Western Isles
- proper noun
:
Islas Occidentales
- Fishing is a key industry in the Western Isles of Scotland, supporting local communities.
Examples
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The stunning landscapes of the Western Isles attract many tourists each year.
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Many unique species of wildlife can be found in the Western Isles, particularly on its uninhabited islands.
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- And it's the Western Isles of Scotland.
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If you take the language, if you had a Gaelic speaker from the Western Isles or a Welsh speaker, while they perhaps couldn't have a conversation with an Iron Age warrior, there's every possibility that they could make themselves understood.
Synonyms
2
7.1
A group of more than 500 islands off the west coast of Scotland
A group of over 500 islands off Scotland's west coast called the Outer Hebrides
A group of islands off the northwest coast of Scotland known for rough hills, wild beaches, and Gaelic culture
A group of more than 500 islands off the west coast of Scotland
A group of over 500 islands off Scotland's west coast known for wild coasts and wildlife
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'western' (to the west) + 'isles' (islands), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will understand it denotes islands located to the west. Although it is a specific place name (the Outer Hebrides) that learners may not know by reference, the locational/denotative meaning is transparent and follows standard cross‑linguistic patterns.
Etymology
Western Isles comes from a simple map picture: these islands lie to the west of Scotland's mainland. People began calling the group the 'Western' islands, now often called the 'Outer Hebrides', so the name simply tells you their location.