A heritage to share

The islands have a history of settlement dating back some 6000 years. From the Neolithic period to the end of Norse domination and the early Christian church, there still remains today a rich legacy of archaeological evidence -most notably the Standing Stones at Calanais and the famous 12th century Lewis chessmen.

The name of the Outer Hebrides dates back 1200 years and like many of the islands' place names, has its origins in the Old Norse language of the Vikings. The chain of 12 inhabited islands is also known as the Western Isles, or in Gaelic Na h-Eileanan Siar.

Our recent history is every bit as dramatic as our ancient past and from the Highland Clearances to the land raids of the 1920s, is closely bound to the issues of land ownership and crofting. Crofters now enjoy security of tenure and recent moves towards community land ownership prove crofting is still a force for change today.

Long regarded as the heartland of the Gaelic language, the Outer Hebrides now play host to something of a Celtic cultural renaissance. Despite two hundred years of neglect the Gaelic language still thrives and is spoken today by over two-thirds of the area's population.

Today the islands are home to a vibrant mix of traditional and contemporary talent in the fields of music, dance, theatre and the visual arts. From small scale exhibitions to the internationally acclaimed Hebridean Celtic Music Festival, culture on the islands continues to flourish.