Breasclete
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.[2]
Breasclete
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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,[3][4][5] as well as various cairns.[6][7] 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.[8][9] 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.[10] The local pier, situated west of the settlement, was built in the early 20th century, and has a quay of similar construction.[11]
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.
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.[12]
Other businesses located in the area include Scottish Fish Farm who have a number of sites in East Loch Roag,[13] and Hebridean Soap who operate from their base in Breasclete.[14]
Traditional industries like Harris Tweed also offer employment, and crofting is at the heart of the community.
References
- "Details of Breasclete". Scottish Places. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "A858". Sabre. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "Lewis, Breasclete". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "Callanish, Breasclete Park (New Park)". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "Breasclete, Cnoc Gearraidh Nighean Choinnich". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "Lewis, Breasclete, Cnoc Na H-Inghinn A' Ruaidha". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "Lewis, Breasclete". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports (SAIR)". Archaeology Data Service. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "Lewis, Callanish, Olcote, Breasclete Park". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "Vol 13 (2005): Excavation of a Bronze Age kerbed cairn at Olcote, Breasclete, Near Calanais, Isle of Lewis | Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports". journals.socantscot.org. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- "Lewis, Breasclete, Pier". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- "BASF Pharma (Callanish) Limited". www.basf.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- "Producing Scottish salmon with pride and passion". The Scottish Salmon Company. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
- "Welcome". Hebridean Soap Company. Retrieved 5 October 2011.