Balivanich
| Balivanich | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Baile a' Mhanaich | |
  Balivanich Balivanich shown within the Outer Hebrides | |
| Council area | Na h-Eileanan Siar |
|---|---|
| Lieutenancy area | Western Isles |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF BENBECULA |
| Postcode district | HS7 |
| Dialling code | 01870 |
| Police | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Na h-Eileanan an Iar |
| Scottish Parliament | Na h-Eileanan an Iar |
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Balivanich (Baile a' Mhanaich) is a village on the island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. It is the main centre for Benbecula and the adjacent islands of North Uist, South Uist and several smaller islands. The name meaning "town of the monk" possibly relates to a monastery which may have been founded here as early as during the 6th century. Teampull Chaluim Chille, an ancient church dedicated to Columba, might have been part of this monastery; its remains can still be seen south of the village.[1] An airfield to the north, built during World War II, became the control centre for the Hebrides rocket range, established in 1957 at the height of the Cold War. It is now Benbecula Airport.
The local council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) has offices in Balivanich, and there is also a Post Office, hospital, primary school and several shops and cafés.
Climate
A weather station has collected climate data for the island a short distance to the North East at Benbecula airport. As with the rest of the British Isles and Scotland, Balivanich experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters, and is particularly windy due to its position directly facing the North Atlantic.
| Climate data for Benbecula 6m asl, 1971-2000, Rainfall 1951-1980 (Weather station 1 mile (2 km) to the North of Balivanich) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 7.2 (45) |
7.3 (45.1) |
8.3 (46.9) |
10.0 (50) |
12.9 (55.2) |
14.5 (58.1) |
16.1 (61) |
16.2 (61.2) |
14.4 (57.9) |
12.0 (53.6) |
9.2 (48.6) |
7.8 (46) |
11.33 (52.38) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 2.5 (36.5) |
2.4 (36.3) |
3.1 (37.6) |
4.3 (39.7) |
6.6 (43.9) |
8.9 (48) |
11.1 (52) |
11.0 (51.8) |
9.2 (48.6) |
7.3 (45.1) |
4.6 (40.3) |
3.2 (37.8) |
6.18 (43.13) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 129 (5.08) |
86 (3.39) |
89 (3.5) |
62 (2.44) |
65 (2.56) |
76 (2.99) |
83 (3.27) |
83 (3.27) |
119 (4.69) |
139 (5.47) |
140 (5.51) |
132 (5.2) |
1,203 (47.36) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 40.3 | 70.6 | 114.7 | 174.0 | 201.5 | 195.0 | 142.6 | 151.9 | 114.0 | 77.5 | 48.0 | 27.9 | 1,361 |
| Source #1: YR.NO[2] | |||||||||||||
| Source #2: ScotClim[3] | |||||||||||||
References
- ↑ Catriona Garbutt, Jean Newman: "Teampull Chaluim Chille - Balivanich's Scheduled Monument" In: Am Pàipear - Balivanich - No. 315, April 2012, p. 20–21.
- ↑ "Benbecula 1971-2000 averages". YR.NO. Retrieved 03 Nov 2011.
- ↑ "Benbecula 1951-1980 averages". ScotClim. Retrieved 03 Nov 2011.
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Balivanich. |