Editing Isle of Lewis (section)

== Culture and sport ==

=== Language ===
[[File:Garenin.jpg|thumb|right|[[Garenin]] [[blackhouse]] village]]
Lewis has a linguistic heritage rooted in [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic]] and [[Old Norse]], which both continue to influence life in Lewis. Today, both Scottish Gaelic and English are spoken in Lewis, but in day-to-day life, a hybrid of English and Scottish Gaelic is very common.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.linguae-celticae.org/dateien/Gaidhlig_Local_Studies_Vol_15_Steornabhagh_Ed_II.pdf|title=Linguae-Celticae.Org|access-date=22 February 2007|archive-date=4 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204162141/http://www.linguae-celticae.org/dateien/Gaidhlig_Local_Studies_Vol_15_Steornabhagh_Ed_II.pdf|url-status=usurped}}</ref> As a result of the Scottish Gaelic influence, the Lewis accent of [[Highland English]] is frequently considered to sound more Irish or Welsh than stereotypically Scottish in some quarters. The Scottish Gaelic culture in the Western Isles is more prominent than in any other part of Scotland. Scottish Gaelic is the language of choice amongst many islanders and around 60% of islanders speak Scottish Gaelic as a daily language, whilst 70% of the resident population have some knowledge of Scottish Gaelic (including reading, writing, speaking or a combination of the three). The Gaelic Language is considered to be unstable in the Western Isles,<ref>{{Cite book |author=Conchúr Ó Giollagáin |author2=Gòrdan Camshron |author3=Pàdruig Moireach |author4=Brian Ó Curnáin |author5=Iain Caimbeul |author6=Brian MacDonald |author7=Tamás Péterváry |title=The Gaelic Crisis in the Vernacular Community |publisher=Aberdeen University Press |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-85752-080-4 |location=Aberdeen |language=English}}</ref> though there are some efforts to stabilise, including Gaelic medium education and the Gaelic cultural centre and community café, An Taigh Cèilidh, in Stornoway. 

Most of the place names in Lewis and Harris come from [[Old Norse]]. The name "Lewis" is the English spelling of the Scottish Gaelic ''Leòdhas'' which comes from the Old Norse ''Ljóðhús'', as Lewis is named in [[medieval]] Norwegian maps of the island. Various suggestions have been made as to a Norse meaning such as "song house". The name is not of Gaelic origin, the Norse credentials are questionable and it may have a pre-Celtic root.<ref>Gammeltoft, Peder  "Scandinavian Naming-Systems in the Hebrides – A Way of Understanding how the Scandinavians were in Contact with Gaels and Picts?" in Ballin Smith ''et al.'' (2007) p. 487</ref><ref>Mac an Tàilleir (2003)</ref>

=== Media and the arts ===
As well as regularly playing host to the [[Royal National Mòd]], there are annual local [[mòd]]s. Stornoway Castle Green hosts the annual 3-day [[Hebridean Celtic Festival]] in July, attracting over 10,000 visitors. The festival includes events such as [[cèilidh]]s, dances and special concerts featuring storytelling, song and music with performers from all round the Isles and beyond. ''[[Sad Day We Left the Croft]]'' is a 2007 compilation album of punk bands from Lewis.

The radio station [[Isles FM]] is based in Stornoway and broadcasts on 103FM, featuring a mixture of Scottish Gaelic and English programming. The town is also home to a studio operated by [[BBC Radio nan Gàidheal]], and Studio Alba, an independent television studio from where the Scottish Gaelic [[TV channel]] [[TeleG]] was broadcast.

The ''[[Stornoway Gazette]]'' is the main local paper, covering Lewis and beyond and is published weekly.  ''The Hebridean'' is a sister paper of the Gazette and also provides local coverage.<ref>[http://www.jptalk.co.uk/termsandconditions.aspx Johnston Press – Publishers] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113001054/http://www.jptalk.co.uk/termsandconditions.aspx |date=13 November 2007 }}</ref> Some community organisations in the rural districts have their own publications with news and features for these particular areas, such as the ''Rudhach'' for the Point district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rudhach.com/|title=rudhach.com|website=www.rudhach.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.breasclete.com/Community_Newsletter.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212083008/http://www.breasclete.com/Community_Newsletter.html  |title=– Breasclete Community Newspaper|archive-date=12 December 2006}}</ref>

Lewis has been home to, or inspired, many writers, including bestselling contemporary author [[Kevin MacNeil]], whose cult novel ''The Stornoway Way'' was set in the island's capital. In April 2020, the Isle of Lewis Distillery published a list of 10 recommended books that feature the Outer Hebrides.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://harrisdistillery.com/blogs/journal/10-books-to-connect-you-to-harris |title=10 Books to connect you to Harris |date=24 April 2020 |work=Harris Distillery |access-date=18 January 2021 |quote=}}</ref>  Parts of the crime/mystery series by author GR Jordan are also set in this area, with the action in ''Water's Edge'' and ''Horror Weekend'' taking place primarily on the Isle.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48927111-water-s-edge |title=Water's Edge, Highlands & Islands Detective 1 |date=6 January 2020 |work=Goodreads |access-date=18 January 2021 |quote=}}</ref>  
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52212606-the-horror-weekend |title=The Horror Weekend, Highlands & Islands Detective 3 |date=22 April 2020 |work=Goodreads |access-date=18 January 2021 |quote=}}</ref>

=== Sport ===
[[File:lewisshinty.PNG|thumb|right|Badge of [[Lewis Camanachd]]]]There is a good provision of sporting grounds and sports centres in Lewis. Sports such as [[association football|football]], [[rugby union]] and [[golf]] are popular:

* Football, which grew in popularity after the first World War, is the most popular amateur sport in Lewis with Goathill Park in Stornoway hosting special matches involving select teams and visiting clubs and other organisations. Local teams currently participate in the [[Lewis and Harris Football League]].
* [[Shinty]] which was traditionally played in the island as in the rest of the Scottish Gaelic-speaking areas of Scotland, died out by the mid-20th century at the latest. However, it was revived in the 1990s and there is now a strong local club known as [[Lewis Camanachd]] which competes in national competition.
* The village of Tong about {{convert|2|mi|km|sigfig=1}} from Stornoway plays host to the [[Highland Games]] and the [[Western Isles Strongest man]] competition each summer.
* Attached to the [[Nicolson Institute]] School is the Ionad Spors Leòdhais (Lewis Sports Centre), an all-weather pitch and running track.
* The Lews Castle Grounds is the home of Stornoway [[Golf]] Club (the only 18-hole golf course in the Outer Hebrides).
* [[Angling]] is a very popular pastime in Lewis as there are several good lochs and rivers for fishing.
* As Lewis is an island, various water sports, such as [[surfing]] are popular activities.
* Lewis has a terrain very suited to [[hillwalking]], particularly in Uig and near the ''border'' with [[Harris, Outer Hebrides|Harris]].

=== Myths and legends ===
{{main|Hebridean Myths and Legends}}
The Isle of Lewis has a rich folklore, including ''[[Seonaidh]]'' – a water-spirit who had to be offered [[ale]] in the area of [[Teampull Mholuaidh]] in [[Ness, Lewis|Ness]] – and ''[[Blue men of the Minch|The Blue Men]]'' who inhabited the Minch, between Lewis and the [[Shiant Isles|Shiants]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/tsm/tsm08.htm|title=Wonder Tales from Scottish Myth and Legend: Chapter V. Nimble Men, Blue Men, and Green Ladies|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

=== Gastronomy ===

* Each year, men from [[Ness, Western Isles|Ness]] go out to the island of [[Sula Sgeir]] in late August for two weeks to harvest young [[gannets]] known locally as Guga, which are a local delicacy.