Uig ( ), also known as Sgìr' Ùig, is a civil parish and community in the west of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The Parish of Uig is one of the four civil parishes of the Isle of Lewis. It contains the districts of Carloway, East Uig, Bernera and West Uig (commonly known as Uig district or Uig Lewis). The name derives from the Norse word Vik meaning 'a bay'. Uig District Geography Uig (Lewis) otherwise known as West Uig is the largest and most sparsely populated district of the Isle of Lewis. It contains the highest point on the island, Mealasbhal () and also another six of the highest ten peaks. The deepest lake, Loch Suaineabhat at , is the deepest offshore lake in the British Isles. The coast has significant inlets notably Little Loch Roag, Langabhat, Loch Thamnabhagh, Loch Resort and Uig Bay. Uig Bay contains a vast strand of shell beach which produces a fertile "machair" fringe. Other shell sand beaches and machair are found at Tràigh na Beirgh, Bhaltos, Cliff, Capadale, Mangurstadh and Mealastadh. The Atlantic west coast from Gallan Head to Loch Resort is dominated by cliffs and many small chasms known as "geodhs". Inland the land contains a glaciated profile with thin acidic soil and large rock outcrops of Lewisian gneiss. Of geological note is the discovery of the largest sapphire ever found in the British Isles. The stone discovered in 1995 is on display at the National Museum of Scotland. History Evidence of extensive Norse settlement have been uncovered most notably through interpretation of the place names in the district but also through archaeological discoveries some of which are on display at the Uig Museum. The name Uig is generally accepted to be derived from the old Norse "Vík". Military service – Uig district was a fruitful recruiting ground for soldiers in the 78th Seaforth Highlanders for the Napoleonic Wars and were notably recruited in four waves in 1778, 1793, 1794 and 1804. Most notable in battle honours won was the victory at Maida, Italy 1806 and Java in 1811. Clearances – Despite military service and the ultimate sacrifice by many, the district was the subject of widespread evictions in the nineteenth century to make way for enlarged sheep farms and sporting estates. Villages around Uig Bay that were cleared were: Capadale, Pennydonald, Baileneacail, Baileghreusaich and Earastadh and the