Editing Outer Hebrides (section)

==Culture ==
{{main|Religion in the Outer Hebrides}}

[[Christianity]] has deep roots in the Western Isles, but owing mainly to the different allegiances of the clans in the past, the people in the northern islands (Lewis, Harris, North Uist) have historically been predominantly [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]], and those of the southern islands (Benbecula, South Uist, Barra) predominantly [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]].<ref>Clegg, E.J. [https://books.google.com/books?id=U6WhkmvI324C&pg=PA86 "Fertility and Development in the Outer Hebrides; The Confounding Effcets <!-- sic --> of Religion"] in Malhotra (1992) p. 88</ref>

At the time of the 2001 Census, 42% of the population identified themselves as being affiliated with the [[Church of Scotland]], with 13% Roman Catholic and 28% with other Christian churches. Many of this last group belong to the [[Free Church of Scotland (post 1900)|Free Church of Scotland]], known for its strict observance of the [[Sabbath in Christianity|Sabbath]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-12224469 "Sunday ferry for Harris opposed by Lord's Day society"] (19 January 2011) BBC News. Retrieved 7 March 2011.</ref> 11% stated that they had no religion.{{#tag:ref| The 2001 census statistics used are based on local authority areas but do not specifically identify Free Church or Episcopal adherents. 4% of the respondents did not answer this census question and the total for all other religions combined is 1 per cent.<ref>Pacione, Michael (2005) "The Geography of Religious Affiliation in Scotland". ''The Professional Geographer'' '''57(2)'''. Oxford. Blackwell.</ref>|group="Note"}} This made the Western Isles the Scottish council area with the smallest percentage of non-religious in the population. There are also small [[Scottish Episcopal Church|Episcopalian]] congregations in Lewis and Harris, and the Outer Hebrides are part of the [[Diocese of Argyll and The Isles (Episcopal)|Diocese of Argyll and The Isles]] in both the Episcopalian and Catholic traditions.<ref>[http://www.argyllandtheisles.org.uk/ "Diocese of Argyll and The Isles"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325205614/http://www.argyllandtheisles.org.uk/ |date=25 March 2010 }} argyllandtheisles.org.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.dioceseofargyllandtheisles.org/ "RC Diocese of Argyll and the Isles"] dioceseofargyllandtheisles.org Retrieved 16 June 2010.</ref>

[[Gaelic music]] is popular in the islands and the Lewis and Harris Traditional Music Society plays an active role in promoting the genre.<ref name= RC39>Rotary Club (1995) p. 39</ref> [[Fèis Bharraigh]] began in 1981 with the aim of developing the practice and study of the Gaelic language, literature, music, drama and culture on the islands of Barra and Vatersay. This two-week festival has inspired 43 other ''feisean'' throughout Scotland.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110710233709/http://www.feisbharraigh.com/history.html "History"] Feis Bharraigh. Retrieved 4 July 2010.</ref> The Lewis [[Great Highland Bagpipe|Pipe Band]] was founded in 1904 and the Lewis and Harris Piping Society in 1977.<ref name= RC39/>

Outdoor activities including [[Rugby football|rugby]], football, [[golf]], [[shinty]], fishing, riding, canoeing, athletics, and multi-sports are popular in the Western Isles. The Hebridean Challenge is an adventure race, run in five daily stages, which takes place along the length of the islands and includes hill and road running, road and [[mountain biking]], short sea swims and demanding sea kayaking sections. There are four main sports centres: ''Ionad Spors Leodhais'' in Stornoway, which has a 25 m swimming pool; Harris Sports Centre; [[Lionacleit]] Sports Centre on Benbecula; and [[Castlebay]] Sports Centre on Barra. The Western Isles is a member of the [[International Island Games Association]].<ref>[http://www.islandgames.net/cms/member_profile_12408.html "Member Profile: Western Isles"] IIGA. Retrieved 4 July 2010.</ref><!-- The IGA source thinks Lionacleit Sports Centre is on North Uist, but other sources place it at Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula--><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/school/lionacleit/about_us.htm |title=Sgoil Lionacleit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230834/http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/school/lionacleit/about_us.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead |website=Comhairle nan Eilean Siar |access-date=4 July 2010}}</ref>

[[South Uist]] is home to the [[Askernish Golf Course]]. The oldest links in the Outer Hebrides, it was designed by [[Old Tom Morris]]. Although it was in use until the 1930s, its existence was largely forgotten until 2005 and it is now being restored to Morris's original design.<ref>[http://www.storasuibhist.com/askernish/ "Askernish Golf Course"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716150459/http://www.storasuibhist.com/askernish/ |date=16 July 2011 }} Storas Uibhist. Retrieved 4 July 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=New Yorker |date=20 April 2009 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/04/20/090420fa_fact_owen |author=David Owen |title=The Ghost Course|access-date=4 July 2010}}</ref>