47854: Tolsta, Lewis

Tolastadh; Tolstadh; Tolastadh bho Thuath; Tolastadh ‘o Thuath; Tolasta Bhatuath

Tolsta is a district on the east coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, lying to the west of Tolsta Head, 12 miles northeast of Stornoway. It is the area covered by Comann Eachdraidh Tholastaidh bho Thuath North Tolsta Historical Society.

The primary settlement today is the crofting township of North Tolsta Tolastadh bho Thuath, with the smaller township of New Tolsta Am Baile Ùr or Baile Ùr Tholastaidh located just to the north and Glen Tolsta Gleann Tholastaidh a couple of miles away to the southwest.

The history of the area is rather complicated, with changes in the names of the settlements potentially leading to confusion. The area where New Tolsta is today was originally Old North Tolsta Tack. It was first made into crofts in 1830 but this township (the original Tolastadh bho Thuath, referred to as Old North Tolsta on the Hebridean Connections website) only survived for about 20 years; it was cleared to make way for Tolsta Farm. The farm was broken into crofts again, in 1922, and became the present-day settlement of New Tolsta. 

Also in 1830 Old South Tolsta Tack Tolastadh bho Dheas was broken into crofts, the township created is referred to as Old South Tolsta on this website. It was completely re-lotted, in 1851, and although initially known as South Tolsta later became North Tolsta, the name by which it is officially known today and referred to on this website. Different organisations adopted this change of name at different times.

The entire Tolsta area is sometimes referred to colloquially as North Tolsta. This distinguishes it from Tolsta Chaolais on the west coast of Lewis.

There are three main beaches in Tolsta: Garry Beach, Traigh Mhor and Giordale Beach.

Satellite Image