The largest islands are deeply indented by arms of the sea such as Loch Ròg, Loch Seaforth and Loch nam Madadh. The island does not have a single name in either English or Gaelic, and is referred to as "Lewis and Harris", "Lewis with Harris", "Harris with Lewis" etc. It incorporates Lewis in the north and Harris in the south, both of which are frequently referred to as individual islands, although they are connected by land. Lewis and Harris has an area of 2,178.98 square kilometres (841 sq mi) and is the largest island in Scotland and the third-largest in the British Isles, after Great Britain and Ireland. The islands form an archipelago whose major islands are Lewis and Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Barra. Religion, music and sport are important aspects of local culture, and there are numerous designated conservation areas to protect the natural environment. Modern navigation systems now minimise the dangers, but in the past the stormy seas have claimed many ships. Sea transport is crucial, and a variety of ferry services operate between the islands and to mainland Scotland. Much of the land is now under local control, and commercial activity is based on tourism, crofting, fishing, and weaving. The Highland Clearances of the 19th century had a devastating effect on many communities, and it is only in recent years that population levels have ceased to decline.
Control of the islands was then held by clan chiefs, principal amongst whom were the MacLeods, MacDonalds, Mackenzies and MacNeils. The Western Isles became part of the Norse kingdom of the Suðreyjar, which lasted for over 400 years, until sovereignty over the Outer Hebrides was transferred to Scotland by the Treaty of Perth in 1266. There are various important prehistoric structures, many of which pre-date the first written references to the islands by Roman and Greek authors. The distance from Barra Head to the Butt of Lewis is roughly 210 kilometres (130 mi). The 15 inhabited islands have a total population of 26,830 and there are more than 50 substantial uninhabited islands. Most of the islands have a bedrock formed from ancient metamorphic rocks, and the climate is mild and oceanic. Scottish Gaelic is the predominant spoken language, although in a few areas English speakers form a majority. They form part of the archipelago of the Hebrides, separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the waters of the Minch, the Little Minch, and the Sea of the Hebrides.
The islands are geographically coextensive with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. The Outer Hebrides ( / ˈ h ɛ b r ɪ d iː z/) or Western Isles ( Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar ( listen) or Na h-Eileanan an Iar ( listen) Scots: Waster Isles), sometimes known as Na h-Innse Gall ("islands of the strangers") or the Long Isle/ Long Island (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Fada), is an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland.
Flag of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council)
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