Stornoway
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Contents
World Factbook Entry
Best Place in The World to Live - Please Feel Free to Visit, or Better Still, Come and Stay.
Based on the True Stornoway
The following is taken from Wikipedia.org. Read more about Stornoway in Wikipedia. [1]
Stornoway (Steòrnabhagh in Scottish Gaelic) is a burgh on Lewis (Leòdhas), in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, with a population of approximately 5,600 people in the town itself, out of a total population of 26,370 for the whole of the Western Isles. It is the major town and administrative centre of the Outer Hebrides and is home to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the Western Isles Council).
Stornoway was originally a Viking settlement and developed around its well sheltered natural harbour. Reflecting this, the name Stornoway itself is derived from 'Sjornavagr', 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, and the Western Isles as a whole, is known throughout Scotland for its adherence to the Sabbath (Christian observance - on Sundays). While some believe this to be simply a lack of amenities and facilities for locals and tourists, others believe it to be a vital aspect of island life, a link to tradition and an alternative to the more active lifestyle prevalent on the mainland. As Stornoway, with the majority of the island's services, shops and businesses, undergoes the most visible change on a Sunday it is often seen as a focal point for the whole issue.
Notable buildings in Stornoway include Stornoway Town Hall and the neo-gothic Lews Castle. It is also home to a new arts centre, an Lanntair, containing an art gallery, auditorium for film showings, music and other performances, a restaurant and bar. Other attractions include a museum and the Lewis Loom Centre.
Stornoway Tidbits
Stornoway became immortalised in the song ‘Lovely Stornoway’ by Calum Kennedy and Bob Halfin.
Stornoway’s own Charlie Barley and his Black Pudding recipe is famous throughout the world for its exceptional flavour and its undisclosed recipe.
RAF Stornoway is featured in the Tom Clancy novel Red Storm Rising as a base for Allied air operations over the North Atlantic and against Soviet-held Iceland.
Lovely Stornoway
'Lovely Stornoway' is a Scottish country song sung by Calum Kennedy and written by Bob Halfin. Lyrics are as follows: [2]
Make your way to Stornoway,
On the road to Orinsay,
Where my thoughts return each day,
By lovely Stornoway.
Where the folks are truly kind,
Where you leave the world behind,
Where each cloud is silver lined,
By lovely Stornoway.
So make your way to Stornoway,
On the road to Orinsay,
Where my thoughts return each day,
By lovely Stornoway.
The town Hall clock of Stornoway,
Chimes it's message every day,
Heaven can't be far away,
From lovely Stornoway.
No more worries, no more care,
If you choose to settle there,
Love will find you ev'rywhere,
By lovely Stornoway.
And no matter where you are,
Hitch your wagon to a star,
Heaven can't be very far,
From lovely Stornoway.
Island of Lewis
'Island of Lewis' is a piece of poetry written about the isle, currently unattributed to any author.
"This Island of Lewis,
Surrounded by sea,
Is unique in it’s lifestyle,
Just as it should be.
But the good folk of Lewis,
Surrounded are too,
By extremists of viewpoints,
Tho’, thankfully, few.
There are cynics on the one hand,
Who denounce all Christian views,
And, ‘Righteous’ men, who All condemn,
Scandal is their news.
So let’s unite, All Lewis folk,
Both ‘Pagan’ and ‘Devout’,
We’ll make this Isle a better place,
Of That there is no doubt."
Links
- http://s6.invisionfree.com/Stornoway_IOL
- http://www.funtrivia.com/private/main.cfm?tid=25068
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stornoway
