islands located north scottish mainland kilometres area square kilometres ninth largest island archipelago bedrock island exposed sea cliffs preserved tombs evidence bronze age settlement remains norse era castle period scottish rule substantial property developed short period british era agricultural improvements introduced substantial decline population mid nineteenth century century partnership success promoting island economy local reflect diverse linguistic heritage landscapes island surrounding seas attract abundant wildlife geography geology kilometres long north south metres wide narrow neck land sands bay london described waist centre island largely covered heather cultivation confined coasts highest points island centre hill west north south reaches metres derives norse common highest point island past lighting warning largest body fresh water acre south east hill lies western narrow waist smaller north coast population dispersed coastal island status village populous settled areas concentrations east coast post office community facility converted chapel south ferry mainland docks surrounded small islands seemingly impossible green north isles lies metres north settlement east sound south east south west straits known fall lies kilometres west lie north west larger island common neighbouring isles largely formed middle old red sandstone deposited substantial sequence found locations area sound type area places metres thick largely composed yellow red intervening grey rock easily yellow construction sequence deformed major fold north south youngest sequence upper sandstone north island bay red head oldest sequence found eastern island bight war west formed upper sandstone history limited archaeological record provides evidence life later houses monumental structures archipelago parallel united_kingdom located commanding position overlooking metres diameter metres high narrow entrance passage type tomb leads central chamber cells sites interest include stone standing stone dominates col north metres high tallest rectangular shape excavated contains small chamber compartments larger stalls separate entrance probably added later date bronze age sites island provide dramatic remains south west burnt mound period ruins houses similar age near fold metre diameter bronze age enclosure located north site large iron age containing saddle north west settled archaeological evidence sparse norse known conquered occupied isles norse contacts scotland certainly written records 8th century nature frequency unknown place evidence norse presence conclusive little known life island time norse era ruins dates 12th 13th centuries lie green mound east castle important building time scottish rule influx scottish helped create diverse independent community included farmers fishermen merchants called proved increasingly able defend rights feudal nonetheless actions aristocracy continue provide information known affairs time reformation granted bishop turbulent times duties included defend reforming bishop whatsoever invaders later year anti catholic riot son william took running estate course debt edward man aged william attempted sell family interest earl new proprietor sent half dozen broken highland men alarm notorious able use poor relationship elderly father edward son claiming william fired muskets grabbed neck like dog action acting alleged behalf edward evicted william took extraction building stone quarry earl brother granted constructed shortly manufacture salt salt product described fine 17th century undertaken substantial scale indifferent quality early 19th century conducted cottage industry extraction important industry past obtained fuel material exported mainland scotland stewart ambitions considerable described town port right appoint hold markets likely flourish location british era decade 18th century new kingdom great_britain time great interest agricultural improvement changes brought significance mid nineteenth century example potatoes grown comparison gradual changes saw drama property owned school friend smith trader smith notorious pirate sought escape authorities making raid ship revenge ran aground men took prisoner held given reward bell revenge early nineteenth century industry provided significant employment islands market collapsed caused considerable especially hard hit families allowed develop land rising populations meant increasing land values especially small valued acre nearly times price larger farms 20th century saw decline immigration mainland scotland essentially unknown late 1950s population eighth total years earlier etymology derived means island specifically associated economic activity route movement goods boats coast numerous names islands north_atlantic include found west mainland derived bay near central derived meaning courthouse indicating important meeting place norse period scottish history 17th century known common islands place names generally mixture norse scots english influences names existed arrival scandinavian settlers appear completely common signifies enclosure area east coast norse suggests important farm good fertile land associated smaller norse origins inn meaning woodland longer description largely landscape old norse means creatures sandy land bay arrival viking settlers local names reflect activities pre norse monks farm near indicate link past connection means certain occurs frequently rocky coast norse means narrow deep face cliff transport economy reached sea air ferries provide daily ferry crossings inter island air service operated connects airport airport farming local economy especially livestock flocks sheep kept based scottish government backed research facility installed wave testing system mainland tidal power testing station overlooking test site chosen marine currents reach metres second spring tides seven offshore testing connected north isles section national grid underground cable local development trust active promoting island economy instigated numerous projects including heritage centre purchase new diesel tank island community projects contributed island economy community owned wind turbine planned income asset generate expected reduce fuel poverty island support new community enterprises create affordable housing july island celebrated opening restored heritage display area permanent archive café tourist information point records life island past housed centre wind turbine island population recorded census increase usual residents period scottish island populations grew natural history early 19th century wrote local flora island great consisting barren covers acres pretty little plant seed species wild plants recorded island including found century described absolutely birds today red divers arctic black offshore shore birds include meadow rock woodland attracts variety migrants seen coasts colonies harbour grey seals white whale killer whale occasional visitors area ranger guided walks year prominent natives australian pioneer union leader politician born represented born
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