North Tolsta
North Tolsta (Scottish Gaelic: Tolastadh bho Thuath) is a village in the Scottish Outer Hebrides, on the east side of the Isle of Lewis. North Tolsta is within the parish of Stornoway.[1] Tolsta is notable for its long sandy beach,[2] which is popular with surfers. The village of Bail' Ùr Tholastaidh (New Tolsta) is to the north and Gleann Tholastaidh (Glen Tolsta) to the south. At the end of Tolsta's long sandy beach there are 5 caves only visitable during low tide, these Caves are locally known as "The Caves of Life."
North Tolsta
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Traigh Mhor Tolastadh | |
North Tolsta Location within the Outer Hebrides | |
Language | Scottish Gaelic English |
OS grid reference | NB536475 |
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 | |
The village has a two Churches and a Post office and community shop "Buth Tholastaidh".[3]
The local primary school closed in Summer 2019.
Formed in 2005, Tolsta Community Development Limited is a community interest company based in the village.[4] The company operates a wind turbine at Glen Tolsta with the profits being used to benefit the Tolsta community.
Wildlife in the area includes the skua, the kittiwake and the herring gull.[5] Seals, dolphins, porpoises and occasionally whales can be seen offshore.[5]
References
- "Lewis, North Tolsta". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- "Tolsta Beach (Tràigh Ghearadha)". The Isle of Lewis. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- "Buth Tholastaidh | ……for the village, not for profit…………". www.buththolastaidh.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Tolsta Community Development Ltd". www.tcdl.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- "Tolsta Head". Visit Outer Hebrides. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to North Tolsta. |
- North Tolsta Historical Society
- Visitor's guide for the Isle of Lewis
- Website of the Western Isles Council with links to other resources
- Disabled access to Lewis for residents and visitors
- Encyclopædia Britannica. 16 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 525–526. .