The Islands of Lewis and Harris
The Isles of Lewis and Harris lie 30 miles off the North west coast of Scotland. Lewis has a population of over 20,000 and Harris a population of over 2,000. The main centre of population is the town of Stornoway in Lewis.
The Island of Lewis is mainly rolling moorland and low-lying hills with numerous fresh water lochs.
The adjoining Isle of Harris is mountainous, a challange for climbers, walkers and mountain bikers. The rocky, knarly, jagged east coast is in stark contrast to the west coast with its miles of unadulterated sandy beaches.
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The North West Frontier of Europe.
This island group, surpisingly populated in comparison to other Scottish islands, was at one time much more densely populated than they are today.
The area was vital to European commercial shipping which took advantage of the Trade Winds and the Drift Current in the North Atlantic in order to circumnavigate the Globe under sail.
The Hebrides, encouraged by their geographical significance of the time, have a rich and absorbing recent history. With the advent of the steam and diesel engine the area became more marginalised economically, as it remains today.
