The Hebridean islands, specifically Lewis and Harris, maintain a unique cultural identity, particularly regarding the observance of Sundays. Life on these islands contrasts sharply with the norms observed in the rest of Scotland and, indeed, the broader UK. The local community adheres to a rhythm of life that has been relatively unchanged for decades. On Sundays, residents experience a day of rest that can seem antiquated by modern standards; swimming pools, sports centers, and most businesses, including public transportation, are closed down for the day.
Central to Sunday culture on the islands is attendance at church services. The Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland dominate the religious landscape, echoing a longstanding tradition of devout Christian worship among the islanders. According to the most recent Census data, about 35.3% of the population identifies with the Church of Scotland, highlighting an entrenched religious presence.
A notable shift in this Sunday observance came with the recent controversy over the seven-day operation of a Tesco supermarket in Stornoway, Lewis. This development marked a significant historical pivot in the community’s traditional lifestyle, leading to mixed reactions from the residents. Some viewed it as a benign evolution in their commercial landscape, while others protested against it, emphasizing their desire to preserve the sanctity of the Sabbath.
One of the key tenets of Sunday observance on Lewis and Harris is the faithful adherence to the Sabbath, as prescribed in the Bible’s Ten Commandments. Historically, islanders took various measures to respect the day, including refraining from hanging laundry outside, and some committed to ensuring that children’s swings were chained up to maintain tranquility on Sundays. Dr. James Englinton, a senior lecturer in Reformed Theology at Edinburgh University with familial ties to Lewis, offered insights into this culture. He expressed that the often-cited image of dourness surrounding island observance is a misunderstanding, disingenuously portraying the Sabbath as restrictive rather than a vital communal practice.
Dr. Englinton emphasizes that Lewis showcases an authentic representation of a local culture that adopts a day of rest, a practice that many in mainland Scotland find peculiar but is standard across parts of Europe. The Rev. Hector Morrison, from Lewis and currently the principal of Highland Theological College, links the longevity of Sunday traditions to a series of evangelical revivals that swept through the islands until at least the 1970s, creating a strong foundation of piety among the community.
Notably, the past two decades have witnessed considerable transformations in the observance of Sundays on the islands. Traditionally, Sundays were marked by barrenness in commerce and activity, but changes have started to take effect. Restaurants in hotels have started to open on Sundays, and even a petrol station has initiated operations. The opening of commercial flights in 2002 introduced a new dynamic to life on the islands; locals met the first flight with protests condemning Sunday travel as detrimental to both individual souls and the fabric of island life.
Moreover, a significant moment in the more recent history of Sundays on Lewis occurred in 2018, when a screening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” marked the first Sunday cinema showing, leading to small protests from traditionalists. Mixed reactions to such developments reflect a broader community divide. Individual opinions are varied; for instance, Lizzie Aucott-Hall supports the shift toward more Sunday openings, citing the town’s pre-existing activity as justification, while Ruth Pickard expresses zealous opposition, lamenting the erosion of the tranquility that attracted her family to the islands decades ago.
This debate, as highlighted by local journalist Donald Lamont, is nuanced and cannot be simplified into a binary of religious versus secular perspectives; rather, it encapsulates a spectrum of feelings that include nostalgia, ambivalence, and enthusiasm for change. The ongoing discourse surrounding the opening of Tesco and other commercial enterprises illustrates the broader struggle between tradition and modernity on the Hebridean islands, raising questions about the preservation of cultural identity in the face of inexorable change.
