Outer Hebrides | Innse Gall

It is worn all around the world, but it is woven across a string of islands in the Atlantic. Traditional Harris Tweed has become just one example of how the industry of the Outer Hebrides has impacted well beyond their shores.

A buoyant tourism and textiles industry flourishes across this archipelago, from Lewis in the North to Vatersay in the south.

Gaelic and Celtic culture and language bind together this chain of communities off the west coast of Scotland. Fifteen islands are inhabited, with the commercial and cultural hub of Stornoway being home to over 6,000 people.

Employment opportunities have grown with the development of Life Science industries in the region. Leading chemical producer BASF, which produces highly concentrated omega-3 fatty acids for pharmaceutical, clinical and general use, is a major employer on Lewis.

Atlantic rollers crashing along the miles of unspoiled beaches and reef breaks make the Outer Hebrides a world-renowned haven for surfers. On land, ancient relics such as the Calanish Standing Stones, Carloway Broch and Lews Castle also draw visitors by the thousand each year.

Gaelic and Celtic influences are upheld and protected in the region, each treasured as carefully as the stunning, yet fragile, natural environment.