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.

Iar Mhorair-ionaid

  • Mairead Doig DL Steòrnabhagh, Leòdhas
  • Curstaidh Nic a’ Bhreatannaich, DL, Àird Mhidhinis, Eilean Bharraigh
  • Seòras MacDhòmhnaill DL Steòrnabhagh
  • Alasdair MacEachainn DL, Beinn na Fadhla
  • Aonghas S Mac an t-Saoir DL, Bornis, Uibhist a Deas
  • Mairead NicAoidh DL, Nis, Eilean Leòdhais
  • Ceitidh Anna NicFhionghain DL, Na Hearadh
  • Coinneach Iain MacIllFhinnein MBE DL, Calanais, Leòdhas

Deputy Lieutenants

  • Margaret Doig DL, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
  • Christine Galbraith DL, Ardveenish, Isle of Barra
  • George Macdonald DL, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
  • Alasdair MacEachen DL, Benbecula
  • Angus J Macintrye DL, Bornish, Isle of South Uist
  • Margaret MacKay DL, Ness, Isle of Lewis
  • Katie Ann Mackinnon DL, Stockinish, Harris
  • Kenneth John MacLennan MBE DL, Callanish, 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 DL
Rianadair gu Morair-ionaid a’ Chrùin
Seann-togalaichean Banca na h-Alba
STEÒRNABHAGH, HS1 2BG

Fòn-oifis – (01851) 703356
Fòn-làimhe – 07788 985 111
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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 DL
Clerk to the Lieutenancy
Old Bank of Scotland Buildings
Stornoway, HS1 2BG

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

Naidheachdan News

Fifty Golden Years Serving Our Monarchy In The Western Isles is published.

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Our book, "Fifty Golden Years Serving Our Monarchy In The Western Isles" is now available in local outlets across the Western Isles and online thanks to the Islands Book Trust (islandsbooktrust.org)

Copy and paste the link below: https://islandsbooktrust.org/products/fifty-golden-years-serving-our-monarchy-in-the-western-isles

Priced at £10, this paperback book is in A4 format and contains 110 pages with over 160 photographs in full colour.

Kings Award for Voluntary Service - Leverhulme Community Hub

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We are delighted that the LEVERHULME COMMUNITY HUB has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. Leverhulme Community Hub is amongst the 231 winners from across the UK, and 25 from Scotland, who received the prestigious award this year. Read more…

Kings Award for Voluntary Service - Leverhulme Community Hub

We are delighted that the LEVERHULME COMMUNITY HUB has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. Leverhulme Community Hub is amongst the 231 winners from across the UK, and 25 from Scotland, who received the prestigious award this year.

Iain Macaulay, Lord-Lieutenant of the Western Isles said: "I am delighted to congratulate everyone connected with Leverhulme Community Hub. It is a great example of how volunteers are able to create a crucial facility for their own community and it is clear that the people of South Harris have taken the work of The Hub to its heart. By supporting it, attending events and using the facilities, they are ensuring it will continue to be a sustainable resource for future generations. The high level of volunteer engagement is to be commended, contributing in making South Harris a better place to live and for those fortunate enough to visit. It's great to see that their commitment and outstanding achievements have been recognised in this way."

The Hub, based in the former Leverhulme Memorial School building, is a multipurpose community facility providing a wide range of services. The newly renovated building hosts a charity shop (Aosd’ is Ùr), launderette, gym, venue/hot-desking space and is home to South Harris Historical Society and the Harris Tapestry. The building is currently run by a local board of volunteer directors, a staff member and over 30 volunteers from within the community. The Hub, officially opened in June 2024, was originally built by Lord Leverhulme 100 years ago as a recreational hall for his workers and is now back to serving the community of South Harris. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty The King emphasised his desire to continue the Award.

Western Isles New Year Honours List 2026

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Western Isles Lord-Lieutenant, Iain Macaulay, congratulated four worthy Western Isles recipients named in HM The King's New Year Honours 2026 List. Read more…

Western Isles New Year Honours List 2026

Western Isles Lord-Lieutenant, Iain Macaulay, congratulated four worthy Western Isles recipients named in HM The King's New Year Honours 2026 List.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Angus MacLennan, lately Head Teacher e-Sgoil. For services to Education and Gaelic in the Western Isles.

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Roland Engebretsen, Co-Founder and Director, Macaulay College, Isle of Lewis. For services to Education, to Social Inclusion, and to People with Additional Support Needs in the Western Isles.

Rebecca Lindsay, Co-Founder and Director, Macaulay College, Isle of Lewis. For services to Education, to Social Inclusion, and to People with Additional Support Needs in the Western Isles.

Ian Angus Mackenzie, Chair, Harris Tweed Hebrides. For services to the Harris Tweed Industry.

Iain Macaulay, Lord-Lieutenant said "I am delighted that, Angus MacLennan, Roland Engebretsen, Rebecca Lindsay and Ian Angus Mackenzie have been named in the 2026 New Year Honours list.

It is an exceptional achievement for the Western Isles community to have four of its residents recognised for their outstanding contributions over many years. Their accomplishments, through service to Gaelic, education, people with additional support needs, social inclusion and the Harris Tweed industry, reflect the rich talent of our islands. Each of them have provided remarkable service, in their various roles, locally and further afield.

In awarding this national honour, The King is recognising the work they have done and the legacy they have created.

All have made a positive difference and I send them my sincere congratulations. Of course, all of this would not be possible without people making the effort to submit nominations and I thank them for taking the time to do so"

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 →.