Aignish

Aignish (from Gaelic Aiginis ) is a scattered settlement on the Scottish island of Lewis. It lies at the western end of the Eye peninsula near the isthmus that connects the eye with Lewis. Stornoway, the capital of the island, about five kilometers to the west.

Traffic

Aignish is located just off the A866, which runs from Stornoway to at the northeast end of Eye. Stornoway Airport is located three kilometers west of Aignish.

History

Already the Holy Cathan, a contemporary of Saint Columba, built in the sixth or seventh century a chapel in this place. Later, the St Columba 's Church was built, which is classified as a monument category A. Furthermore, it is protected as a Scheduled Monument. It is believed that it dates from the 14th century and was extended in the 15th or early 16th century. In 1829, the last service was held in the church. Coastal erosion threatened the now preserved only as a ruin building, so the coast was stabilized in this section. In the year 1971 103 inhabitants were counted in Aignish.