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This article is about Lewis in Scotland. For other uses of the name, see Lewis (disambiguation).
Uig Loch looking towards the mountains at the centre of the Island of Lewis Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leodhais) is the northern part of the main island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. Its main settlement, the only burgh on the Outer Hebrides, is Stornoway, from which ferries sail to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. In the 2001 census Lewis had a usually resident population of 16,872. In Scotland's traditional counties, Lewis is part of Ross-shire.
The island's settlements are on or near the coasts or sea lochs, being particularly concentrated on the north west coast. The interior of the island is a large area of moorland from which peat was traditionally cut as fuel, although this practice has become rarer. The southern part of the island, adjoining Harris, is more mountainous with inland lochs. Lewis is also linked to Great Bernera by a bridge.
The main industries are fishing, tourism, crafts (including the manufacture of Harris tweed), and crofting. Religion is particularly important on Lewis, with much of the population belonging to the Free Church, which observes the Sabbath very strictly, to the extent of chaining children's swings on Sundays to ensure kids do not play.
Attractions on the island include the Callanish standing stones, the Clach an Truiseil monolith, the thirteenth century Teampull Mholuaidh church, the Butt of Lewis cliffs and lighthouse and Dłn Charlabhaigh broch. The Lewis chessmen were found on the island.
Flag The Lewis flag is one of the most curious of the Hebridean flags. The blue and white stripes are said to represent the seven traditional areas of Lewis: Back (Am Bac), Lochs (Na Lochan), Ness (Nes), Point (An Rubha). Uig (Uig), West Side (An Taobh Siar) and the main town, Stornoway (Steornabhagh). Blue and white stripes are also used on the Harris flag.
Note: There are now 9 "areas" of Lewis, the usage of which is informal but in use by the entire population. Lochs is nowadays split into North Lochs (Na Lochan a Tuath), South Lochs (Na Lochan a Deas) and Park (Pairc).
It is claimed that you can see all the areas of Lewis from the top of Stornoway War Memorial.
Areas of Lewis Lewis is split into nine areas: including Tolsta, Coll including Port of Ness including Balallan, Crossbost, Leurbost including Shader - South Lochs
- Stornoway
- Uig
including Cliff, Kneep, Timsgarry including Arnol, Ballantrushal, Barvas, Bragar, Breasclete, Brue, Callanish, Carloway, Shawbost
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