We tend to think of the western isles as remote, but to earlier generations they were safe havens, free from dense forest; fertile soils surrounded by rich seas. Evidence of human habitation in the Western Isles goes back 5,000years, with numerous prehistoric structures to be found on the island. Visit Barpa Langass, a perfectly preserved chambered burial cairn which dates back to the prehistoric inhabitants of the island. You can also visit the Pobull Fhinn (Finn’s People) stone circle and not far away are the Na Fir Bhreige Standing Stones. In all, archaeologists have identified 19 stone circles most of which have a cairn or burial chamber nearby. Apart from cairns, tombs and stone circles, remains of round houses and early stone forts are seen in the North Uist landscape. Dun Torcuill is a good example of a broch, a fortified stone tower, dating from around 100BC There are very good local exhibitions documenting finds & ongoing updates on finds.. Medieval Trinity Temple photo, the old house, Barpa Langass.
www.cne-siar.gov.uk/archaeology/
www.shorewatch.co.uk/html/accessarch.html
The Norse influence of Viking invaders can be seen today in place names and the galleon used on the MacDonald of the Isles Clan Badge. North Uist was granted by James IV to the Macdonalds of Sleat, in Skye in 1495. They sold the island in 1855, but not before they cleared many of the tenants from their homes to make room for sheep. The population of North Uist stood at 23,000 in 1841, but thereafter declined with the clearances, immigration and potato famine ( the C73 road is known as the Committee Road ; a project to give work & income to destitute crofters sabre-roads.org.uk/gallery/displayimage.php). Today the landscape tells the tale of generations previous, politics and changing economies. Tigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy is an excellent centre of history & culture of the islands www.taigh-chearsabhagh.org/pages/aboutus_history.htm Photo Taigh Chearsabhagh.
www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/northuistpics.htm
www.cne-siar.gov.uk/museum/sgoil/museum.htm
www.benbeculahistorysociety.co.uk/
We tend to think of the western isles as remote, but to earlier generations they were safe havens, free from dense forest; fertile soils surrounded by rich seas. Evidence of human habitation in the Western Isles goes back 5,000years, with numerous prehistoric structures to be found on the island. Visit Barpa Langass, a perfectly preserved chambered burial cairn which dates back to the prehistoric inhabitants of the island. You can also visit the Pobull Fhinn (Finn’s People) stone circle and not far away are the Na Fir Bhreige Standing Stones. In all, archaeologists have identified 19 stone circles most of which have a cairn or burial chamber nearby. Apart from cairns, tombs and stone circles, remains of round houses and early stone forts are seen in the North Uist landscape. Dun Torcuill is a good example of a broch, a fortified stone tower, dating from around 100BC There are very good local exhibitions documenting finds & ongoing updates on finds.. Medieval Trinity Temple photo, the old house, Barpa Langass.
www.cne-siar.gov.uk/archaeology/
www.shorewatch.co.uk/html/accessarch.html
The Norse influence of Viking invaders can be seen today in place names and the galleon used on the MacDonald of the Isles Clan Badge. North Uist was granted by James IV to the Macdonalds of Sleat, in Skye in 1495. They sold the island in 1855, but not before they cleared many of the tenants from their homes to make room for sheep. The population of North Uist stood at 23,000 in 1841, but thereafter declined with the clearances, immigration and potato famine ( the C73 road is known as the Committee Road ; a project to give work & income to destitute crofters sabre-roads.org.uk/gallery/displayimage.php). Today the landscape tells the tale of generations previous, politics and changing economies. Tigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy is an excellent centre of history & culture of the islands www.taigh-chearsabhagh.org/pages/aboutus_history.htm Photo Taigh Chearsabhagh.
www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/northuistpics.htm
www.cne-siar.gov.uk/museum/sgoil/museum.htm
www.benbeculahistorysociety.co.uk/