Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Living in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

A Real Community

The islands are, essentially, a community of communities, each with its own distinct characteristics and traditions, but each offering a warm welcome and respect for everyone.

Our commitment to education is reflected in excellent pre-school, primary and secondary facilities, including four six-year schools. Gaelic medium education is available to all children from the age of three, and most our community schools provide excellent sport, recreational and social facilities. While a range of degree and other further education options are available through Lews Castle College – part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

Our strong educational provision means that there is a high ratio of graduates in the labour force with a strong inclination to work in the islands. More and more people need to balance the demands of modern life between work, family and leisure time. This is the place to achieve that balance.

The islands boasts great surfing, salmon and brown trout fishing, hill walking, cycling, golf and bird watching and that's just for starters. Our cultural heritage, arts and Gaelic language are celebrated through festivals and events and our famous Harris Tweed continues to be hand woven by skilled local crafters.

Frequent flights to Stornoway and Benbecula from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen mean that it is often easier to travel to the Outer Hebrides than to urban areas elsewhere in Scotland. An Air Discount Scheme, open to all residents, has dramatically reduced the cost of flights to and from the mainland. Ferries operate regularly from the islands to the mainland.

Add a first class health service, a wide range of affordable housing and access to advanced broadband connectivity to the mix and you'll soon see that everything you need is here.