Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Scottish Gaelic for 'Council of the Western Isles'; Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈkʰõ.ərˠʎə nə ˈɲelan ˈʃiəɾ]) is the local authority for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (the Western Isles, also known as the Outer Hebrides), one of the 32 council areas of Scotland. It is based in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
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👉 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the context of Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides (/ˈhɛbrɪdiːz/ HEB-rid-eez) or Western Isles (Scottish Gaelic: na h-Eileanan Siar [nə ˈhelanən ˈʃiəɾ] , na h-Eileanan an Iar [nə ˈhelanən əɲ ˈiəɾ] or na h-Innse Gall, 'Islands of the Strangers'), sometimes known as the Long Isle or Long Island (Scottish Gaelic: an t-Eilean Fada), is an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland. It is the longest archipelago in the British Isles. The islands 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 Outer Hebrides are considered to be the traditional heartland of the Gaelic language. The islands form one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, which since 1998 has used only the Gaelic form of its name, including in English language contexts. The council area is called Na h-Eileanan an Iar ('the Western Isles') and its council is Comhairle nan Eilean Siar ('Council of the Western Isles').
Most of the islands have a bedrock formed from ancient metamorphic rocks, and the climate is mild and oceanic. The 19 inhabited islands had an estimated population of 26,020 in 2024, and there are more than 50 substantial uninhabited islands. The distance from Barra Head to the Butt of Lewis is roughly 210 kilometres (130 mi).
In this Dossier
- ⭐ Core Definition: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
- 👉 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the context of Outer Hebrides
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the context of St. Kilda, Scotland
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the context of Council areas of Scotland
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the context of Second periodic review of Scottish Parliament boundaries
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the context of St. Kilda, Scotland
St Kilda (Scottish Gaelic: Hiort) is a remote archipelago situated 35 nautical miles (65 kilometres) west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. It contains the westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The largest island is Hirta, whose sea cliffs are the highest in the United Kingdom; three other islands (Dùn, Soay and Boreray) were also used for grazing and seabird hunting. The islands are administratively a part of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local authority area.
The origin of the name St Kilda is a matter of conjecture. The islands' human heritage includes unique architectural features from the historic and prehistoric periods, although the earliest written records of island life date from the Late Middle Ages. The medieval village on Hirta was rebuilt in the 19th century, but illnesses brought by increased external contacts through tourism, and the upheaval of the First World War, contributed to the island's evacuation. Permanent habitation on the islands possibly extends back two millennia, the population probably never exceeding 180; its peak was in the late 17th century. The population waxed and waned, eventually dropping to 36 in 1930, when the remaining population was evacuated. Currently, the only year-round residents are military personnel; a variety of conservation workers, volunteers and scientists spend time there in the summer months. The entire archipelago is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the context of Council areas of Scotland
For local government purposes, Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" (Scottish Gaelic: comhairlean), which are all governed by single-tier authorities designated as "councils". They have the option under the Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997 of being known (but not re-designated) as a "comhairle" when opting for a Gaelic name; only Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Council of the Western Isles) has chosen this option, whereas the Highland Council (Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd) has adopted its Gaelic form alongside its English equivalent, informally.
The council areas have been in existence since 1 April 1996, under the provisions of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. Historically, Scotland was divided into 34 counties or shires. Although these no longer have any administrative function, they are still used to some extent in Scotland for cultural and geographical purposes, and some of the current council areas are named after them. There are also a number of other administrative divisions, some of which are handled by joint boards of the councils.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the context of Second periodic review of Scottish Parliament boundaries
The Second periodic review of Scottish Parliament boundaries is being carried out by Boundaries Scotland. It was announced on 1 September 2022 that the review was taking place. Provisional proposals were published on 15 April 2023, the revised proposals were published on 26 May 2010. Further proposals for constituencies and provisional proposals for. The new constituencies and regions will used for the first time at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
The Scotland Act 1998 as amended by the Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 requires the commission to review boundaries of all constituencies except Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (which cover, respectively, the Orkney Islands council area, the Shetland Islands council area and the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) so that the area covered by the reviewed constituencies will continue to be covered by a total of 73 constituencies.