Our Lady of the Isles Statue, South Uist

Our Lady of the Isles

Set on the western slope of Rueval immediately beside the main A865 road near the northern tip of South Uist, stands a striking memorial known as Our Lady of the Isles. This slender white granite pillar is shaped as a modern interpretation of a Madonna and Child.

History

The statue was crafted by sculptor Hew Lorimer, OBE of Edinburgh (1907-1993) and officially dedicated in 1958. It stands nine metres (30 feet) high and weighs 40 tons. Lorimer is said to have modelled the Madonna's face after what he considered a typical island woman. The statue is known in Gaelic as Bana Thighearna nan Eilean or, alternatively, as Moire ro Naomh nan Eilean.

The statue was commissioned by Father John Morrison, who was also largely responsible for setting up the nearby Kildonan Museum, and paid for by subscription among the islanders.

Our Lady close-up

The statue's story is both political and religious. It was created against the backdrop of proposals by the Ministry of Defence to turn most of Uist into a military facility and missile testing range.

Local residents, led by Father Morrison, feared that this move would severely damage the islands' culture, language, and traditional way of life. South Uist, in particular had a large majority of Catholic residents, and the statue acted as a reminder of that cultural and religious tradition.

Local resistance to MoD plans was largely successful, though a much smaller testing range was erected. Our Lady of the Isles serves as a compelling memorial to local efforts to maintain and preserve their way of life.

There is a small parking area below the statue and you can walk around the base and admire the view from several strategically placed benches. The statue is illuminated at night.

Our Lady of the Isles was listed as a Category B building in 2007.