Stornoway, Outer Hebrides
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Scotland_Lewis_Stornoway_castle.jpg
Stornoway (Steòrnabhagh in Scottish Gaelic) is a burgh on Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. It is the major town and administrative centre of the Outer Hebrides and is home to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Western Isles Council. Although Gaelic is common, the primary language of the town is English and it is one of the few places in the Outer Hebrides where roadsigns are principally written in English.
The town grew around three villages including the fishing port in the natural harbour, and ferries sail from the harbour to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. It is also home to Stornoway Airport.
Notable buildings in Stornoway include Stornoway Town Hall, home to an art gallery, and the neo-gothic Lews Castle. Other attractions include a museum and the Lewis Loom Centre. The town is also home to a studio of Grampian Television, a further education college and a small campus of the University of Stirling, teaching nursing. The Lews Castle Grounds is the home of Stornoway Golf Club (the only 18-hole golf course in the Outer Hebrides) and hosts the Hebridean Celtic Music Festival. The 3-day Festival attracts over 10,000 visitors during July of each year.
In 1919, Stornoway was the scene of the sinking of the Iolaire, one of the worst maritime disasters in Scottish or UK waters.
Stornoway is also home to Gaelic singer, Alyth McCormack.
External Links
- Hebridean Celtic Festival (http://hebceltfest.com/)
- The Nicolson Institute (http://thenicolsoninstitute.org/) (High School)
- Lews Castle College (http://www.lews.uhi.ac.uk/)gd:Steornabhagh