Portvoller
Portvoller
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|---|---|
 Loch an t-Siumpain is in the centre of the picture, with the houses of Portvoller beyond | |
  Portvoller Location within theOuter Hebrides | |
| Language | Scottish Gaelic English |
| OS grid reference | NB561366 |
| Civil parish | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| 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 | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Portvoller(Scottish Gaelic:Port Mholair) is a small village on the north tip of theEye Peninsula(which along withMelbostandParkendmakes up Point), on theIsle of Lewisin northwesternScotland.It is 9 miles (14 kilometres) on theA866from theOuter Hebrides' only town,Stornoway.[1]Portvoller is within the parish of Stornoway.[2]
About the village
[edit]Portvoller's most prominent feature is theTiumpan Head Lighthouse,which is located at the northernmost tip of the village.[3]
Portvoller is also near some of the Western Isles' bestfishingwaters, especiallyrock fishingorbeach casting.The headlands that are most popular for these pursuits are known locally as Billy Mor (Bilidh Mhor)[4]and Foitelair (Foitealar).[4]These two fishing hotspots are found about five minutes' walk from the ruined Portvollerslipway—a walk that can be a treacherous clamber after asquallordownpour.The Portvoller slipway is also near to small and secluded Shinega (Sinigeadh)[5]beach.
Etymology
[edit]The village name probably originates from theOld Norsewordvoller(the plural ofvollen,still used in some dialects ofNorwegian,which denotes ahillthat slants upwards gradually). Indeed, this is a quite appropriate description of the village of Portvoller.
In the period from the ninth to the twelfth century,Vikingraids on the island would have been commonplace. When Norway occupied Lewis before theTreaty of Perthand theBattle of Largs,Portvoller would have been a principal landing place for arrivals fromNorway.
Surrounding villages
[edit]The village has several others surrounding it, includingPortnaguran,Aird,BrokerandFlesherin,all of which are served by the one post office, off-licence and shop. All the aforenamed villages are served by theWestern Isles Councilin terms of public transport and other services.
References
[edit]- ^"A866".Sabre.Retrieved19 December2014.
- ^"Lewis, Portvoller".Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.Retrieved19 December2014.
- ^"Lewis, Tiumpan head Lighthouse".ScotlandsPlaces.Retrieved19 December2014.
- ^ab"Canmore".Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.Retrieved19 December2014.
- ^"More Background Information".Point Online. Archived fromthe originalon 19 December 2014.Retrieved19 December2014.
External links
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