Portvoller

Portvoller (in Gaelic, "Port Mholair") is a small village on the north tip of the Eye Peninsula (also known as Point) on the Isle of Lewis (north west Scotland) 11 miles from the Outer Hebrides only town (Stornoway, Outer Hebrides).

About the village

The Village also has a local Butcher and Nursery (horticulture). The most prominent feature of the village is the Tiumpan Head Lighthouse which is located at the northerly most tip of the village. The village also has 2 churches, one practicing the Free Church faith and the other church of scotland (although this has now been been decommissioned).

The village is also host to some of the Western Isles best fishing waters, especially rock fishing or beach casting. The headlands that are most popular for these pursuits are known locally as Billy Mor, and Foitelair. These 2 fishing hotspots are found about 5 minutes walk from the now ruined Portvoller slipway, and can be a treacherous clamber after a squall or downpour. The Portvoller slipway is also near to small and secluded Shinega beach.

There has been a recent influx of wealthy mainland Scots and English incomers to the village, attracted by stunning scenery, relatively low property prices, and very low crime rates. Sometimes those who were brought up in the Island as children return to retire after they have made their fortune elsewhere.

Etymology

The village name probably originates from the Old Norse word Voller, which describes a hill that slants upwards gradually (voller is plural for vollen, still used in some dialects of Norwegian. Indeed, this is a quite appropriate description of the village of Portvoller.In the historical period from the 9th-12th century Viking Raids on the Island would have been common-place. Indeed, when Norway occupied the Isle of Lewis before the Treaty of Perth and Battle of Largs, Portvoller would have been one of the 1st landing places when arriving from Norway.

Surrounding Villages

The Village itself has several others surrounding it, including Portnaguran, Aird, Outer Hebrides, Broker, Outer Hebrides and Flesherin, all of which are served by the one post office, off-licence, and shop. All the aforenamed villages are served by Western Isles Council in terms of public transport, services etc.

Trivia

*Donald Trump's mother (Mary MacLeod Trump) was brought up on the Isle of Lewis, and several of her cousins and relatived still live on the island, Including the village of Portvoller.
*Scottish Gaelic language is not the most widely spoken Language in the Village (or indeed Point or Stornoway), with the English language being increasingly more common as people migrate from southern Scotland, and England.

External links

* [http://www.islandsofinspiration.com/portvoller_bay.htm Photo of Portvoller Bay]