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History and Culture

The history of the Western Isles is colourful and sometimes mysterious, ranging from the ancient peoples, and their Standing Stones and myths, through the Kingship and Lordship of the Isles, the clan system and the Highland Rebellions to the Highland Clearences and modern tourist destination. In the sections below this history is split into three sections: Firstly, a look at the ethnic mix and outside influences on the Islands (wider than you might think!). Secondly, the culture and beliefs of the people. Finally, the "textbook" history of factual events and people.

There is some overlap between these contents of these pages as they were originally written as seperate articles.