- published: 07 Jun 2009
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Coordinates: 58°12′32″N 6°23′13″W / 58.209°N 6.387°W / 58.209; -6.387
Stornoway (Scottish Gaelic: Steòrnabhagh) is a burgh on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
The town's population is around 9,000, making it the largest settlement in the Western Isles (with a third of the population) and the third largest town in the Scottish Highlands after Inverness and Fort William. The civil parish of Stornoway, including various nearby villages, has a population of approximately 12,000. Stornoway is an important port and the major town and administrative centre of the Outer Hebrides. It is home to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the Western Isles Council) and a variety of educational, sporting and media establishments. Observance of the Christian Sabbath (Sunday) is a prominent and sometimes controversial aspect of the town's culture.
Stornoway was originally a Viking settlement[citation needed] and developed around its well sheltered natural harbour. Reflecting this, the name Stornoway itself is derived from 'Stjórnavágr', an Old Norse word for 'steering bay'. Medieval development of the town was spurred by the construction of the original castle in the High Middle Ages by the Nicolson (or MacNicol) family, themselves of Viking descent. Infighting between rival clans continued throughout the Late Middle Ages and resisted an attempt by the then King of Scotland James VI to colonise Lewis in 1597.
Stornoway - Zorbing (Official Video)
Stornoway - Get Low (Official Video)
Stornoway - Fuel Up (4AD Session)
Stornoway - Farewell Appalachia (Official Video)
Stornoway - I Saw You Blink (Official Video)
WLT - Stornoway - I Saw You Blink
Stornoway 1964
Stornoway - The Only Way Is Up (Official Audio)
Stornoway - Boats And Trains
Stornoway - Man On Wire (Official Video)
Stornoway - Knock Me On The Head
Lovely Stornoway
Stornoway - Watching Birds (Official video)
Stornoway - The Road You Didn't Take (Official Audio)