Great Bernera
| Gaelic name |  Beàrnaraigh Mòr |
|---|---|
| Norse name | bjarnar-øy |
| Meaning of name | Bjørn's island from Norse |
| Location | |
 Great Bernera
Great Bernera shown within the Outer Hebrides
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| OS grid reference | NB162344 |
| Coordinates | 58°12′N 6°51′W / 58.2°N 6.85°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Lewis and Harris |
| Area | 2122 ha |
| Area rank | 34 |
| Highest elevation | 87 metres (285 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Na h-Eileanan Siar |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 252 |
| Population rank | 29 |
| Population density | 11.9 people/km2 |
| Largest settlement | Breaclete |
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| References | |
Great Bernera (Scottish Gaelic: Beàrnaraigh Mòr, pronounced [ˈpjaːrˠn̪ˠəɾaj moːɾ]), often known just as Bernera (Scottish Gaelic: Beàrnaraigh) is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. With an area of just over 21 km2 (8.1 sq mi), it is the thirty-fourth largest Scottish island.
Great Bernera lies in Loch Roag on the north-west coast of Lewis and is linked to it by a road bridge. Built in 1953, the bridge was the first pre-stressed concrete bridge in Europe. The main settlement on the island is Breaclete (Gaelic: Breacleit).
The island, under the name of "Borva", was the setting for A Princess of Thule (1873) by the Scottish novelist William Black. The novel is notable for its descriptions of the local scenery.
The island's name is Norse in origin and is derived in honour of Bjarnar, father of the Norse Chieftain of Lewis Ketil Bjarnarson (or the Flatneif). The vast majority of placenames in the district are similarly Norse, implying extensive Viking settlement.
The most common name on Great Bernera is MacDonald (MacDhòmhnaill or Dòmhnallach), and these are said to be descended from a watchman of the Macaulays of Uig, who gave him the island in return for his services.
Since 1962, the island has been owned by Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees, a former Queen's Herald, who is recognised as Laird of Bernera. He eventually inherited the title Prince of Coronata and died in 2012. His home Bernera Lodge was at Kirkibost.
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Wikipedia