I.

Introduction

Hebrides or Western Isles, archipelago of about 500 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of western Scotland. The islands are divided into two groups, the Outer Hebrides and the Inner Hebrides. The groups are separated by the North Minch and Little Minch straits (see The Minch) and by the Sea of the Hebrides. The Outer Hebrides are often called the Western Isles.