North Tolsta

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North Tolsta
Tolsta Traigh mor.jpg
Traigh Mhor Tolastadh
Outer Hebrides UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
North Tolsta
Location within the Outer Hebrides
Language Scottish Gaelic
English
OS grid reference NB536475
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
List of places
UK
Scotland
58°20′49″N6°12′40″W / 58.347°N 6.211°W / 58.347; -6.211

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]

Contents

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

References

  1. ↑ Historic Environment Scotland. "Lewis, North Tolsta (Site no. NB54NW 29.7)" . Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  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. ↑ Historic Environment Scotland. "Lewis, North Tolsta, Osavat (Site no. NB54NW 7)" . Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Tolsta Head". Visit Outer Hebrides. Retrieved 20 December 2014.


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