Modern Mysteries

Scottish islanders are being driven mad by pervasive 'Hebridean Hum'

By T.K. Randall
April 30, 2025

Image: Breasclete, Isle of Lewis
Credit: Robert Watson / CC BY-SA 2.0 (adapted) The din, which resembles a monotonous humming sound, can reportedly be heard both day and night and is particularly audible on the Isle of Lewis - especially on the island's east coast.

Some residents have been driven round the bend by the noise and are unable to sleep at night.

"It's impossible to ignore - it is like somebody shouting in your face constantly for attention," Dr Lauren-Grace Kirtley, who has started a Facebook page dedicated to the phenomenon, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland.

"It is a very low humming, droning, pulsating noise. It's incredibly intrusive and distressing. I haven't slept a night through for weeks and have problems concentrating.""I get a lot of fluttering in my ears. It's making me dizzy and giving me headaches."

The island's local council has admitted to having received complaints concerning the noise.

"As with any other reports of this nature the [council's] environmental health team is investigating and will liaise with those who have reported issues," said a spokesperson.

So far, possible explanations have ranged from the sound of wind blowing through a TV mast to the low-frequency sounds produced by mating fish.

To date, however, no concrete answer has been found.

Source: BBC News

Tags: Noise