Breasclete
Breasclete
| |
|---|---|
Looking south west over Loch Roag towards the Uig Hills | |
Breasclete Location within the Outer Hebrides | |
| Language | Scottish Gaelic English |
| OS grid reference | NB217353 |
| 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 | |
| Website | breasclete.com |
Breasclete (Scottish Gaelic: Brèascleit) is a village and community on the west side of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Breasclete is within the parish of Uig,[1] and is situated adjacent to the A858.[2]
History
Breasclete has several stone circles,[3][4][5] as well as various cairns.[6][7] The Bronze Age-era Olcote kerbed cairn, south of the settlement, was excavated in 1995 during road works, by CFA Archaeology, and the site seems to form part of a wider ceremonial complex.[8][9] The cairn contained a cist burial and the archaeologists believe there was a satellite cist burial on the outside of the cairn but due to the acidity of the soil no bones survived to confirm this.[10] The local pier, situated west of the settlement, was built in the early 20th century, and has a quay of similar construction.[11]
Community
One of the main services in the village is Breasclete Primary School, which has a current total of 27 children. There is a thriving community with the new Hall as the base for a number of community groups and organisations.
Economy
The village also hosts the Equatec facility, a pharmaceutical facility dedicated to fatty acid research and production, which has now been taken over by German giant BASF in June 2012.[12]
Other businesses located in the area include Scottish Fish Farm who have a number of sites in East Loch Roag,[13] and Hebridean Soap who operate from their base in Breasclete.[14]
Traditional industries like Harris Tweed also offer employment, and crofting is at the heart of the community.
References
- ^ "Details of Breasclete". Scottish Places. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- ^ "A858". Sabre. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Lewis, Breasclete (Site no. NB23NW 8)". Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Callanish, Breasclete Park (New Park) (Site no. NB23SW 81)". Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Breasclete, Cnoc Gearraidh Nighean Choinnich (Site no. NB23SW 82)". Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Lewis, Breasclete, Cnoc Na H-Inghinn A' Ruaidha (Site no. NB23NW 11)". Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Lewis, Breasclete (Site no. NB23NW 1)". Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports (SAIR)". Archaeology Data Service. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Lewis, Callanish, Olcote, Breasclete Park (Site no. NB23SW 33)". Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Vol 13 (2005): Excavation of a Bronze Age kerbed cairn at Olcote, Breasclete, Near Calanais, Isle of Lewis | Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports". journals.socantscot.org. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Lewis, Breasclete, Pier (Site no. NB23NW 4)". Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "BASF Pharma (Callanish) Limited". www.basf.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Producing Scottish salmon with pride and passion". The Scottish Salmon Company. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
- ^ "Welcome". Hebridean Soap Company. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
External links
- Historic Environment Scotland. "Lewis, Breasclete (Site no. NB23NW 76.5)".
- Historic Environment Scotland. "Lewis, Breasclete, Lightkeepers Dwelling Houses (Site no. NB23NW 80)".