We do not inherit the land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children

Anyone familiar with weather forecasts will have heard of Tiree, but only a few will know where it is, or what goes on. Of the six islands which comprise the Inner Hebrides, Tiree is the furthest west and arguably, the most beautiful .The sunniest place in the UK, Tiree is also one of the windiest. Twelve miles long, it varies in width from one to six miles.

The island is in generally flat, much of the land is below 20 m in elevation, it does contains six hills of which the highest, Ben Hynish is only 460ft. Tiree’s name comes, possibly , from the gaelic Tir-reidh, the ‘flat –land’. Tiree is also very fertile, and over the centuries was also known as Tir-iodh, the ‘land of corn’ and supplied cereal to the monks of Iona.

The fertile machair grassland provides rich grazing for cattle and sheep, on which the island’s thriving crofting, farming community is based. The machair, abundant in summer with flowers and herbs, helps support over a 150 species of birds, including the largest UK population of the rare Corncrake.

Ornithologists from all over the world visit Tiree for it’s outstanding birdlife & the RSPB have a resident warden. The central machair, ‘The Reef’ is the largest of it’s type in the world.

Stunning pristine white-shell sand beaches surrounding the island, lure windsurfers and holidaymakers. Many ancient historical sites exist: standing stones, forts, duns, brochs, and chapels abound. The Saints of; Patrick, Brendan and Columba all visited Tiree. Skerryvore lighthouse, set some 12 miles offshore is an ‘A’ listed iconic landmark and too many the finest of Stevenson’s many incredible structures

In every direction, walkers can witness the finest seascapes in Scotland, as well as enjoy the tranquility, the bracing air, and the rich flora and fauna. Together these are some of the features which underpin Tiree’s ever-growing sustainable tourism.The clear light oceanic Atlantic light draws artists from all over the world a few of which have now become residents.

Supported by Highland and Island Enterprise, the ‘Growth at the Edge’ initiative encourages sustainable island development. Some eight boats comprise Tiree’s lobster, crab and scallop fishing fleet, growing each year in importance (with a 2010 catch value estimated at £1.5 million) fish off and close inshore Tiree. Their primary fishing ground being the Skerryvore reefs.

Regular sea and air connections from Oban and Glasgow, school, broadband, medical facilities , shops, restaurants, bank, hotels and guest houses, all support Tiree’s modern Gaelic based culture. Our community is vibrant and prospering and consists of some 750 permanent residents. Our school and our children take proud pride of place, and given our ‘zero’ crime Tiree can be classed in many ways as an escape from a world gone mad. Our second home owners and non resident house holders directly and indirectly contribute to our support industries such as building and maintenance.

The Islands own ‘single’ wind turbine…’Tilley’ has become a glowing beacon of community inspiration in renewable energy projects. But the proposed Tiree ( Argyll) Array will have disproportionate impacts on, and for, Tiree such that it has to be resisted.

To all who visit our island home we can promise a warm welcome from the people who live ‘on the edge of the world’

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