Howmore

Infobox UK place
official_name= Howmore
gaelic_name= Tobha Mòr
latitude= 57.30
longitude= -7.38
country= Scotland
os_grid_reference=
post_town= ISLE OF SOUTH UIST
postcode_area= HS
postcode_district= HS8
dial_code= 01878
constituency_westminster= Na h-Eileanan an Iar
unitary_scotland= Na h-Eileanan Siar
lieutenancy_scotland= Western Isles
constituency_scottish_parliament= Western Isles

Howmore ("Tobha Mòr") lies on the island of South Uist to the southwest of Loch Druidibeg. The mountain of Haarsal rises to 139 m to the east and immediately south is the smaller settlement of Howbeg.

The area is largely flat but is dominated by the mountain Beinn Mhor. A rewarding day's hillwalking can be had on Beinn Mhor and Hecla (606m) - South Uist's highest hills. Loch Druidibeg Nature Reserve, 3 km to the north, is an important site for breeding Greylag geese and a sanctuary for the corncrake, now, within Britain, almost unique to the Western Isles. The ruins of Flora MacDonald's birthplace can be found near Milton, 11 km south of Howmore, marked with a commemorative cairn.

On the southern slopes of Beinn Mhor is the wooded area of Allt Volagir, one of the few areas of natural woodland left in the Hebrides - the islands were all wooded once until the arrival of the Vikings who are traditionally blamed for clearing the trees (though this fact is disputed).

The village is perhaps best known for its remarkable collection of ruined churches and chapels. The most striking remains are of the Teampull Mor, the "Large Church" or St Mary's, of which only part of the east gable remains. This church probably dates back to the 1200s and it was used as the parish church. At the time of the Reformation, Howmore turned to Protestantism, though 95% of the population of South Uist remained Roman Catholic. Howmore Church, built in 1858, is therefore rather unusual; doubly so as it is one of the few churches in Scotland with a central Communion table. The church is white-harled and used as a landmark by fishermen off the west coast.

Howmore is also home to one of Scotland's best collections of thatched buildings. The youth hostel is operated by [http://www.gatliff.org.uk Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust] . It is located in a white-painted thatched building of remarkable charm: and with stunning views to the east across ruined churches towards the peak of Hecla.