Delivering Sustainable Coastal Management Solution through Community Engagement in Sensitive Environments: Case Studies from the Western Isles, UK

Introduction

On the 11th and 12th of January 2005, an extreme storm event struck the West Coast of

Scotland. The storm caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure, as well

as the natural environment. Large scale coastal erosion was recorded, roads were cut,

trees uprooted and widespread flooding was experienced. Communities on the

Western Isles (or Outer Hebrides), an Island chain off the west coast of Scotland

(Figure 1), were particularly badly affected due to their exposed location. On the

Western Isles the storm was manifest by winds of up to 92 knots (106.0 mph) (Angus

and Rennie, 2006), which coincided with a high spring tide and a large tidal surge