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The '''Western Isles''', also known as the [[Outer Hebrides]], are a chain of Scottish islands oin the North Atlantic Ocean, off the north-west coast of [[Scotland]]. The main islands are Lewis and Harris (which form one island), North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra. 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 '''Western Isles''' (Gaelic: ''Na h-Eileanan Siar''), also known as the [[Outer Hebrides]], are a chain of Scottish islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the north-west coast of [[Scotland]]. The main islands are [[Lewis]] and [[Harris]] (which form one island), [[North Uist]], [[Benbecula]], [[South Uist]] and [[Barra]]. 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, 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, 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]].