibhist a Deas'') lies towards the southern end of the [[archipelago]], between Barra and Benbecula.  Its population is mainly [[Roman Catholic]] (the island was one of the very few areas in [[Great Britain]] where the [[Reformation]] never gained a foothold) and [[Gaelic]]-speaking. The main settlement is Lochboisdale (''Loch Baghasdail'') at the southern end of the island, which has a ferry terminal with services to Barra and to [[Oban]] on the Scottish mainland.

South Uist (Gaelic: ''Uibhist a Deas'') lies towards the southern end of the [[archipelago]], between Barra and Benbecula.  Its population is mainly [[Roman Catholic]] (the island was one of the very few areas in [[Great Britain]] where the [[Reformation]] never gained a foothold) and [[Gaelic]]-speaking. The main settlement is Lochboisdale (''Loch Baghasdail'') at the southern end of the island, which has a ferry terminal with services to Barra and to [[Oban]] on the Scottish mainland.

Lewis and Harris, the largest island in the Outer Hebrides, is a single island which has been divided into two parts of land [http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit/blvisithebrides4.htm] by Loch Seaforth and the hills of Harris.  It is linked by ferry to the island of [[North Uist]] and to [[Uig]] on the [[Isle of Skye]]. It has given its name to the rugged woven woolen cloth known as 'Harris Tweed', the term ''tweed'' being a corruption of ''tweel'' (twill) and nothing to do with the [[River Tweed]] in south-eastern Scotland.  The land is flat and relatively fertile, much being divided into crofts (smallholdings). The main town, [[Stornoway]] (''Steornabhagh''), is also the administrative centre of the Western Isles. The megalithic standing stones at Callanish on Lewis are one of Scotland's major cultural monuments.

Lewis and Harris, the largest island in the Outer Hebrides, is a single island which has been divided into two parts of land [http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit/blvisithebrides4.htm] by Loch Seaforth and the hills of Harris.  It is linked by ferry to the island of North Uist and to [[Uig]] on the [[Isle of Skye]]. It has given its name to the rugged woven woolen cloth known as 'Harris Tweed', the term ''tweed'' being a corruption of ''tweel'' (twill) and nothing to do with the [[River Tweed]] in south-eastern Scotland.  The land is flat and relatively fertile, much being divided into crofts (smallholdings). The main town, [[Stornoway]] (''Steornabhagh''), is also the administrative center of the Western Isles. The megalithic standing stones at Callanish on Lewis are one of Scotland's major cultural monuments.

[[Category:Scottish Islands]]

[[Category:Scottish Islands]]

[[Category:Archipelagos]]

[[Category:Archipelagos]]

[[Category:United Kingdom Counties]]

[[Category:United Kingdom Counties]]