Our Lady of the Isles, Catholic monument on Rueval hill, South Uist, Scotland
Our Lady of the Isles is a granite Madonna and Child sculpture located on the western slope of Rueval hill in South Uist. The statue was carved to stand as a prominent religious monument on the island landscape.
Canon John Morrison commissioned the sculpture in 1957 as a response to the Ministry of Defense's proposals for missile testing on the island. The monument was created to assert the island's Catholic identity against these military developments.
The Madonna's face reflects features of local island women, grounding the artwork in the community it serves. This connection between the sculpture and the people who live here gives the monument a personal meaning beyond its religious purpose.
The statue is reached by a paved path from the A865 road, making access straightforward for visitors. The exposed hilltop location means weather can change quickly, so visitors should dress for wind and rain.
The sculpture is the largest religious statue in the Outer Hebrides, weighing roughly 40 tons of granite. Its cultural importance earned it listing as a protected historic monument, recognizing its significance to the islands.
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