Fàilte! Welcome!

Taing dhuibh airson tadhal air a’ làrach-lìn againn agus tha mi an dòchas gu faigh sibh fiosrachadh a tha feumail dhuibh.

Thank you for visiting our web-site and I hope you will find the information helpful.

Iain Macaulay in his Lieutenant's uniform

’S e prìomh dhleastanas Morair-ionaid a’ Chrùin ’s na h-Eileanan Siar, a bhith a’ riochdachadh A Mhòrachd An Rìgh agus a’ dion inbhe a’ Chrùin. Tha mi dèanamh ceangal eadar An Rìgh agus na h-eileanan agus a’ brosnachadh co-obrachadh am measg nam buidhnean saor-thoileach agus nan seirbheisean armachd sa choimhearsnachd againn.

Tha mi an-còmhnaidh ro-thoilichte tadhal air buidhnean airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh a thoirt seachad air obair na dreuchd agus ma tha sibh airson ’s gun tadhail mi oirbh leigibh fhios thugam aig:

Iain MacAmhlaidh
Morair-ionaid a’ Chrùin
'Solas', 81 Col Uarach
Eilean Leòdhais, HS2 0LT

Fòn-taighe – (01851) 820501
Fòn-làimhe – 07747456059
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As Lord-Lieutenant of the Western Isles, I represent His Majesty The King and my overall duty is to uphold the dignity of the Crown. I am the link between His Majesty and the islands and my role is to encourage a spirit of co-operation in the voluntary, uniformed and armed forces sectors of our community.

I am always available to visit groups to provide more information on the role and work of the Lord-Lieutenant. If you would like a visit, you can get in touch with me at:

Iain Macaulay
HM Lord-Lieutenant
'Sollas', 81 Upper Coll
Isle of Lewis, HS2 0LT

Telephone – (01851) 820501
Mobile – 07747456059
e-mail:

Mu dheidhinn na h-Eileanan Siar

Tha na h-Eileanan Siar a’ gabhail a-steach prìomh eileanan Leòdhais, Na Hearadh, Scalpaigh, Beàrnaraigh, Uibhist a Tuath, Beinn na Fadhla, Uibhist a Deas, Èirisgeigh, Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh. A bharrachd air Hiort agus Rockall, tha 50 eilean fàsach san roinn cuideachd. Tha 130 mhìltean de dh’astar eadar an ceann a tuath agus an ceann a deas agus tha cabhsairean agus bàtaichean aiseig a’ ceangal nan 6 prìomh eileanan.

Tha 2898sq Km de mheudachd anns na h-eileanan air fad.

Aig Cunntais-sluaigh 2011 bha 27,684 a’ fuireach anns na h-Eileanan Siar le 53% luchd-bruidhinn na Gàidhlig, gar dèanamh mar an sgìre as motha ann an Alba airson luchd-labhairt a’ chànain.

About the Western Isles

The Western Isles comprises the main islands of Lewis, Harris, Scalpay, Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay, South Uist, Barra and Vatersay. In addition to St Kilda and Rockall, the area also covers some 50 uninhabited islands. The distance between the north and the south is some 130 miles and causeways and ferries link the main 6 islands.

The islands cover an area of 2898 sq Km.

The population of the Western Isles, at the 2011 Census, was 27,684 of which 53% were Gaelic speakers making it the largest Gaelic speaking community in Scotland.

Cò sinn? Who are we?

Iain Macaulay holding remembrance wreath

The Lord-Lieutenant

Iain Macaulay was appointed Lord-Lieutenant on 22nd March 2022, in succession to Donald Martin CVO who was appointed Lord-Lieutenant on 24th November 2016, having succeeded Alexander Matheson CVO, OBE who had held the post since 2001.

The native Gaelic speaker was born and brought up in Sollas, North Uist and has been a Deputy Lieutenant since 2003.

He retired as Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s (Western Isles Council’s) Director of Social and Community Services in 2016 after a 35-year career in social work and has taken on more diverse voluntary roles since then.

His main interest since retiring have been on family and participation in a number of voluntary community organisations while he also enjoys gardening, walking, spending time in Uist and following sport; in particular Scottish and English football.

Iain is married to Anne and they have two children, Marion and Andrew, who were brought up on our Grenitote croft in North Uist before moving to Lewis in 1997 on his appointment as Depute Director of Social Work.

Marion is a Gaelic Medium teacher in Inverness Gaelic School and is married to Iain who works for the Crown Prosecution Service. They have a son, James.

Andrew is the Western Isles Child Protection Coordinator and is married to Marianne who is a community nurse. They have three young girls, Orla, Iris and Annie who live in the same village as us.

Leas Morair-ionaid a’ Chrùin

Tha Ealasaid (Betty) Nic An t-Saoir à Barraigh na Leas Morair-ionaid a’ Chrùin. Bha i na manaidseir ann an oifis an CAB ann am Barraigh agus na Comhairliche bho 1990 gu 1994. Bha i na ball de Bhòrd Slàinte nan Eilean bho 1997 gu 2005 agus na Iar Chathraiche air a’ Bhòrd airson an dà bhliadhna mu dheireadh. Bha i cuideachd air Bòrd Colaisde a’ Chaisteil fad 8 bliadhna gu 2010, na Cathraiche airson na 2 mu dheireadh. Chaidh a suidheachadh na Iar Mhorair ann an 1998 agus tha i air seirbheisean a thoirt seachad do ceithir Mhorair-ionaid a’ Chrùin.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant is Elizabeth (Betty) McAtear from Barra. Mrs McAtear is a former manager of the local CAB office in Barra and was a local Councillor from 1990 to 1994. She served as a member of the Western Isles Health Board from 1997 to 2005 and was Vice Chair of the Board for the last two years of her term. She also served on the Board of Lews Castle College for 8 years till 2010, the final 2 years as its Chair. She was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 1998 and has since served four Lord-Lieutenants.

Iar Mhorair-ionaid

  • Mairead Doig DL Steòrnabhagh, Leòdhas
  • Seòras MacDhòmhnaill DL Steòrnabhagh
  • Alasdair MacEachainn DL, Beinn na Fadhla
  • Aonghas S Mac an t-Saoir DL, Bornis, Uibhist a Deas
  • Ceitidh Anna NicFhionghain DL, Na Hearadh
  • Coinneach Iain MacIllFhinnein MBE DL, Calanais, Leòdhas
  • Anna Nicsuain, DL, Dail bho Thuath, Leòdhas

Deputy Lieutenants

  • Margaret Doig DL, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
  • George Macdonald DL, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
  • Alasdair MacEachen DL, Benbecula
  • Angus J Macintrye DL, Bornish, Isle of South Uist
  • Katie Ann Mackinnon DL, Stockinish, Harris
  • Kenneth John MacLennan MBE DL, Callanish, Isle of Lewis.
  • Annie Macsween DL MBE, North Dell, Isle of Lewis

Rianadair

Tha Rianadair aig gach Morair-ionaid airson taic agus comhairle le cùisean rianachd.

’S i Mairead NicAoidh bho Dhail bho Dheas ann an Leòdhas, a tha na Stiùiriche aig companaidh lagh Anderson Macarthur ann an Steòrnabhagh a tha san dreuchd seo. Cheumnaich Mairead bho Oilthigh Ghlaschu.

Mairead NicAoidh
Rianadair gu Morair-ionaid a’ Chrùin
Seann-togalaichean Banca na h-Alba
STEÒRNABHAGH, HS1 2BG

Fòn-oifis – (01851) 703356
Fòn-làimhe – 07788 985 111
p-d:

Clerk to the Lieutenancy

Each Lieutenancy has a Clerk whose duty is to undertake the administrative functions for the Lord-Lieutenant.

The current Clerk is Margaret Mackay in Lewis who is a Director of the long-established Stornoway solicitors Anderson Macarthur. Margaret is a graduate of Glasgow University.

Margaret Mackay
Clerk to the Lieutenancy
Old Bank of Scotland Buildings
Stornoway, HS1 2BG

Office – (01851) 703356
Mobile – 07788 985 111
Email:

Naidheachdan News

Coronation Tree planted in Stornoway

news story illustration

A commemorative tree was planted at the top terrace of the Sunken Garden in the Castle Grounds, Stornoway on Thursday, 27th March to commemorate the Coronation of HM King Charles III on 6 May 2023. The tree was planted by the Lord-Lieutenant, Iain Macaulay, and Comhairle Convenor, Cllr Kenny Macleod. Also present were Stornoway Trust Chair, Norman Maciver, Factor, Iain Maciver, Cllr Duncan MacInnes, Comhairle Deputy Leader and David Bayly, Head Gardener.

The specimen tree is a white Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii). It has a white papery bark and was selected as it is more tolerant of the wet and heavy soils in the Castle Grounds.

Peter Dyer and Iain Murray of the Stornoway Trust sawmill are thanked for their craftmanship in creating the plinth and post.

Photograph caption L-R David Bayly; Trust Head Gardener, Iain Maciver; Trust Factor, Iain Macaulay; L-L, Cllr Kenny Macleod; Convener, Norman Maciver; Trust Factor, Cllr Duncan Macinnes; Deputy Leader.

RNLI 200th Anniversary Service in Glasgow Catherdral on the 10th of March 2024

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The Western Isles Lieutenancy was delighted that Margaret Doig, Deputy Lieutenant, (centre) was able to attend the RNLI's 200th Anniversary service celebrating the founding of this remarkable volunteer and life saving charity. Read more…

RNLI 200th Anniversary Service in Glasgow Catherdral on the 10th of March 2024

The Western Isles Lieutenancy was delighted that Margaret Doig, Deputy Lieutenant, (centre) was able to attend the RNLI's 200th Anniversary service celebrating the founding of this remarkable volunteer and life saving charity.

Boy's Brigade celebrate the arrival of the King's Baton to Stornoway on Saturday 23rd March

news story illustration

The Boy's Brigade had a most enjoyabe weekend, with James Allan and Jenny Salater from the North of Scotland BB, marking 140 years of the BB nationally and also 85 years at St. Columba's Parish Church in Stornoway. I was privileged to read the King's Message and also join Comhairle Convenor Kenny MacLeod in planting a commemorative tree in the church grounds. Read more…

Boy's Brigade celebrate the arrival of the King's Baton to Stornoway on Saturday 23rd March

The Boy's Brigade had a most enjoyabe weekend, with James Allan and Jenny Salater from the North of Scotland BB, marking 140 years of the BB nationally and also 85 years at St. Columba's Parish Church in Stornoway. I was privileged to read the King's Message and also join Comhairle Convenor Kenny MacLeod in planting a commemorative tree in the church grounds.

Newsletters

read latest newsletter Read the most recent PDF newsletter from the Lord Lieutenant here (or dip in to the archive).

A-nis leugh tuilleadh mu dheidhinn ur n-eachdraidh → agus ur dleasdanasan →, no faic dealbhan →.

Now find out more about our history → and our responsibilities →, or look at some pictures →.