Benbecula in the Hebrides

Benbecula in the Hebrides
Beinn na Faoghla

Smallest of the main islands of the Hebrides, Benbecula's importance far outweighs its meagre size. It has long been the stepping stone between North and South Uist - fordable causeways until this century until road bridges were built. North Uist is Protestant, South Uist is Catholic. Benbecula is a harmonious mix of the two religions.

After the Second World War, the military moved into the island and this has brought a mixed blessing. It has boosted the economy - Benbecula has the best facilities in the Western Isles outside Stornoway. Many jobs have been created as a result and the airport alone is of great benefit. In the other hand, the local culture has been diluted - Benbecula has the lowest proportion of native Gaelic speakers in the Outer Hebrides. The majority of the population here at any one time will be army personnel who are by their nature transient.

The landscape is largely flat apart from Rueval, Benbecula's only mountain.

Of all of the islands and communities of the islands, Benbecula is the one which has changed the most. Before the Second World War it was a rather isolated community - causeways only passable at low tide connected north and south to the Uists and people passed through it on the way to somewhere else. It was the home of Angus MacMillan, a treasurehouse of folklore.

With the advent of the Cold War, Benbecula was thought an ideal point to watch the north west passage from Atlantic to North Sea. And so the Army came. New roads sprang up including new bridges north and south. An airport was created. Family quarters were built. Stores were constructed.

Today Balivanich, the main town, is an urban hub for the whole of the Uists. There are supermarkets, a medical facility, banks, taxi services. And most importantly the airport which has daily services to Glasgow, Lewis and Barra. The original locals are on the whole pleased about the military within their midst - the facilities, communications and jobs are all of great benefit.

Viewed from outside Benbecula but still within the Western Isles, there is another view. They see a traditional culture disappearing rapidly, a language which is dying, a modern consumer society arriving.

As usual they are arguments of many sides. And the situation is not as bleak for the traditional way of life as has been painted. The arrival of the Gaelic medium Lionacleit School will ensure the future of the language locally into the next century and rumours of Benbecula's cultural death have anyway been greatly exaggerated.