North Tolsta

North Tolsta (Scottish Gaelic: Tolastadh bho Thuath) is a village in the Scottish Outer Hebrides, on the east side of the Isle of Lewis. North Tolsta is within the parish of Stornoway.^[1] Tolsta is notable for its long sandy beach Traigh Mhor ^[2] At the end of Tolsta's long sandy beach there are five caves, only visitable during low tide. They are known locally as "The Caves of Life." The village of Bail' Ùr Tholastaidh (New Tolsta) is to the north. The village has a two churches and a post office and community shop ("Buth Tholastaidh").^[3]

North Tolsta Scottish Gaelic: Tolastadh bho Thuath
Traigh Mhor Tolastadh
North Tolsta Location within the Outer Hebrides
Language	Scottish Gaelic English
OS grid reference	NB536475
Civil parish	Stornoway
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 58.347°N 6.211°W / 58.347; -6.211

History

During World War I over 50% of the male population were in active service, 127 were mobilized. 50 of them died and left behind 19 widows, 54 fatherless children, and over 150 other dependants.^[4]

Formed in 2005, Tolsta Community Development Limited is a community interest company based in the village.^[5] The company operates a wind turbine at Glen Tolsta; the profits are used to benefit the Tolsta community.

The local primary school closed in Summer 2019.

Heritage Sites

At the end of Gleann Tholastaidh is one of the few possible medieval castles on the Isle of Lewis, Caisteal a’ Mhorair (the Castle of the Big Man, or Nobleman) .^[6] The site was first recorded in 1874 in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries by Peter Liddel.^[7] It was last surveyed in the early 2000s by The Severe Terrain Archaeological Campaign.^[8]

In, the now drained, loch at Osavat is a Crannog.^[9]

Wildlife

Wildlife in the area includes golden eagles, the skua, the kittiwake and the herring gull.^[10] Seals, dolphins, porpoises and occasionally whales can be seen offshore.^[10]

See also

• Lewis and Harris
• History of the Outer Hebrides

References

1. "Lewis, North Tolsta". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
2. "Tolsta Beach (Tràigh Ghearadha)". The Isle of Lewis. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
3. "Buth Tholastaidh | ……for the village, not for profit…………". www.buththolastaidh.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
4. "North Tolsta". www.scotlandswar.co.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
5. "Tolsta Community Development Ltd". www.tcdl.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
6. "Vol 36 (2009): STAC: The Severe Terrain Archaeological Campaign - investigation of stack sites of the Isle of Lewis 2003-2005 | Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports". journals.socantscot.org. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
7. "Vol 10 (1875) | Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland". journals.socantscot.org. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
8. "Vol 36 (2009): STAC: The Severe Terrain Archaeological Campaign - investigation of stack sites of the Isle of Lewis 2003-2005 | Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports". journals.socantscot.org. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
9. "Lewis, North Tolsta, Osavat | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
10. "Tolsta Head". Visit Outer Hebrides. Retrieved 20 December 2014.

External links

• North Tolsta Historical Society
• Visitor's guide for the Isle of Lewis
• Website of the Western Isles Council with links to other resources
• Disabled access to Lewis for residents and visitors
• "Lewis-with-Harris" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 16 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 525–526.