Eilean Siar (in English ‘Outer Hebrides’) is a county in the North West of Scotland with one of the smallest populations (26,000) and largest land masses (1185 sq miles). It is made up from many islands (some settled some not) that form a long archipelago diagonally across the West of Scotland separated from the mainland of Scotland by a small strip of water called the Minch.

The main population centre is Lewis and Harris with a population of over 19,000 inhabitants, smaller islands include: Benbecula, South Uist, North Uist, Barra and Scalpay.

Vikings raiders were common (but unwanted visitors) to the Outer Hebrides up to the 9^th century AD, the islands were signed over to Magnus III of Norway by the then King of Scotland Edgar in 1098. In 1266 the ‘Treaty of Perth’ took back control of these islands to Scottish control.

Ferry links are very important in the Outer Hebrides with links to the mainland and other islands some of which run only run in the summer. Links can be frequently disrupted in bad weather.