Editing Outer Hebrides (section)

== Economy ==
[[File:Stornoway Harbour.jpg|thumb|[[Stornoway]] Harbour]]

Modern commercial activities centre on tourism, [[crofting]], fishing, and weaving including the manufacture of [[Harris tweed]]. Crofting remains popular especially on [[Lewis and Harris]] (population 21,000) with over 920 active crofters according to a 2020 report: "with crofts ranging in size from as small as a single hectare to having access to thousands of hectares through the medium of community grazing". Crofters can apply for subsidy grants; some of these are intended to help them find other avenues to supplement their incomes.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/18353763.new-age-crofting-outer-hebrides/| title = A new age of crofting in the Outer Hebrides| date = 4 April 2020}}</ref> Some of the funding schemes available to crofters in the Hebrides include the "Basic Payment Scheme, the suckler beef support scheme, the upland sheep support scheme and the Less Favoured Area support scheme and the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS), as of March 2020.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.fwi.co.uk/business/business-management/how-small-scale-crofters-in-scotland-survive-the-challenges| title = How small-scale crofters in the Hebrides survive the challenges| date = 27 March 2020}}</ref>

According to the Scottish Government, "tourism is by far and away the mainstay industry" of the Outer Hebrides, "generating £65m in economic value for the islands, sustaining around 1000 jobs" The report adds that the "islands receive 219,000 visitors per year".<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.scotland.org/live-in-scotland/where-to-live-in-scotland/the-outer-hebrides| title = The Outer Hebrides}}</ref>

Some of the larger islands have [[development trust]]s that support the local economy and, in striking contrast to the 19th and 20th century domination by absentee landlords, more than two thirds of the Western Isles population now lives on community-owned estates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dtascot.org.uk/content/directory-of-members |title=Directory of Members |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719214140/http://www.dtascot.org.uk/content/directory-of-members |archive-date=19 July 2010 |website=DTA Scotland |access-date=15 July 2007}}</ref><ref>"The quiet revolution". (19 January 2007) ''[[West Highland Free Press]]''. [[Broadford, Skye|Broadford]], Skye.</ref> However the economic position of the islands remains relatively precarious. The Western Isles, including Stornoway, are defined by [[Highlands and Islands Enterprise]] as an economically "Fragile Area" and they have an estimated trade deficit of some £163.4&nbsp;million. Overall, the area is relatively reliant on primary industries and the public sector, and fishing and fish farming in particular are vulnerable to environmental impacts, changing market pressures, and European legislation.<ref name=FF>[http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/economy/index.asp "Factfile - Economy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323071423/http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/economy/index.asp |date=23 March 2010 }} Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Retrieved 4 July 2010.</ref>

There is some optimism about the possibility of future developments in, for example, renewable energy generation, tourism, and education, and after declines in the 20th century the population has stabilised since 2003, although it is ageing.<ref name=FF/><ref>[http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/population/index.asp?snlid=3165 "Factfile - Population"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629195216/http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/population/index.asp?snlid=3165 |date=29 June 2011 }} Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Retrieved 4 July 2010.</ref> A 2019 report, using key assumptions, (mortality, fertility and migration) was less optimistic. It predicted that the population is "projected to fall to 22,709 by 2043"; that translates to a 16% decline, or 4,021 people, between 2018 and 2043.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/strategy-performance-and-research/outer-hebrides-factfile/population/population-projections/#:~:text=The%20local%20authority%20with%20the,a%20drop%20of%20%2D6.1%25.&text=The%20population%20of%20working%20age,will%20see%20a%206.1%20%25%20decline.| title = Population Projections, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar}}</ref>

The UK’s largest community-owned wind farm, the 9MW Beinn Ghrideag, a "3 turbine, 9MW scheme" is located outside Stornoway and is operated by Point and Sandwick Trust (PST).<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-and-sandwick-trust/about/| title = Point and Sandwick Trust, We built & run the UK's biggest community-owned wind farm using funds to provide local support to our island community}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2021/02/17/renewables-recognition-for-point-and-sandwick-trust/| title = Renewables recognition for Point and Sandwick Trust| date = 17 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.welovestornoway.com/index.php/articles-auto-3/19477-award-hope-for-turbine-team| title = Award hope for turbine team}}</ref>

The Isle of Lewis web site states that Stornoway's sheltered harbour has been important for centuries; it was named Steering Bay by [[Vikings]] who often visited.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.isle-of-lewis.com/areas/stornoway/#gallery-0/0/| title = Stornoway| date = 19 January 2012}}</ref> A December 2020 report stated that a new deep water terminal was to be developed, the Stornoway Deep Water Terminal, using a £49 million investment. The plan included berths for cruise ships as long as 360 meters, berths for large cargo vessels, and a freight ferry berth.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.gov.scot/news/investing-in-islands-infrastructure/| title = Investing in islands infrastructure}}</ref>