Outer hybrids. Hebrides: description, attractions, interesting facts and reviews. Borerea, St. Kilda Archipelago

• 1 Description
  • 1.1 Inner Hebrides
  • 1.2 Outer Hebrides
• 2 History
• 3 Economy
• 4 Notes

Description

The Hebrides are a widely scattered group of about 500 rocky, mostly high islands, of which about 100 are inhabited. The surface is about 7.2 thousand km², of which about 1.6 thousand km² is occupied by lakes. Most of the surface is rocky or marshy plains (peat bogs). There are low mountains up to 1009 m (Mount Cullin Hills on the Isle of Skye), as well as lava fields and traces of ancient glaciation (troughs, karrs).

Humid maritime climate, the average temperature in January is 4-6 °C, in July - 12-14 °C. There is a lot of precipitation, up to 2000 mm per year. From the vegetation - meadows on soddy-coarse-humus and soddy-peaty soils, heaths, occasionally groves of stunted birch.

Inner Hebrides

The Inner Hebrides include the islands of Skye, Mull, Islay, Jura, Ram, etc. The northern islands are part of the Highland region, the southern ones are part of the Argyll and Bute region.

Outer Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides include the islands of Lewis and Harris (consisting of two historical parts of Lewis and Harris, often referred to as "islands"), North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Barra, and others. The Outer Hebrides administratively form the Western Isles region.

Story

The very first inhabitants of these islands were, apparently, the Picts, who from 843 were considered subjects of the Scottish kings, and by the 12th century were practically assimilated by the Scots. for many centuries, the islands were in fact under the rule of the Scottish elders. An Act of Parliament of 1748 deprived these latter of their rights, but even at the present time most of the land is the property of the chiefs of the Scottish tribes (clans).

Economy

The inhabitants are mainly engaged in fishing and animal husbandry. The production of woolen fabrics (tweed) has been established; tourism. The largest city is Stornoway on the Lewes.

Notes

1. 1 2 Hebrides - Dictionary of Modern Geographical Names / Ed. ed. acad. V. M. Kotlyakova. - Electronic edition. - Yekaterinburg: U-Factoria, 2006
2. Hebrides - article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Along the western coast of Scotland lie the impregnable Hebrides, which seem cold and inhospitable. However, travelers find a special romance in them and fall in love with a distant land famous for its picturesque landscapes. Even in ancient times, the archipelago with a fickle sea element was mentioned in the writings of the Romans and Greeks.

From time immemorial, people who defy fate tried to survive in harsh conditions, and the Vikings and Celtic tribes, the British and Scots dreamed of taking over the land, most of which was rocky or swampy.

Some facts about the archipelago

The archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean, has received the unofficial name "miniature Scotland" for the variety of unique attractions. Conventionally, it is divided into two groups - the Outer and Inner Hebrides. If the former are separated by the Little Minch Strait and huddle compactly to the north-west of the autonomous region, then the latter are located off the coast of a state that is part of Great Britain.

The Hebrides, consisting of approximately 500 small islands (no more than a hundred are inhabited), are a real kingdom of chilly wind and powerful waves. Once upon a time, a giant piece of land broke away from the mainland, shattered into many parts. This is how the Hebrides archipelago appeared with an area of ​​​​7.2 thousand km 2. More than 1.5 thousand km 2 are occupied by lakes, thanks to which a special climate has formed with frequent rains and fogs coming from the west.

As tourists note, the weather here is extremely changeable: within an hour, the clear sky is covered with gray clouds, and the Hebrides, which are a continuation of the mountain ranges of Scotland, are hidden in a milky shroud. And the pacifying sea waves of a transparent blue hue are immediately replaced by frightening giant shafts of lead color.

Ancient monuments of Scotland

It is impossible not to mention the important role of the archipelago not only in the formation, but also in the preservation of Scottish culture. Here you can get acquainted with ancient monuments of great interest to tourists. On those islands that are inhabited, majestic castles rise, which have come down to descendants from past eras. In a mysterious gray haze, they acquire a mysterious halo, and it seems as if old Scottish legends about valiant knights who fought dragons come to life here.

The unique island of Staffa with caves and basalt columns

Staffa Island is one of the most interesting places in the Hebrides in Scotland. Tourists who have visited an unusual corner admit that their hearts sank at the sight of fantastic landscapes. Stone basalt columns, which give the territory a mystical charm, and numerous underground kingdoms attract guests admiring the miracle of nature.

The most famous is Fingal's Cave with excellent acoustics, for which it was nicknamed "singing". The sounds of the surf, which are reflected under its arches, are carried everywhere, and experts compare it with a majestic cathedral. The miraculous sights have been under the protection of UNESCO since 1968.

Secrets and mysteries

The Hebrides, formed during the Ice Age, are a place where a human foot does not often set foot, and each pearl of the archipelago boasts both a curious history and unique sights. As scientists say, there are more than enough local mysteries here, and the unusual megalithic complex located on the Outer Hybrid Island is proof of this.

Isle of Lewis and Scottish Stonehenge

An analogue of the English Stonehenge, surpassing it in age, is located in the village of Callanish (Lewis Island). In 1981, an archaeological expedition unearthed a stone circle covered with a thick layer of peat, which received the same name. Inside thirteen vertical boulders just over three meters high, cleared of soil, there is a huge slab. Experts believe that the mysterious circle was erected by adherents of the Moon cult about five thousand years ago.

It is known that until the 19th century, local residents gathered at the stone guards on a certain day and performed mysterious rituals. It is curious that behind the cobblestones there are smaller blocks, and from a height the outlines of a Celtic cross are visible, the ends of which are directed to the four cardinal points. Unfortunately, there is no information about the builders of the most impressive place in the archipelago. Only their engineering skills are not questioned, which made it possible to create a real miracle that raises many questions among modern scientists.

In addition, other mystical stone structures are located on the territory, as well as burial mounds, the secrets of the appearance of which have sunk into oblivion along with those who erected them. The megaliths found by scientists testify to the activity of primitive man in the Neolithic - the New Stone Age. Eight years ago, another structure was discovered, so far poorly studied by archaeologists, who suggested that it was ritual.

Isle of Harris

The Outer Hebrides, which form one of the 32 regions of the country, include the isle of Harris, on whose sandy beaches tourists love to relax.

Harris and Lewis are the same large island, which is divided into two parts by a narrow isthmus. A wonderful corner with beautiful landscapes is considered the heart of Scotland. The north of the island is peat bogs, and the south with stunning beaches is chosen by vacationers.

Isle of Skye

The Kuirang mountain range, located in the north of the largest island of Skye (the Inner Hebrides archipelago), resembles a place, fantastic landscapes are transferred to a magical world far from reality. Its main attraction is the rocky Cape Trotternish, which delights with basalt blocks rising above the water surface.

Tourists who appreciate the beauty of sheer cliffs, majestic mountain peaks, powerful cliffs, it seems that they are in a real fairy tale. It was only created by mother nature, like the most famous rock, reminiscent of its protrusions of an old man who peers intently into the distance.

North Rhone Island

A secluded corner in the North Atlantic is so isolated from everyone else that it is often forgotten to put it on the geographical map of Great Britain. Many centuries ago, the island was chosen as a haven by Christian hermits, later it was inhabited by the Scandinavian peoples who captured the Hebrides.

In the 8th century, an Irish bishop settled here, who was later recognized as Saint Ronan. Ronan erected a chapel - the oldest Christian building in Scotland, which has survived to this day. Curious guests of the miniature island can crawl into the semi-submerged structure made of earth and see the ascetic decoration that sheds light on how hermits lived on the Rhone a thousand years ago.

The harsh and impregnable Hebrides is the realm of wind and waves.

Hebrides- an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Scotland, are part of the British Isles group. The two island chains of the archipelago - the Inner and Outer Hebrides, are separated by the straits of Little Minch and North Minch, as well as the inland Hebrides Sea.

TO Inner Hebrides(Inner Hebrides) include the islands of Skye, Mull, Isla, Jura, Rum, Staffa, etc.; To Outer Hebrides(Outer Hebrides) - the islands of Lewis, Harris, North Uist, South Uist, Barra and others. The Outer Hebrides make up one of the 32 regions of Scotland.

All the Hebrides have more than 500 islands with a total area of ​​​​more than 7.5 thousand square kilometers, 100 of them are inhabited.

Cape Trotternish, Isle of Skye

At Trotternish Point on the Isle of Skye, basalt pillars hang over the Strait of Rasay. They testify to the powerful geological displacements that formed this piece of land.

Callanish Stone Ring, Isle of Lewis

The mysterious stone ring is located near the village of Callanish. These stone pillars probably stood here before the pyramids were built. People settled on the island 5000 years ago, they were engaged in agriculture, fishing, hunting - and construction.

The outer stones rise to 3.5 meters. In the center of the stone ring is a mysterious monolith about 5 m high, which is the top of a small partially destroyed burial. It is surrounded by a ring of thirteen columns. Three short rows of vertically standing blocks diverge, like rays, from the ring approximately to the east, west and south, and a wide alley approximately to the north. In general, it resembles the spokes of a wheel. It is believed that the mysterious monument was built in the late Neolithic era, around 1975 BC. e.

Like the famous Stonehenge, the 13-meter circle at Kalanisha was an important ritual center.

Nearby, on the shores of Loch Roag, there are three smaller stone rings. Mysterious stones appear in many legends. So, one of them, typical of the stories associated with stone rings, says: the stones were once people, they are severely punished for refusing to accept Christianity.

A rising mist reveals a distant island in the Atlantic Ocean. People have survived for thousands of years in the St. Kilda archipelago, but its last inhabitants left their secluded homes about eighty years ago.

Berneray Island, west coast

Twilight hung over the pale sands, scattered shells, and dense dune grass that stretched for miles along the Atlantic coast of the Bernerey. The winding hills of Harris Island in the background fade into a blue shadow on the distant horizon.

Red Cullin Mountains, Isle of Skye

This large, rocky and intricate island is surrounded by spectacular coastal landscapes, and Quillins Peak is a "tidbit" for climbers.

The calm surface of the water and the veil of fog give the wrong idea of ​​​​the invincible power that sculpted the granite hills. Born as the foundations of huge volcanoes, they have been exposed to the powerful destructive action of wind and water for millions of years, and the pressure of glacial ice gradually gave them a soft, rounded shape.

Mungerst, Isle of Lewis

Dangerous waters of the Hebrides with sharp sea cliffs and rocks, oddly enough, were chosen by surfers. Mangersta is popular with athletes because it has a steady northeasterly wind all year round. In addition, these parts are not crowded.

Grimersta, Isle of Lewis

Fresh water from the upper lakes, bubbling, rushes down to the sea along wide rocky terraces. “It’s easy to find a place on the island where no man-made sounds can be heard,” says Alice Starmore, a native of Lewis, “but land and water are never silent.”

Hirta, St Kilda Archipelago

Stone walls still skirt patches of arable land on uneven hillsides above the ruins of St Kilda's main settlement. These fences protected oat and barley crops from salty winds and livestock. The hive-like buildings were used to store food and peat, which the islanders used as fuel; hundreds of such warehouses have survived to this day.

Fingal's Cave, Isle of Staffa

Row after row of basalt pillars fill the sea cave. Its eternal darkness is illuminated only by the camera. The natural purity of the lines of these columns and the echo of the breaking waves have attracted travelers since the 18th century.

Borerea, St. Kilda Archipelago

Armadas of seabirds circle the sky, narrow rocky ledges dotted with their nests. Often hidden behind clouds, the northern tip of the island protrudes 400 meters above the ocean; here the offspring of 60 thousand pairs of cormorants are raised - the largest colony in the world. The inhabitants of St Kilda climbed these rocks barefoot, catching birds and collecting eggs to feed themselves.

Photo by Jim Richardson/National Geographic

The harsh and impregnable Hebrides is the realm of wind and waves. But this is at first glance. An attentive traveler will find a special romance and beauty here. Photos Jim Richardson

The Inner and Outer Hebrides are more than five hundred islands and islets. It is often foggy and rainy there, the winds blow almost continuously, and the sea elements around are so fickle that even the most experienced captain can experience fear. In these seas, everything is changeable: in an hour, the measured silky swaying of the waves of a piercing blue tropical color is replaced by a stormy invasion of lead foam shafts.

Berneray Island, west coast

Twilight hung over the pale sands, scattered shells, and dense dune grass that stretched for miles along the Atlantic coast of the Bernerey. The sinuous line of the Harris Hills in the background fades into a blue shadow on the distant horizon.

Hirta, St Kilda

Stone walls still skirt patches of arable land on uneven hillsides above the ruins of St Kilda's main settlement. These fences protected oat and barley crops from salty winds and livestock. The hive-like buildings were used to store food and peat, which the islanders used as fuel; hundreds of such warehouses have survived to this day.

Boreray, St Kilda

Armadas of seabirds circle the sky, narrow rocky ledges dotted with their nests. Often hidden behind clouds, the northern tip of the island protrudes 400 meters above the ocean; here the offspring of 60 thousand pairs of cormorants are raised - the largest colony in the world. The inhabitants of St Kilda climbed these rocks barefoot, catching birds and collecting eggs to feed themselves.

Mungerst, Isle of Lewis

Dangerous waters of the Hebrides with sharp sea cliffs and rocks, oddly enough, were chosen by surfers. Mangersta is popular with athletes because it has a steady northeasterly wind all year round. In addition, these parts are not crowded.

Calanish, Isle of Lewis

These stone pillars probably stood here before the pyramids were built. People settled on the island 5000 years ago, they were engaged in agriculture, fishing, hunting - and construction. The outer stones rise 3.5 meters, the central pillar - 4.5 meters. Like the famous Stonehenge, the 13-meter circle at Kalanisha was an important ritual center.

Grimersta, Isle of Lewis

Fresh water from the upper lakes, bubbling, rushes down to the sea along wide rocky terraces. “It’s easy to find a place on the island where no man-made sounds can be heard,” says Alice Starmore, a native of Lewis, “but land and water are never silent.”

Boreray, St Kilda

A rising mist reveals a distant island in the Atlantic Ocean. People have survived for thousands of years in the St. Kilda archipelago, but its last inhabitants left their secluded homes about eighty years ago.

Cape Trotternish, Isle of Skye

At Trotternish Point on the Isle of Skye, basalt pillars hang over the Strait of Rasay. They testify to the powerful geological displacements that formed this piece of land.