Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides

Gaelic name	Na h-Eileanan Siar
Meaning of name	Western Isles
Location
Outer Hebrides Outer Hebrides shown within Scotland
OS grid reference	NB426340
Coordinates	57°46′N 7°01′W / 57.76°N 7.02°W / 57.76; -7.02Coordinates: 57°46′N 7°01′W / 57.76°N 7.02°W / 57.76; -7.02
Physical geography
Area	3,058 km2 (1,181 sq mi)
Highest elevation	Clisham 799 m (2,621 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Demographics
Population	27,100
Pop. density	8 per km2
Largest settlement	Stornoway

The Outer Hebrides (/ˈhɛbrᵻdiːz/), also known as the Western Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar [nə ˈhelanən ˈʃiəɾ] or Na h-Eileanan an Iar [nəˈhelanən əˈɲiəɾ]), Innse Gall ("islands of the strangers") or the Long Isle or Long Island (Gaelic: An t-Eilean Fada), is an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The islands are geographically with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. They form part 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. Scottish Gaelic is the predominant spoken language, although in a few areas English speakers form a majority.

Most of the islands have a bedrock formed from ancient metamorphic rocks and the climate is mild and oceanic. The 15 inhabited islands have a total population of 27,100 and there are more than 50 substantial uninhabited islands. From Barra Head to the Butt of Lewis is roughly 210 kilometres (130 mi).