Lewis

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The Isle of Lewis is located in the Outer Hebrides and makes up the northern part of Lewis and Harris. Lewis is the more flatter, fertile part whereas Harris is more mountainous.

Three quarters of the Eilean Siar population live on Lewis. Lewis and Harris have a population of 21,131, a 6% increase in the 2011 census, with around 18,500 of these residing on Lewis.  Most settlements are on the coast of the island, including the largest settlement and only town, Stornoway on the more fertile, eastern coast.  There are large number of freshwater lochs in the south of the island compared to the north.

There is a daily Caledonian Macbrayne ferry service from Stornoway to Ullapool on the mainland with more frequent services during the summer months.  There is also an airport in Stornoway, with planes flying frequently to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Benbecula.

Religion is important on the island  with most of population belonging to the Free Church and Church of Scotland. Most shops and businesses are closed on the sabbath.

There are 23 primary schools on the island with 15 of these providing Gaelic Medium Education. Many of them provide the first 2 years of secondary education too, and then pupils go on to study at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway, the only six-year secondary education provider on the island. Education is provided under the remit of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council).

The Galson Trust manages the 56,000 acre community-owned Galson estate in the North West of the Isle of Lewis. Their community turbine is now generating, visit their website to read more about their projects.

SOCIAL HOUSING

Hebridean Housing Partnership manages the social housing stock on the Isle of Lewis. It is a not-for-profit housing association that manages over 2000 properties in the Western Isles. If you would like more information on HHP and social housing on Lewis, or you are looking for a housing application form, please visit their website.

For an overview of the number of HHP properties on Lewis, click here.

HOUSE PLOTS

Any house plots available on Lewis are listed herehere and at the Estate Agent links below.

PRIVATE RENTED HOUSING & HOUSING FOR SALE

The Scottish Government promotes initiatives to help first time buyers, but some like the Help to Buy scheme and the MI New Home initiatives are mainly available for new build housing in locations outside of the Hebrides.

Open Market LIFT may be accessible, however access to financial support is currently limited and house price thresholds are low.

Islanders may also be able to get help to buy through the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

Information on properties available for rent  and sale can be found at the following locations:

Hebridean Estate Agency | Western Isles Properties | Gumtree | Rightmove |

 

TIG IMAGE

“The Local Housing Agency”

www.tighean.co.uk