Breasclete
Village in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.[citation needed]
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 |
History
Breasclete has several stone circles,[2][3][4] as well as various cairns.[5][6] 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.[7][8] 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.[9] The local pier, situated west of the settlement, was built in the early 20th century, and has a quay of similar construction.[10]
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.[citation needed]
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.[11]
Other businesses located in the area include Scottish Fish Farm who have a number of sites in East Loch Roag,[12] and Hebridean Soap who operate from their base in Breasclete.[13]
Traditional industries like Harris Tweed also offer employment, and crofting is at the heart of the community.
