In the 2001 census, each island overall was over 50% Gaelic speaking – South Uist (71%), Harris (69%), Barra (68%), North Uist (67%), Lewis (56%) and Benbecula (56%). With 59.3% of Gaelic speakers or a total of 15,723 speakers, this made the Outer Hebrides the most strongly coherent Gaelic speaking area in Scotland."Census 2001 Scotland: Gaelic speakers by council area" Comunn na Gàidhlig. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
In the 2001, census, each island overall was over 50% Gaelic speaking :– South Uist (71%), Harris (69%), Barra (68%), North Uist (67%), Lewis (56%) and Benbecula (56%). With 59.3% of Gaelic speakers or a total of 15723 speakers, this made the Outer Hebrides the most strongly coherent Gaelic speaking area in Scotland."Census 2001 Scotland Gaelic speakers by council area" Comunn na Gàidhlig. Retrieved 28 May 2010.