Brenish: Difference between revisions

Brenish
Scottish Gaelic: *Brèinis*
Brenish Scottish Gaelic: Brèinis;
	Brenish coastline
	Brenish Location within the Outer Hebrides
Population	25
Language	Scottish Gaelic; English
OS grid reference	NA991261
Civil parish	Uig;
Council area	Na h-Eileanan Siar;
Lieutenancy area	Western Isles;
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ISLE OF LEWIS
Postcode district	HS2
Dialling code	01851
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Na h-Eileanan an Iar;
Scottish Parliament	Na h-Eileanan an Iar;
	List of places UK Scotland 58°07′19″N 7°06′36″W / 58.122°N 7.110°W

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Brenish (Scottish Gaelic: Brèinis) is a small village situated on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, which is part of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Brenish is within the parish of Uig.^[1] The name of the village is sometimes spelt Breanish^[2] (which is generally the spelling used locally), however maps normally refer to Brenish.

Geography

Brenish is commonly regarded as one of the more scenic areas on the island, although its remote location at the end of the winding and decaying C39 makes it one of the less visited. The village itself runs parallel to the Atlantic coastline and is overlooked by Mealisval, the tallest mountain on the island. It is located next to the village of Mealista which is an uninhabited village known best for its selection of virginal sandy beaches. Mealista is where the road ends, making Brenish the last populated village on the C39.

Brenish can be reached by taking the A859 from Stornoway or Tarbert, Harris, then turning on to the A858 towards Garynahine. This route then travels along the B8011, which then becomes the C39 at Timsgarry.^[3] The journey takes between 60 and 90 minutes from Stornoway and 90 to 120 minutes from Tarbert (depending on driving experience on the Lewis roads).

Geology

One of the more interesting features of Brenish is the Blowhole. This is a deep hole in the ground which is roughly 20 metres inland. It has a sea cave which funnels sea water into the hole, sometimes with such ferocity that the sea water blows out the top of the hole. The hole is situated to the north of the village and although it is large it can easily be missed because it is situated in a dip in the ground. There is no fencing around the hole making it a hazard to the unsuspecting walker.

Flora and fauna

The terrain is mainly heather covered moorland which is peppered with lochs of varying size, which are kept full by the plentiful supply of rain. This land contains high quantities of peat, which is still used by many in the village as a fuel source for heating and cooking. The land between Brenish and Islivig is peat cutting land which has supplied the village with fuel for decades. Due to the wild, damp, salty climate only hardy vegetation is able to survive.

There are still a large number of sheep roaming freely and there is an increasing number of deer which can be seen coming into villagers gardens in the evening. Other natives include rabbit, hare, rat, and feral cat. There have also been sightings of frogs in recent years which is a new addition to the area. There are regular sightings of seal fishing for salmon and sea trout in the Brenish bay.

Lewis provides a good stop off point for migrating birds which can be seen along with the hardy native seabirds. Golden eagles have also been known to make an occasional visit to the village.

Climate

The oceanic climate means that Brenish experiences high volumes of rain, with temperatures struggling to reach double figures for a large part of the year. However, Brenish is far enough north to benefit from long summer days where there is daylight for over 20 hours. It is also a good place to view the Aurora Borealis (otherwise known as the Northern Lights).

Demography

Brenish was once a highly populated village but has suffered a drastic decline in its numbers during the 1900s, brought about by a combination of the younger generation opting to move to the mainland and the demise of the ageing residents. There is very little employment in the local area and the traditional occupation of crofting has itself been in rapid decline since the 1980s. However, since the late 1990s the village has experienced a relative population boom. Over 50% of the population have migrated to Brenish from the UK mainland which has brought with it a feeling of revival.

Community

Architecture

The architecture in the area is fairly typical for the island. Generally the houses are built beside the road, at the top of a croft which itself leads down to the sea. There have been several new houses built since the late 1990s which are changing the face of the village.

Religion

Brenish, like all parts of the Hebrides, has a strong religious (Presbyterian) population. To this end there is normally very little activity in the village on Sunday. Until relatively recent years even the act of watching television on Sunday would have been frowned upon.

References

^ "Details of Brenish". Scottish Places. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
^ "Community Today". Uig and Bernera Development Group. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
^ "C-Roads on Signs". CBRD. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.

External links

[1] "Details of Brenish". Scottish Places. Retrieved 26 December 2014.

[2] "Community Today". Uig and Bernera Development Group. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2014.

[3] "C-Roads on Signs". CBRD. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
-{{infobox UK place|
+{{Infobox UK place
-|country = Scotland
-|static_image             =
+| country                          = Scotland
+| coordinates                      = {{coord|58.122|-7.110|display=inline,title}}
-|static_image_caption=
+| official_name                    = Brenish
-|latitude= 58.12
+| gaelic_name                      = Brèinis
-|longitude=-07.11
+| label_position                   = left
-|official_name      =Brenish
+| language                         = [[Scottish Gaelic]]
-|population = 25
+| language1                        = [[English language|English]]
-|shire_district=
+| static_image_name                = Brenish 1.jpg
-|shire_county= [[Western Isles]]
+| static_image_caption             = Brenish coastline
-|metropolitan_borough=
+| population                       = 25
-| metropolitan_county =
+| civil_parish                     = [[Uig, Lewis|Uig]]
-|region=
-|constituency_westminster=
+| constituency_westminster         = [[Na h-Eileanan an Iar (UK Parliament constituency)|Na h-Eileanan an Iar]]
+| unitary_scotland                 = [[Outer Hebrides|Na h-Eileanan Siar]]
-|post_town= Stornoway
+| lieutenancy_scotland             = [[Outer Hebrides|Western Isles]]
-|postcode_district = Highlands
+| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Na h-Eileanan an Iar]]
-|postcode_area=
+| post_town                        = ISLE OF LEWIS
-|dial_code=+44 (0)1851 672
+| postcode_district                = HS2
-|os_grid_reference=  NA9926
+| postcode_area                    = HS
+| dial_code                        = 01851
+| os_grid_reference                = NA991261
 }}
-'''Brenish''' ([[Scottish Gaelic]]: Bréanais)  is a small village situated on the west coast of the [[Isle of Lewis]], which is part of [[the Outer Hebrides]] of [[Scotland]]. It is in the district of [[Uig, Lewis]].
+'''Brenish''' ({{lang-gd|Brèinis}})  is a small village situated on the west coast of the [[Isle of Lewis]], which is part of [[the Outer Hebrides]] of [[Scotland]]. Brenish is within the parish of [[Uig, Lewis|Uig]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/towndetails4911.html|title=Details of Brenish|publisher=Scottish Places|access-date=26 December 2014}}</ref> The name of the village is sometimes spelt Breanish<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uigandbernera.com/community/community_groups/|title=Community Today|publisher=Uig and Bernera Development Group|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002054958/http://www.uigandbernera.com/community/community_groups/|archive-date=2 October 2011}}</ref> (which is generally the spelling used locally), however maps normally refer to Brenish.
-It is commonly regarded as one of the more scenic areas on the island, although its remote location at the end of the winding and decaying C39 makes it one of the less visited. The village itself runs parallel to the Atlantic coast and is overlooked by Mealisval, the tallest mountain on the island. It is located next to the village of Mealista which is an uninhabited village known best for its selection of virginal sandy beaches. Mealista is where the road ends, making Brenish the last populated village on the C39.
-==Directions==
+==Geography==
+Brenish is commonly regarded as one of the more scenic areas on the island, although its remote location at the end of the winding and decaying C39 makes it one of the less visited. The village itself runs parallel to the Atlantic coastline and is overlooked by Mealisval, the tallest mountain on the island. It is located next to the village of [[Mealista]] which is an uninhabited village known best for its selection of virginal sandy beaches. [[Mealista]] is where the road ends, making Brenish the last populated village on the C39.
-Brenish can be reached by taking the A859 from [[Stornoway]] or [[Tarbert, Western Isles]], then turning on to the A858 towards [[Garynahine]] ([[Scottish Gaelic]]: Gearraidh na h-aibhne), then the B8011, which then becomes the C39. The journey takes between 60 and 90 minutes from [[Stornoway]] and 90 to 120 minutes from Tarbert (depending on driving experience on the Lewis roads).
+Brenish can be reached by taking the [[A859 road (Great Britain)|A859]] from [[Stornoway]] or [[Tarbert, Harris]], then turning on to the [[A858 road (Great Britain)|A858]] towards [[Garynahine]]. This route then travels along the B8011, which then becomes the C39 at [[Timsgarry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbrd.co.uk/c-roads/signs.shtml|title=C-Roads on Signs|publisher=CBRD|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229060609/http://www.cbrd.co.uk/c-roads/signs.shtml#|archive-date=2014-12-29|url-status=dead}}</ref> The journey takes between 60 and 90 minutes from [[Stornoway]] and 90 to 120 minutes from Tarbert (depending on driving experience on the Lewis roads). [[Image:Brenish 2.jpg|thumb|right|Mealista beach]]
-==Architecture==
-The architecture in the area is fairly typical for the island. Most houses would have originally been a [[Black House]] and will have been heavily modernised and extended throughout the years. Generally the houses are built beside the road, at the top of a [[Croft (land)]] which itself leads down to the sea. However there have been several new houses built since the late 1990s which are changing the face of the village.
-==Population==
+===Geology===
+[[Image:Brenish 4.jpg|thumb|right|The "Blowhole"]]
-Brenish was once a highly populated village but has suffered a drastic decline in its numbers during the 1900s, brought about by a combination of the younger generation opting to move to the mainland and the demise of the ageing residents. There is very little employment in the local area and the traditional occupation of [[crofting]] has itself been in rapid decline since the 1980s. However, since the late 1990s the village has experienced a relative population boom. Over 50% of the population have migrated to Brenish from the UK mainland which has brought with it a feeling of revival.
+One of the more interesting features of Brenish is the [[Blowhole (geology)|Blowhole]]. This is a deep hole in the ground which is roughly 20 metres inland. It has a sea cave which funnels sea water into the hole, sometimes with such ferocity that the sea water blows out the top of the hole. The hole is situated to the north of the village and although it is large it can easily be missed because it is situated in a dip in the ground. There is no fencing around the hole making it a hazard to the unsuspecting walker.
+===Flora and fauna===
-==Religion==
+The terrain is mainly heather covered moorland which is peppered with lochs of varying size, which are kept full by the plentiful supply of rain. This land contains high quantities of [[peat]], which is still used by many in the village as a fuel source for heating and cooking. The land between Brenish and [[Islivig]] is peat cutting land which has supplied the village with fuel for decades. Due to the wild, damp, salty climate only hardy vegetation is able to survive.
-Brenish, like all parts of the Hebridies, has a strong religious ([[Presbyterian]]) following. To this end there is normally very little activity in the village on Sunday and until relatively recent years even the act of watching television on Sunday was frowned upon.
+There are still a large number of [[sheep]] roaming freely and there is an increasing number of [[deer]] which can be seen coming into villagers gardens in the evening. Other natives include rabbit, hare, rat, and feral cat. There have also been sightings of frogs in recent years which is a new addition to the area. There are regular sightings of seal fishing for salmon and sea trout in the Brenish bay.
+Lewis provides a good stop off point for migrating birds which can be seen along with the hardy native seabirds. [[Golden eagle]]s have also been known to make an occasional visit to the village.
+===Climate===
+The oceanic climate means that Brenish experiences high volumes of rain, with temperatures struggling to reach double figures for a large part of the year. However, Brenish is far enough north to benefit from long summer days where there is daylight for over 20 hours. It is also a good place to view the [[Aurora Borealis]] (otherwise known as the Northern Lights).
+==Demography==
+Brenish was once a highly populated village but has suffered a drastic decline in its numbers during the 1900s, brought about by a combination of the younger generation opting to move to the mainland and the demise of the ageing residents. There is very little employment in the local area and the traditional occupation of [[crofting]] has itself been in rapid decline since the 1980s. However, since the late 1990s the village has experienced a relative population boom. Over 50% of the population have migrated to Brenish from the UK mainland which has brought with it a feeling of revival. [[Image:Brenish 3.jpg|thumb|right|Mealista beach]]
+==Community==
+===Architecture===
+The architecture in the area is fairly typical for the island. Generally the houses are built beside the road, at the top of a [[croft (land)|croft]] which itself leads down to the sea. There have been several new houses built since the late 1990s which are changing the face of the village.
+===Religion===
+Brenish, like all parts of the Hebrides, has a strong religious ([[Presbyterian]]) population. To this end there is normally very little activity in the village on Sunday. Until relatively recent years even the act of watching television on Sunday would have been frowned upon.
 ==References==
+{{reflist}}
-[[Category:Villages in the Outer Hebrides]]
-{{WesternIsles-geo-stub}}
+==External links==
+{{Commons category|Brenish}}
+*[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/3980/details/lewis+brenish/ Canmore - Lewis, Brenish site record]
+*[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/274144/details/lewis+breanais+school/ Canmore - Lewis, Breanis, School site record]
+*[http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/213905/details/lewis+brenish/ Canmore - Lewis, Brenish, Military Camp site record]
+{{Lewis and Harris}}
+[[Category:Villages in the Isle of Lewis]]

v t e Lewis and Harris
Outer Hebrides Scotland
Inhabited islands	Lewis and Harris Great Bernera Scalpay
Other islands	Bayble Island Eilean Chaluim Chille Eilean Chearstaidh Eilean Liubhaird Eilean Mhealasta Ensay Fuaigh Beag Fuaigh Mòr Gasker Hermetray Killegray North Rona Pabbay of Harris Pabaigh Mòr Scarp Seaforth Sgeotasaigh Soay Beag Soay Mòr Stockinish Sula Sgeir Taransay Vacsay
Settlements	Stornoway Adabroc Aignish Aird Ardroil Arnol Baile an Truiseil Balallan Barvas Bayble Borghastan Borsham Borve, Harris Borve, Lewis Bragar Branahuie Breaclete Breasclete Breivig Brenish Brue Cabharstadh Calbost Callanish Carloway Coll Cross Eorodale Eoropie Fivepenny Flesherin Garenin Garrabost Gravir Gress Habost Holm Hushinish Knock Laxdale Leurbost Leverburgh Lionel Lingarabay Marybank Melbost New Tolsta Newmarket Newvalley North Dell Orinsay Parkend Portnaguran Portvoller Rèinigeadal Rodel Shawbost Skigersta Shulishader South Dell South Galson Swainbost Tarbert Tolsta Chaolais Timsgarry Tong
Districts	Back Ness North Lochs Park Point Uig West Side
Geographical features	Butt of Lewis Clisham The Minch Eilean Glas
Historical sites	Callanish Stones Clach an Trushal and Steinacleit Dun Carloway Dùn Èistean Lews Castle St Clement's Church Teampall Mholuaidh