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The Western Isles, also know as the Outer Hebrides, is a chain of islands off the west coast of mainland Scotland. They can also be referred to as ‘long island’ as they stretch for over 100 miles across the coastline and include the isles of Lewis and Harris, which are the biggest in the group, as well as the likes of North and South Uist, Bara and St. Kilda. It is believed the islands were inhabited as early as the Middle Stone Age after climate conditions bettered to sustain human life. After the Vikings invaded in the late 9th century, the Hebrides became under Norse control when Edgar of Scotland recognised the claim of Magnus III of Norway. However, at the Battle of Largs, while not taking place in Lewis, Scotland’s defeat of the Vikings led to the islands being rightfully ceded to Scotland in 1266, with the Lordship of the Isles came to the fore as the most important power in northwestern Scotland going into the 14th century. The islands have been, and continue to be, an area of huge interest to archaeologists and offer a vast amount of information about Scotland throughout history. Neolithic structures, medieval churches, and even mummies and all been found in the Western Isles with many archaeological sites open for the public to explore. You can even get up close and wander around the ancient Neolithic Callanish Stone Circle on the isle of Lewis.